The Harlem Globetrotters won’t hit the hardwood at Veterans Memorial Arena until 7 p.m. Friday, but Monday afternoon, customers at the Main Library Downtown could see one of the team members, Buckets Blakes, perform some basketball tricks.
What does basketball have to do with the library?
It’s about attracting people’s attention in different ways, said Jacksonville Public Library Director Barbara Gubbin.
When Gubbin assumed the leadership of the JPL system in 2004, she said her vision was to “take the library far beyond its traditional role in the community.”
She said she wanted to “change the way people think” about the institution.
In the past several years, the Main Library and branch locations have grown into veritable community centers, offering, in addition to books and other materials for loan, classes, seminars, meeting spaces, live music and films.
For example, the library has partnered with its next-door neighbor, the Museum of Contemporary Art, to celebrate the museum’s feature exhibition, “ReFocus: Art of the 1960s.”
Library customers can present their Jacksonville Public Library card at MOCA for free or discounted admission or participate in any of several 1960s art-focused programs scheduled at the Downtown library and selected branches, said Gubbin.
JPL also has partnered with Theatre Jacksonville for its production of Ayn Rand’s “Night of January 16th.” Library cardholders can buy discounted tickets and the play offers a special opportunity.
At each performance of the courtroom drama, a guest “jury” evaluates the testimony presented by the actors in their roles and renders a verdict that determines how the play ends. Gubbin said she’ll be serving on the panel at Saturday night’s performance.
The public library also is partnering with the Jacksonville Home & Patio Show March 8-11 for discount tickets through the show’s website and there’s a recommended reading list of home improvement books and DVDs available at the library.
“A library card is good for more than just borrowing books,” said Gubbin.
Along a more academic track, “Great Decisions 2012” is a series of global current events programs presented at the Main Library’s Conference Center in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville.
The next program is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. March 13 when “Drawdown: Exiting Iraq and Afghanistan” will be the topic of discussion. Other subjects in the series include Internet security, the environment and geopolitics.
For more information on what is available, in addition to books, at the Jacksonville Public Library, visit jpl.coj.net.
356-2466