Upcoming Events

Preschool times are open to any child who can sit for longer stories and participate in our circle time, follow active songs, counting and colors in Spanish. Come for songs, stories, and fun. We look forward to seeing you.

Also check out our other Wednesday Little Ones Classes: Baby & Toddler times are for children up to 18 months of age. Craft time is open to all children and focuses on teaching scissor, glue, and coloring skills.

Spark a love of reading and learning at this storytime class for children and their caregivers. We’ll read picture books, sing interactive songs, and practice important pre-school skills, ending with a themed craft designed to work on fine motor skills. This class is designed with Every Child Ready to Read initiatives in mind.

This class is generally recommended for ages 3 and up.

Join us for our November meeting where we will be discussing A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult.

The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center — a women’s reproductive health services clinic — its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage. After rushing to the scene, Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, sets up a perimeter and begins making a plan to communicate with the gunman. As his phone vibrates with incoming text messages he glances at it and, to his horror, finds out that his fifteen-year-old daughter, Wren, is inside the clinic. But Wren is not alone. She will share the next and tensest few hours of her young life with a cast of unforgettable characters: A nurse who calms her own panic in order to save the life of a wounded woman. A doctor who does his work not in spite of his faith but because of it, and who will find that faith tested as never before. A pro-life protester, disguised as a patient, who now stands in the crosshairs of the same rage she herself has felt. A young woman who has come to terminate her pregnancy. And the disturbed individual himself, vowing to be heard.

Today, from 1:30 – 3:00pm, the Bookmobile can be found at the Publix at Palencia Commons, 7462 US Hwy 1 N, Saint Augustine, FL  32095.  Check out books, movies, music and much more!

Artists! Are you looking to get honest feedback on your work? Do you suspect your friends and family members are telling you what they think you want to hear instead of what you NEED to hear? Come to the Main Library for an unbiased and honest critique of your work, provided by members of the St. Augustine Art Critique Group.

The purpose of the St Augustine’s Art Critique Group is to help artists learn and improve their skills. Improvement occurs through self-critique and constructive group reflection of paintings participants bring for review. The group began in 1997 by Bill Leonard, one of St Augustine’s renowned artists. The group welcomes artists of all levels and using any medium. This service is free and open to the public

It’s early release, so bring the kids to our craft event! Come into the Library to make Thanksgiving and Fall themed crafts. All crafting supplies are provided by the Friends of the Library. No registration necessary.

Kindergarten through 5th grade students and their caregivers are invited to join Challenge Island as we dive into hands-on projects incorporating STEAM skills! All materials are provided, no registration is required, and it’s free. Space is limited and all kids must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, please visit Challenge Island’s web site, https://challenge-island.com/firstcoast. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library Ponte Vedra Beach.

For grades 6-12, registration required. Make a beginner’s sewing project and build sewing skills. Class size is limited. Please visit Reference or call (904) 827-6960 to register. Registration ends October 7.

Learn the basics of dance from Ms. Akilah! This season, youth ages 3-17 will be introduced to several genres of dance. They will blend these styles into choreography for a winter recital. Registration is required for this free class. Please register online for the September 18 class, or call the library at 904-827-6900.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. This a weekly class beginning September 18. For more information, call Ms. Alex or Ms. Akilah at 904-827-6900.

Ever wanted to write a story? Come join us to learn how to get started! Join up with your literary peers to:

• write, discuss and share your work with other teens
• set challenging goals and work together to beat them
• help one another become better writers

Everyone has a story. Let us help you share your voice.

Please be sure to bring your preferred writing device (laptop, tablet, phone, notebook, typewriter, etc.).

Seating is limited so registration is required.

Middle and high-school students ages 11-18 are invited to get crafty with friends! Registration is required, but it’s free and all materials are provided! Bring your friends, makes new ones, enjoy snacks & music, and get creative! Registration is required either in person at the Reference Desk or by calling (904) 827-6950. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library Ponte Vedra Beach.

Have you joined the craze? Many adults are finding that coloring clubs for adults are a great way to reduce stress and meet new people. Create new art you can feel proud of while you de-stress and relax. Supplies will be provided, so pick out your design and start coloring!

Babytime is a special lap sit program for babies ages 0-18months. Join us around the Very Hungry Caterpillar carpet in the Randolph Caldecott Children’s Room at Main Library every Thursday morning at 10:15. Mr. Andy and Ms. Marcia will share songs, finger plays, action rhymes, puppets and more. Materials for this program are provided by The Friends of the Library.

Classes run from September 5th through November 21st.

For the safety of the smaller ones at Babytime, we would encourage children who are able to run and unable to sit still for Babytime to graduate up to our Toddler Time program. They are ready for more active movement and will probably enjoy Toddler Time much more.

Please join us Thursday mornings at 10:15am for a 30 minute lapsit storytime for babies from birth to 18 months and their caregivers.

Just for Babies is a for our youngest patrons and their caregivers.  For the first 15 minutes, we will share books, songs, fingerplays, puppets and more.  The last 15 minutes is a stay and play time which allows for interaction between babies and for caregivers to relax and get to know each other.

For the safety of the babies, we ask for caregivers to understand that older siblings are welcome but to please have them be mindful of the babies in the room.

Materials for this program are generously provided by our Friends of the Library.

Children and their caregivers are invited to get ready for school and to enjoy singing, dancing, stories, and more to boost Early Literacy and a love of libraries! The suggested target age is active walkers to 5 years old, but all ages are welcome. Each class is 30 minutes with a 15-minute “Stay and Play.”

Mr. Andy and Mrs. Marcia will host 2 Toddler storytimes each Thursday at Main Library. Join them in the large meeting room at 11am or catch the repeat performance at 11:30am. There will be singing, dancing and great stories. Toddler storytime is aimed at children ages 1-3, but all are welcome to join in the fun. Materials for this program are provided by The Friends of the Library.

Classes are held September 5th through November 21st.

Babies and caregivers are invited to encourage a love of reading between caregiver and baby through singing, action rhymes, and more! The suggested target age for this Class is infants through pre-walkers. For safety purposes, children who are active walkers and families with older children are encouraged to attend our Preschool Storytime Classes at 10:30am.

Mr. Andy and Mrs. Marcia will present a Toddler storytime program with the added bonus of ASL interpretation. There will be singing, dancing, shaky eggs and great stories too. Toddler storytime is aimed at children ages 1-3, but all are welcome to join in the fun. Materials for this program are provided by The Friends of the Library.

Storytime activities are presented with American Sign Language interpretation through partnership with the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and the ASL/English Interpretation Program of Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Classes will be held September 5th through November 21st.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. For adults ages 18+ only. Need some help improving your posture, increasing your flexibility, or developing your core strength? Come to the Main Library on Mondays and Thursdays and join in our FREE Pilates exercise class! Using principles based on the Pilates Method, instructor Susan will guide participants of any age through techniques that will help improve balance, stability, posture, coordination and muscle tone by isolating and working various muscle groups through range of motion exercises. This is a form of low-impact exercise that is excellent for people looking to start a new exercise regimen.

Our instructor, Susan, taught high school for over 25 years and now uses her teaching skills in Pilates instruction! She is a certified Pilates instructor with 2 years of instructional experience. You must bring a yoga mat. Please also bring a towel and bottled water. Wear comfortable clothes that let you stretch and move easily. For more information, please call the Main Library at 904.827.6940.

All levels are welcome to this Hatha yoga class which includes a guided flow of stretching, breathing and moving through yoga postures (asanas) in a mindful way. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a mat & towel (or stretch band or belt) and water. Mary Linn (200YTT) will guide you to listen to your body as you adjust and flow through your own practice — beginning or experienced.

Kids can come into the library for an art class which includes a hands on activity where they can create their very own masterpiece. These classes are open to all Home Schoolers and for After School Kids! No reservations are necessary – just bring your imagination! *All supplies are generously provided by the Friends of the Library.
November: Constellations
December: Trade Beads

Settle your mind and body as you sit in still quietness. This program is ideal for those interested in initial instruction as well as those looking for a group to sit with in a peaceful setting. Chairs are available for those who are not able to floor sit; otherwise, please bring your own cushion.

Please join us for this 2-week fairy gardening series with a fairy twist! Class will be held on Thursdays, November 14 & 21. This class is a family affair, for kids of all ages.

Please register for the 11/14 event, including the names of ALL participants.

Kids, ages 7-10, are encouraged to join our special edition of Main-iac Robotics Lab designed specifically for our younger builders. Each month we will learn how to build and program a particular robot using the Lego WeDo 2.0 system. This is a 1 hour program and space is limited so registration is required. We will have teams of kids working together exploring with the WeDo kits. For more information on this exciting new program, feel free to contact Youth Services Librarian, Andy Calvert, at 827-6943 or at acalvert@sjcfl.us. This program would not be possible without the generous support of our Friends of the Library and their fundraising efforts.

We have 3 programs this month featuring the same robot build.

Please only register for 1 of the 3 classes.

Are you interested in becoming a Friend of the Library? Maybe you are just curious to learn more about what our Friends do for the Library? All are welcome in the Friends Meeting.

All are welcome to join in the discussion of Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister. New members are always encouraged to participate in our lively meetings.

For the first female Pinkerton detective, respect is hard to come by. Danger, however, is not. In the tumultuous years of the Civil War, the streets of Chicago offer a woman mostly danger and ruin–unless that woman is Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective and a desperate widow with a knack for manipulation. Descending into undercover operations, Kate is able to infiltrate the seedy side of the city in ways her fellow detectives can’t. She’s a seductress, an exotic foreign medium, or a rich train passenger, all depending on the day and the robber, thief, or murderer she’s been assigned to nab.

Inspired by the real story of Kate Warne, this spirited novel follows the detective’s rise during one of the nation’s greatest times of crisis, bringing to life a fiercely independent woman whose forgotten triumphs helped sway the fate of the country.

Children of all ages are welcome at Family Storytime. Each week we explore a different theme through stories, non-fiction, puppets, and more. Music, movement, and a craft are part of the fun, too!

Gentle yoga is a great way to increase flexibility, lower stress, and improve energy. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat. This class is free, open to the public and offered by certified yoga instructor, Deborah Montana.

Join us every Friday for a fun Spanish/English storytime in the Children’s Department. We will have lapsits for babies, rhymes, stories, music, and more. This storytime is conducted in both English and Spanish and is geared toward children and parents learning Spanish, but all are welcome. Bienveniedos a todos!

Kids learn a variety of skills through play, such as how to share, take turns, and listen. The library has puzzles, puppets, magnets, toy trains, and more. Children are invited to stay and have fun, and adults can take some time to relax and catch up.

Stretching and deep breathing are two very basic and important things to do when caring for our bodies. Together, both can be healing as well as preventive. Each month we will breathe deeply and gently stretch different parts of our bodies which will unkink the kinks so we can feel better within ourselves. Anyone can attend from the basic beginner to the more advanced. Join us as we STRETCH 4 LIFE! Gina, of Heaven’s Healing, is a licensed massage therapist.

Wear loose clothing and bring your yoga mat, if you have one. No registration is required. For more information, call the library at 904.827.6940

Join us for our newest Little Ones Class. We will be teaching young ones rhymes, songs, stories and more in both English and Spanish in this fun class designed for kids ages 1.5-4!

Bidding ends today at noon for the Friends of the Library Silent Auction.  Come to the Information Desk to find out if you’re the winner!

The Friends of the Main Library St. Augustine offer rare and interesting books in a silent auction each month. Bidders can come in all month and view the items in the glass display cases located in the library’s foyer. Bids can be viewed and made in the Silent Auction binder held at the Information Desk. Auction winners are contacted by the Friends of the Library volunteers. Cash only. All proceeds support the Main Library’s programming and collection needs.

ALZHEIMER’S IS NOT NORMAL AGING.  It’s a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior.  Come to this free workshop to learn more about:

• The impact of Alzheimer’s.
• The difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia.
• Alzheimer’s disease stages and risk factors.
• Current research and treatments available to address some symptoms.
• Alzheimer’s Association resources.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.  Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

For more information, please call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900.

Weekly Stop!

Every Friday from 1:00 – 2:30pm, the Bookmobile can be found at the Publix in the Shoppes of Murabella, 84 Tuscan Way, at the intersection of Pacetti Road and SR 16. Check out books, movies, music and much more!

PLEASE NOTE:  There will be no stops on November 1st and November 29th.

Did you love the 2019 “Downton Abbey” movie? Are you looking for flower arranging ideas for the holidays and a fun afternoon with friends? Get in the holiday spirit with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Plants as they return to celebrate “Christmas at Downton!” Light refreshments will be served and optional raffle tickets will be sold to win the arrangements made at the event! All raffle proceeds benefit program sponsors, the Friends of the Library Ponte Vedra Beach.

In this one-hour activity, we will tell the Native American legend of the three sisters.  This folk story has as many versions as there are Native American nations and, as we take a look at some of them, we can also pick up some real-life background to the folklore.  We will be cooking 3-sister soup and participants will enjoy a variety of toppings to create their own personalized version of this legendary dish.

For kids age 5 and up, or grades K – 12.  Space is limited, registration opens October 14.  To sign up come by the reference desk or call us at 904-827-6960.

Thanks to our Friends of the Library for sponsoring this program.

