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April 2026

Message from Library Director Pamela Monroe

April is a time to recognize the individuals who make the library a welcoming, dynamic, and essential part of our community. Every day, library staff create meaningful experiences that connect people to knowledge, opportunity, and one another.

On April 21, we proudly celebrate National Library Workers Day, a moment to recognize the dedicated professionals who bring the library to life.

Library staff is often the first point of connection, helping someone navigate new technology, discover a resource they didn’t know existed, or simply feel comfortable walking through the door. They are problem-solvers, educators, and community builders, all in one.

At the same time, much of their impact happens behind the scenes. Staff carefully select materials that reflect community needs, design programs that reflect local interests, maintain systems that keep services running smoothly, and continuously adapt to meet changing demands.

This combination of visible service and unseen preparation is what makes the library experience seamless, responsive, and reliable. When you visit the library this month, take a moment to thank a staff member. Their work shapes every part of the experience.

The strength of the library is rooted in the people who serve and the community they support. Together, library workers create a space where access, learning, and connection are available to all.

Amazing things are happening,
Pamela Monroe, Library Director

Celebrate neurodiversity, inclusion, and creativity at this year’s Autism Acceptance Month events:

“Artists and Autism: Infinite Expressions” Exhibition Opening, Thursday, April 2, from 6 to 7 p.m., Leon County Main Library – Celebrate the opening of the sixth annual “Artists and Autism” exhibition, featuring physical and digital artwork by talented local artists. Enjoy light refreshments and meet the artists. Hosted in partnership with the FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) and Arts4All Florida, the exhibit will be on display through April 30, with a virtual exhibition available April 1-30.

Fifth Annual Autism Acceptance Resource Fair, Saturday, April 18, from 1 to 3 p.m., Leon County Main Library – Connect with local organizations offering services and resources for neurodiverse individuals.

Sensory Story Time and Stay & Play, every Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Leon County Main Library – Enjoy an inclusive and interactive story time filled with songs, stories, and fun. Stay & Play includes a special sensory craft in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month.

2027 Autism Acceptance Month Logo Design Challenge, throughout April at all locations and online – Submit an original infinity symbol design for a chance to be featured in the 2027 Autism Acceptance Month celebration. One design will be selected as the official logo, and a selection of entries will be showcased in an online gallery.

Turn your business idea into a clear, actionable plan with Roadmap to Business, an eight-part workshop series for aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn the fundamentals of starting and growing a business—from legal basics and market research to pricing, funding and business models—while working on your own idea, receiving expert feedback, and connecting with other future business owners.

Sessions take place on Mondays, starting April 6 through June 1, from 6:30-8 p.m., at the Leon County Main Library. No session will be held on Memorial Day.

Join us for Science Saturday this April and May!

For elementary-age kids, hands-on LEGO workshops offer a fun way to explore engineering, movement, and simple machines.

Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library: April 4 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Eastside Branch Library: May 2 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Woodville Branch Library: May 30 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

For middle school-age youth, interactive sessions focus on circuits and engineering concepts in action.

Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library: April 4 from 1-2 p.m.
Eastside Branch Library: May 2 from 1-2 p.m.
Woodville Branch Library: May 30 from 1-2 p.m.

Don’t miss these hands-on STEM experiences!

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Verses & Vibes: A Spoken Word Soirée, an evening of live poetry, storytelling, and creative expression on Thursday, April 16, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library. Local poets, writers, and spoken word artists are invited to share original work or their favorite pieces in a relaxed, welcoming setting while connecting with fellow creatives and community members.

Spring into a season of reading with the Spring Into Reading Challenge on Beanstack, running April 1 through May 31. Readers of all ages can take part by tracking their reading, earning colorful badges, and building lasting reading habits along the way. Whether you’re picking up a new favorite or revisiting a classic, this virtual challenge offers a fun and flexible way to stay engaged with reading all spring long.

Enjoy engaging Virtual Author Talks with bestselling authors from a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres. Tune in for these live events with interactive Q&As, or watch the recording afterward. 

Upcoming Virtual Author Talks include:

• Thursday, April 2, at 2 p.m.: Author Talk with Valerie Neal, space historian and curator emerita at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.  

• Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m.: Author Talk with Brad Taylor, former Special Forces officer and New York Times bestselling author of the Pike Logan series.

• Wednesday, April 22, at 2 p.m.: Author Talk with Miranda Cowley Heller, New York Times bestselling author of The Paper Palace and What the Deep Water Knows.

• Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m.: Author Talk with Jason Reynolds, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down and the Track series.