Love this library. I have been going here since I was a child and it was great then and still great now.
“ ”
Breanna C. Argyle Branch Library
The people of Jacksonville and Duval County faced challenges on many fronts this year— education and employment, health and wellness, social and spiritual, financial security and independence—and across all aspects of life they needed information they could trust, and places and technology to access, learn, and share it with others.
Jacksonville Public Library continued its long tradition as a trusted community space, helping its members find answers to their questions, make better choices for themselves and their families, and solve problems to enrich their lives and their neighborhoods.
In 2022, the Library leveraged its collection, technology, spaces, programming, and expertise to fulfill our mission inside and outside Library facilities. While borrowing of physical items and meeting and study space bookings rose, the community’s use of the Library’s digital collections nearly doubled. At the same time, nearly a half-million more people came to the Library this year than last, with many locations exceeding pre-pandemic levels. More cardholders attended author talks, writers’ workshops, and other events in FY22. It is clear that the people of Jacksonville were eager for meaningful opportunities to enhance their knowledge, understand their world and succeed.
The Library acted to address the community’s need for publicly accessible technology by developing valuable, grant-funded projects like the Memory Lab at the Main Library, and initiating a laptop and Wi-Fi hotspot lending program, piloted at branches serving neighborhoods where at-home connectivity was lowest.
Physical space enhancement included renovations at Highlands and Charles Webb Wesconnett libraries resulting in an immediate increase in use, while the Board of Trustees and Library administration worked with the Duval County School Board to obtain the old Brentwood Elementary School for future use as a branch. On the far northeast side, architecture firm PQH Group was retained to plan a new branch serving Oceanway, New Berlin, and surrounding areas.
We are grateful to the Library’s affinity groups—the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library, and the branch-level Friends of the Library groups—who generously contributed their time, energy, and funding to enhance services, branches and the system as a whole. Through their tireless efforts, the Library made an impact on the community it serves.
The Board of Trustees and the Library’s staff recognize the responsibilities entrusted to them by Mayor Curry, the Jacksonville City Council, and—most importantly—the citizens of Duval. In a world still finding its future path through uncertainty and confusion, it is a great honor to be part of an institution that lights that path and gives Jacksonville residents access to the tools and resources that drive a lifetime of learning so that we can all prosper as One Community—One City—One Library
Chair, Board of Library Trustees Tim
Chief Librarian & Library Director
In 2022, some of you were focused on helping your children succeed in school so they can have rich and fulfilling lives. Others wanted to preserve your memories and the history of your families and our city. And as the world continued to rebound after the pandemic, many of you just wanted to connect with your community again. You looked to the Library, and we value the opportunity to bring you closer to your goals.
In the pages that follow, you’ll see how you and your neighbors found what you were looking for at the Library. From world-class author events to writing workshops to new spaces for kids and more, we loved seeing every smiling face and hearing every thoughtful question.
We look forward to building on this experience in 2023 and for years to come, so we can always help you start here, and go anywhere.
Jacksonville Public Library is here for you. Our staff works to enrich your life, help you build community, and give you the tools and guidance for you to be successful in whatever path you wish to take.
Came in to get a card... we had an idea the library was a gem, but had no idea till Julie opened it all up to us. ”
Dustin M. Beaches Branch Library
The Library provided access in unique ways. We partnered with several literacy-committed organizations through ReadJax, a community collaboration that helps all children in Jacksonville read on grade level through the third grade—that critical year when they fully transition from learning to read to reading to learn. By working together, we were able to expand our reach far beyond the Library's walls and pool our resources to bring author and reading superstars like Ty Allan Jackson and Matt de la Pena to town to inspire and engage children and parents alike.
The Library also took the reins of JaxKids Book Club from Kid's Hope Alliance (KHA), a reading initiative that started nearly 20 years ago. The Library distributed backpacks filled with books with locally-centered themes and settings to more than 8,000 kindergarten-bound children for free, helping them develop a love for reading. For many of these children, these might be the only age-appropriate books in their homes, regardless of their family's household income. This program is supported by eleven local businesses and organizations that all share a deep commitment to developing a community of young readers.
