St. Johns County library system extends hours
The St. Johns County Public Library System has announced the expansion of library service hours beginning April 7. From 1 to 5 p.m., the Bartram Trail, Main, Ponte Vedra Beach and Southeast branches will open on Sundays, giving St. Johns County residents access to a library branch seven days a week.
Additionally, the Anastasia Island and Hastings branches will open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays beginning April 8.
These enhanced services result from the approval of additional staffing by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners for the fiscal year 2024 budget.
“Our community has been patiently waiting for us to open on Sundays and add Monday hours at the Anastasia Island and Hastings branches since we reduced services during the 2008 recession,” Library Director Debra Rhodes Gibson said. “We’re thrilled to have the support of the Board of County Commissioners to extend hours and make it more convenient for families, professionals and those with less-flexible schedules to visit SJCPLS. We look forward to spending more time with our patrons in the library!”
In addition to bestsellers, movies, audiobooks, magazines, and more, St. Johns County residents who sign up for a library card receive 24/7 access to the e-library for downloading e-books, reading The New York Times or Wall Street Journal digital editions, streaming movies and music, and researching for work or school projects.
For more information, go to sjcpls.org, email sjcpls@tblc.libanswers.com, or stop by any branch or bookmobile.
Palm Valley Market every Tuesday
The Palm Valley Market is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday inside the Palm Valley Community Center, 148 Canal Road. The market offers fresh produce, baked goods, local honey, tea, seasonal treats, soap, jewelry, plants and more.
Grief support group to meet
A grief support group meets on the third Wednesday of every month at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Room 107 of the Family Life Center, 578 First Avenue N., Jacksonville Beach. The group is for men and women grieving the death of a family member or friend. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 17. For information, call Kathy at 904-553-8933.
Democratic Club to meet
The Ponte Vedra Democratic Club will meet Monday, April 22, at the Ponte Vedra Library, 101 Library Road. Chat and chew at 5:30 p.m., meeting at 6 p.m. Featured speaker is Jeanne Moeller, president and board member of the St. Johns County Homeless Coalition, an organizations striving to end homelessness by stabilizing vulnerable families in safe and decent homes and providing support services to help them gain self-sufficiency. For additional information, email PVDemClub@gmail.com.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan