What’s New at Jacksonville Public Library?
Adult Fiction
“The Starving Saints”
by Caitlin Starling
After enduring a six-month-long siege, the inhabitants of Aymar Castle receive visits from divine beings promising aid in exchange for worship. Before long, the whole fortress falls under the influence of these newfound deities, engaging in orgiastic revelries with sinister roots. As the castle plunges into chaotic debauchery, three women manage to retain clarity about their dire circumstances. However, even they cannot resist the allure of both the castle’s leaders and one another. In an effort to rescue the castle and reclaim their lives, they must redefine themselves and reconstruct the reality around them.
Adult Nonfiction
“Is a River Alive?”
by Robert Macfarlane
“Is a RiverAlive?” invites readers into a spirited, thought-provoking journey through a timeless yet pressing concept: rivers are sentient entities deserving acknowledgment within both creative visions and legal frameworks. Macfarlane guides us across three remarkable expeditions brimming with fascinating individuals, narratives, and landscapes. The first venture delves into the ethereal cloud forests and alpine watersheds of Ecuador; another explores the damaged brooks and wetlands of India; and the third traverses the awe-inspiring wilderness waterways of Canada. These bodies of water face threats including mineral extraction, contamination, and dam construction. Intertwined among these travels is the chronicle of a delicate chalk river near Macfarlane’s residence—a body of water intimately connected to his personal history. Enhanced by radiant writing and enriched at every turn by insights from various thinkers and speakers, this book promises to broaden horizons, provoke reconsiderations, and underscore how deeply intertwined our destinies are with those flowing currents—their ebb and flow have forever mirrored humanity’s own rhythm.
DVD
“Woman in the Yard”
A enigmatic woman keeps showing up in the family’s front yard, frequently bringing ominous warnings or disturbing messages, which leaves the inhabitants pondering her true identity, intentions, and the possible threat she may represent.
Juvenile Fiction
“Stalactite and Stalagmite”
by Drew Beckmeyer
Two stalactites named Stalactite and Stalagmite bear witness to the Earth’s history together—overseeing the passage of creatures like a trilobite, an ichthyostega, a triceratops, a ground sloth, and even a bat—who all journeyed through their cavern—and as time progresses, they extend far enough to finally meet each other.
Did you know?
The Jacksonville Bookmobile will be making its way to a location near you on Fridays this summer. Participants can stop by any of its three locations:
• Pavilion at Centenary United Methodist Church, 321 E. Morgan St., from 1 to 1:30 p.m.;
• Dunlap Court, located at 612 North West Street, from 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM; and
• Greenbriar Apartments, at 12 Greenbriar Drive, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kids aged from 2 years old up until high school can borrow two books every week. No library card is required to join the Bookmobile program. Participation doesn’t involve any late charges or sign-ups; however, borrowers should aim to bring back their books or extend the loan period weekly. As an incentive, children have opportunities to earn rewards and enjoy some treats just by engaging with the readings.
The library’s Youth STEM Club convenes every alternate Monday for various activities. Prior registration is necessary. The inaugural session will be held this coming Monday. To secure your spot, please email Courtney Langdon at clangdon@jaxpl.org or contact the library directly at 217-243-5435.
Do you find yourself in grades six through twelve? Are you searching for additional gaming buddies? Interested in showcasing your go-to games? Join us at the library on Tuesday for our Bring Your Own Switch event. Don’t own a Nintendo Switch? Not an issue; we’ll have some available for you to use as well.
The Morgan Historical Society along with public historian Chad Boehlke will present an informative session about the 1925 Jacksonville Centennial to commemorate our town’s approaching bicentenary bash. This event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the local library. Admission is complimentary.
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