The Main Library also played a critical role in helping the community deal with the difficulties of COVID-19 when in August, it closed so the lifesaving Regeneron treatment could be provided to those suffering. More than 11,000 people received treatment, helping minimize their symptoms and keeping them from needing to seek care at local hospitals. The Main Library reopened in December to the delight of Library customers, and by the end of January, the location was back to its previous traffic level.
Public libraries are committed to providing free and open access to the things the community needs so that people learn, collaborate, and grow.
My kids and my neighbor’s kid love to have me read them the assigned storybooks that go along with the Junior Artist Kits. They’re a lifesaver during these tough times of the pandemic…
Jaclyn S. Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library
We curated interactive and learning opportunities with world-class, New York Times Bestselling authors, including Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love), Brit Bennett (The Vanishing Half), Alyssa Day (local author with more than a million books sold), and Chris Barton (Dazzle Ships and Whoosh!).
Hundreds of aspiring writers and creators learned and practiced their crafts with New York Times Bestselling Author Elizabeth Gilbert and many other authors at writer’s workshops, and the Library was the site of the inaugural Duval Comic and Zine fest, where people learned how to begin their journeys to publication.
In celebration of the city of Jacksonville’s Bicentennial, not only did nearly 200 of you spend time with local historian Emily Lisska, learning about the history and heritage of your city, but so many also contributed stories and profiles of Jaxons past and present to the Library’s Biographical Sketch collection, preserving even more local history for future generations to enjoy.
People turned to the Library to provide them with high‑quality information and experiences.
I love this Library; my son grew up coming to this Library and I'm very grateful to the people who have worked there and who have helped my son develop into a well educated young man.
Gary S. Argyle Branch Library
Seeing all the happy children and families rush in as we cut the ribbons on the two completely redesigned and rebuilt children’s areas at Charles Webb Wesconnett and Highlands Regional libraries was heartwarming. And when we looked at the results—children’s borrowing and program attendance doubled in the first 60 days—we knew the projects were hugely successful. Children and families easily and comfortably enjoyed books, computers, arts and crafts, storytimes, and more in bright, fun, flexible spaces made just for kids.
When we had the chance to connect with the community outside the walls of the library and meet you where you were, we jumped at the chance! We partnered with KHA to bring our Story Journeys program to more than 2,000 children among 47 summer camps each week during June and July. All told, the campers logged over 28,000 days read, or 77 years of reading time. More than 81% met or exceeded their reading goal (“Reading 20 minutes a day paves the way!”).
Friends of the Library groups were instrumental in connecting the Library with the community. A significant contribution was made by hosting book sales. The Friends of Jacksonville Public Library, Friends of Beaches Branch Library, Friends of Murray Hill Library, Friends of South Mandarin Branch Library,
and Friends of Mandarin Library all held sales during the year, raising money for library programs, staff development, and youth activities.
Friends groups invited library neighbors in by extending the Library's reach into local events and activities. The Friends of the Murray Hill Library joined the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch for the neighborhood's Murray Hill-O-Ween celebration, boosting library use by 10% in the weeks following the event. In the Riverside Avondale area, Friends of Willowbranch participated in the hands-on beautification of the area by working in the community garden and lighting up the streets with luminaria during the holidays.
The Friends of Brentwood Library enhanced the lives of Brentwood children and families by hosting events like a Back-to-School Bash, Trunk or Treat, and Storytime with Santa. The group also held the inaugural James Weldon Johnson Young Writers Festival, inspiring dozens of children to develop or hone their passion for writing and creativity.
To help you build the community in which you want to live, the Library found ways to make spaces inviting and engaging.
The library is my joy, my sanity, and my peace. I bring my children here and there are plenty of books and educational activities for them.
Tina D. Dallas Graham Branch Library
Highlands and Charles Webb Wesconnett Children’s Library Reopenings. The long-awaited renovations of the children’s libraries at Highlands Regional Library and Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library were completed this
year. The community came out to break in the new space in events that featured Jacksonville Jaguars’ Jaxson Deville, the Jacksonville Zoo, face painters and more.
These last few years have led you to seek out new alternative solutions to accomplish your goals. This year, we were thrilled to receive a grant from the State to offer laptops and WiFi hotspots for at-home use—extending the reach of the library the last mile to residents’ homes. As a result, you searched for jobs, stayed connected with distant friends and family, and accessed the Internet on your terms. These items, piloted at branches servicing areas with the greatest digital divide, immediately became one of the most in-demand items in the library. In the first two months more than 70 devices were checked out, 460 people became library cardholders, and 540 inactive library customers started to use the library again.
