Nearly everyone is trying to be more frugal lately, and that can mean cutting spending on nonessentials, like entertainment. Never fear; instead of heading to the bookstore, why not get reacquainted with your local library? The Jacksonville Public Library is a fantastic resource; with 21 branches spread throughout the city, you’re sure to find any but the most obscure titles. Of course, the libraries offer a lot more than reading material. Here’s a sampling of what’s going on at the various locations around town:
Main Library (303 N. Laura St.). Located in a handsome building in the urban core, facing Hemming Park, this is the largest public library in Florida. The ground floor features both a cafė and a bookstore (proceeds directly benefit the library). Amenities include books on tape, computers with Internet access, wi-fi, videos and DVDs, and meeting rooms. The fourth floor houses several special collections, including local genealogy records, resources related to the life and works of composer Frederick Delius, and an African-American collection. Programs include exhibits from local artists, interactive storytime for young children, videogame night for teenagers, film screenings, computer classes, and live music. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Southeast Regional (10599 Deerwood Park Blvd.). This is the branch I frequent, located between Southside Avenue and Gate Parkway. Renovated and expanded in 2005, this library features a tall children’s library, self-checkout stations, 40 computer stations with Internet access, wi-fi, books on tape and CD, DVDs for rent, a teen reading room, and community meeting rooms. Programs include weekly storytime for children from 0 to 5, a Saturday anime club for teens, and meetings for various adult groups such as a monthly book club and the Toastmasters. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Sunday.
South Mandarin Regional (12125 San Jose Blvd.). Conveniently located 2 miles from I-295, the South Mandarin branch hosts the Freedom Shrine, a display of thirty documents distinguished to American history, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address. This library has self-checkout stations, computers with Internet access, wi-fi, meeting and multipurpose rooms, videos and DVDs, and audiobooks on tape and CD. Programs include an adult book club and a teen anime club. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Beaches Regional (600 Third St, Neptune Beach). Serving the beach communities, this library has self-checkout stations, computers with Internet access, wi-fi, meeting rooms, videos and DVDs, and audiobooks on tape and CD. Programs include a Saturday Falun Dafa group, several weekly craft and storytime activities for children, monthly movie marathons (May’s is devoted to acclaimed anime director Hayao Miyazaki), and a monthly photography club. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
West Regional (1425 Chaffee Rd S). Located on the Westside, this branch features a unique drive-thru window, where patrons can return or renew items and pick up new items on reserve. There are also 70 public computers with Internet access, wi-fi, meeting rooms, videos and DVDs, a separate teen dwelling, and audiobooks on tape and CD. Programs include weekly preschool storytime, a weekly summer program for school-age children, a basic computer skills program,a teen videogame program, and an adult book club featuring African-American authors. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Sunday.
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