Design a folded book art angel – perfect for the holiday season! Registration required, please choose ONE of the following dates: Friday, November 8 at 2pm, Friday, November 15 at 2pm OR Saturday, November 23 at 10:30am.

Heartfulness is a way of living. Whether you are seeking relaxation, an individual meditation practice, or the deepest connection to your inner being, we welcome you. Heartfulness Meditation is a simple, practical technique that you can use alongside to any other form of yoga, meditation or spiritual practice. In a few minutes, you will learn how to truly relax and feel the lightness and joy of your true nature. You don’t need to know how to meditate or to believe in a particular system or philosophy. Heartfulness technique shows us to gently turn our attention towards our heart and experience that inner presence for ourselves. For more information please visit: www.heartfulness.org. This program is limited to participants ages 15 and up only.

Beginning readers, come by the library to practice reading to certified therapy dogs! Don’t forget to bring your Read to Rover Frequent Reader Card. Eight visits, and you’ll receive an amazing prize!

“Pets are very nonjudgmental, and their calming presence distills stressful situations. For children who feel insecure about their capacity to do things like reading, therapy pets bolster their self-confidence, which reduces their anxiety,” Educational Therapist Rebecca Barker Bridges.

Have fun making various types of slime. Compare a store-bought slime kit with our own recipe. Play with different textures from stretchy to very bouncy and learn why different additives create different properties. Other slimes to try: glow-in-the-dark, magnetic, and heat-sensitive. Finally, have fun adding color and sparkles!

Teens and tweens ages 11 and up are invited to take part in our Teen Gaming Tournament. We’ll be competing as individuals in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch. Prizes and equipment provided by the Friends of the Library. You may bring your own controller, if you prefer.

Adults, come join your neighbors for card and/or board games. Let’s PLAY!!

A low key, foundational storytime for infants from birth to early walkers, designed to teach key early literacy skills and reinforce the bond between infant and caregiver. Simple songs, rhymes, bounces, and more!

Older siblings are welcome to attend, but we strongly encourage you to bring a doll or stuffed animal friend for big brother or sister to follow along with.

This storytime is followed by a short stay & play session, before our lively Romp & Rhyme Storytime begins at 11am.

Sing songs, dance with scarves, bounce along to rhymes, and read interactive stories to begin your little one’s lifetime love of reading! This lively storytime class is designed to incorporate important skills from Every Child Ready to Read and teach caregivers how to practice these skills at home. Caregivers are encouraged to experience this early learning class alongside their little ones by participating together.

Designed for ages 0-2, but all are welcome.

Romp & Rhyme Storytime is offered on Mondays at 11am, and Wednesdays at 10:30am.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. For adults ages 18+ only. Need some help improving your posture, increasing your flexibility, or developing your core strength? Come to the Main Library on Mondays and Thursdays and join in our FREE Pilates exercise class! Using principles based on the Pilates Method, instructor Susan will guide participants of any age through techniques that will help improve balance, stability, posture, coordination and muscle tone by isolating and working various muscle groups through range of motion exercises. This is a form of low-impact exercise that is excellent for people looking to start a new exercise regimen.

Our instructor, Susan, taught high school for over 25 years and now uses her teaching skills in Pilates instruction! She is a certified Pilates instructor with 2 years of instructional experience. You must bring a yoga mat. Please also bring a towel and bottled water. Wear comfortable clothes that let you stretch and move easily. For more information, please call the Main Library at 904.827.6940.

Join Mrs. Lisette each Monday at 11:30am in the Main Library Randolph Caldecott Children’s Room for a storytime featuring sign language. This storytime program is for children of all ages and is aimed at signing children as well as those interested in learning sign language. Each program will incorporate music and movement as well as great stories told and signed by Mrs. Lisette. This program is sponsored by The Friends of the Library.

Libraries rock, literally! Join us for an “A-Team” rock painting session! We’ll be making “royalty: themed rocks this month, but feel free to create any designs you like! All tools and supplies provided by the Friends of the Library. Registration is required–please register online. Parents are encouraged to create alongside their kids–please register yourselves only if you intend to take part.

The Crazy Comets 4-H Science Club meets at the Bartram Trail Library. If you’re in 4th or 5th grade and crazy about science, come join the club!

Come to the informational meeting Monday, October 14 from 5pm to 5:45pm…it is open to all!

Space is limited; sign up today at 4-HOnline.  For more information, please contact club leader Shipra Panda at 904-230-7571 or via her email found in the Organizer of Event contact information.