As an organization dedicated to preserving information, we developed the Memory Lab so you and your neighbors can digitize all your precious photos and documents for free. Older media—film reels, magnetic video tape and audio tape—get damaged and deteriorate over time, and can be expensive to have these things turned into digital files. Thanks to a federal grant administered by the State of Florida, the Library was able to purchase equipment that customers can use to digitize their memories so they can store them safely and share them with their families and friends for generations to come. Some have even donated the aging media or digital copies to the Library so we can add them
to the immensely popular Florida Collection that researchers and scholars are always perusing.
During the summer, parents look for ways to keep their kids engaged, entertained and enriched, without breaking the bank. By giving kids top-notch programs and activities and incentives for reading—all for free—students kept up their educational progress to go into the next school year ready to learn. This year kids logged nearly 130,000 days reading for at least 20 minutes each day.
We expanded the ways you can spend your time with the library with new technology and the all new Memory Lab.
Just wanted to let you know your Talking Books for the blind has changed my sister’s world.
Marty M.
Memory Lab at the Main Library. A new service started this year in the Special Collections department at the Main Library thanks to a federal grant. The Memory Lab enables customers like Richard Marchionda to view film from his days
playing football at the Bolles School, and has helped many customers digitize their old VHS tapes, audio reels, cassettes, records and more to preserve, share, and enjoy them.
How did Jacksonville use its libraries this year? From borrowing materials to reading throughout the summer, you showed up to learn, listen and laugh.
4.2 M
Items borrowed this year. Enough books to cover the floors of all the buildings at St. John’s Town Center.
Overall, materials borrowing was up more than 11% this year. And while borrowing of physical materials is increasing steadily, nearly twice as many people are borrowing e-books, audiobooks and streaming movies than using physical collections. We love being everywhere you need us to be!
27,453
New library cards issued. Almost the population of Jacksonville Beach: 28,859 people.
New library cardholders were up by more than 50% this year. We know a lot of this comes from you sharing the great library experiences you have with your friends, but we’re also excited that people can get a library card online in just a minute or two—easy peasy.
79,842
People attended programs. Lined up they’d reach from the beach to Baldwin.
You see all the great programs we offered this year, and attendance almost TRIPLED this year! We’ve got plenty more in store, so keep an eye out for more great author talks, writer’s labs, life skills sessions, and of course, storytimes and more.
People visited the library. Enough to sell out 27 Jags home games at TIAA Bank Field.
As popular as the digital library was, we just loved seeing your smiling faces. Library visitor numbers were up by 25% this year. It’s great to see our old friends returning after being away for a few years, and great to meet new friends.
Hours of summer reading by kids in Duval county. Equal to 130,000 days or 354 years of reading!
And last but by no means least, we are honored to host Jacksonville’s children during the summer so they can have fun and stay on track to make the next school year smooth sailing. Kids beat their summer reading goals by more than 10% this year. Having happier, more confident kids that are prepared to take on the world is one of the great treasures of library service.
Virginia Berg
Chair, December 2021 – Present
Vice Chair, October 2021 – November 2021
Carlo Fassi
Chair, October 2021 – November 2021
Fernando Meza
Vice Chair, December 2021 – Present
Mario Payne
Board Secretary, October 2021 – September 2022
Jill Langford Dame
Chair, Governance Committee
Steven Eagerton
Kimano Edwards
Marc Hardesty
Chair, Capital Improvements Committee
Donnie Horner III
Molly McLendon
Celia Nass
Chair, Finance Committee
Alexander Pantinakis
Gerald Thomas
The Honorable Danny Becton
City Council Liaison, District 11
October 2021 – September 2022
The Honorable Rory Diamond
City Council Liaison, District 13
October 2021 – June 2022
The Honorable Matt Carlucci
City Council Liaison, At-Large Group 4
July 2022 – September 2022
Dr. Johnny Gaffney
Mayor’s Liaison to Boards & Commissions
Tia Leathers
Duval County Public Schools
October 2021 – January 2022
Brandon Mack
Duval County Public Schools
Feburary 2022 – September 2022
Mari Ganues
Kids Hope Alliance
MAYOR
Lenny Curry
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Brian Hughes
DEPUTY CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Stephanie Burch
October 2021 – February 2022
Dr. Charles Moreland
February 2022 – September 2022
CHIEF OF STAFF
Jordan Elsbury
October 2021 – November 2021
Leeann Krieg
November 2021 – September 2022
CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
The Honorable Samuel “Sam” Newby
October 2021 – June 2022
The Honorable Terrance E. Freeman
July 2022 – September 2022
Tim Rogers
Chief Librarian & Library Director
Gretchen Mitchell
Deputy Director Support Services
Julie McNeil
Deputy Director Public Services
Ray Albury
Assistant Director Facilities
Lynne Baldwin Regional Manager
Chris Boivin
Assistant Director Community Relations & Marketing
Amber Holley
Assistant Director Learning Services
Lynn Jacobson
Assistant Director Systems & Technology
Leslie Jones
Assistant Director Finance
Keli Likins
Senior Manager of the Main Library
Stephanie Miller
Senior Manager for the Collection
Jackie Spiritas
Regional Manager
JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Scott Evans
Executive Director & Chief Development Officer
Kathy McIlvaine
Board Chair
Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library
David Smith, President
Friends of Beaches Branch Library
Marianna Kane, President
Friends of Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library
Jay Stuckey, III, President
Friends of Bradham and Brooks Library
Antonia Bryant, Interim President
Friends of Brentwood Branch Library
Ms. Sharon Coon, Founder & Chair
Friends of Mandarin Library
Ted Hornoi-Centerwall, President
Friends of Maxville Branch Library
Kim North, President
Friends of South Mandarin Branch Library
Kenneth Tucker, President
Friends of Willow Branch Library
Roxanne Henkle, President
Main Library
303 North Laura Street
"Lots of books, cool art, friendly staff."
Argyle Branch
7973 Old Middleburg Road South
"Very nice and helpful!"
Beaches Branch 600 3rd Street, Neptune Beach "Amazing!"
Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch
918 Edgewood Avenue South
"Clean, quiet, and amazing staff!"
Olga L. Bradham and Etta L. Brooks Branch
1755 Edgewood Avenue West
"Very nice and friendly staff!"
Brentwood Branch
3725 Pearl Street
"The GREATEST library!"
Raiford A. Brown Eastside Branch
1390 Harrison Street
"Great little local public library."
Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional 6887 103rd Street
"Great library. The kids section is cool."
Dallas Graham Branch
2304 Myrtle Avenue North
"Staff is really nice and helpful, patient and kind!"
Highlands Regional
1826 Dunn Avenue
"Excellent venue for neighborhood meetings."
Mandarin Branch
3330 Kori Road
"Adoro este lugar!"
Maxville Branch
8375 Maxville Boulevard
"Maxwell is the best library in jville."
Pablo Creek Regional
13295 Beach Boulevard
"Beautiful large facility, friendly service."
Regency Square Branch 9900 Regency Square Boulevard
"Very helpful staff. Will definitely be returning."
San Marco Branch
1513 LaSalle Street
"Nice people and ample parking."
Southeast Regional 10599 Deerwood Park Boulevard
"My go-to library in Jax."
South Mandarin Branch
12125 San Jose Boulevard
"Excellent service, I will never go anywhere else!"
University Park Branch 3435 University Boulevard North
"They are so friendly, family atmosphere."
West Branch
1425 Chaffee Road South
"Has always been my favorite library!"
Westbrook Branch 2809 Commonwealth Avenue
"I love it because they interact with the kids."
Willow Branch 2875 Park Street
"The Staff is AWESOME"
JPL Express Oceanway 12215 Sago Avenue West
For all questions call: 904.255.BOOK (2665)
For location hours visit: jaxpubliclibrary.org/locations
Thank you to the hundreds of people and local organizations that donated to the Library this fiscal year! Your generosity means the Library can offer engaging programs to help you, your family and your community grow and thrive.
Get a Library Card and set up your library internet account and stop missing out on what the library has to offer.
Harald M. San Marco Branch Library
