Hastings Friends of the Library

09/15/2026

📚 WHY AMENDMENT 3 MATTERS TO OUR LIBRARIES

Proposed Property Tax Amendment 3 will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election ballot, and St. Johns County has created a new resource to help residents understand the proposal and its potential financial impact.

Why are the Friends of the Hastings Library sharing this information?

Property taxes currently help fund St. Johns County libraries. In the FY 2027 Recommended Budget, Parks, Recreation & Libraries account for approximately 7% of the County's recommended property-tax allocation.

If Amendment 3 passes, St. Johns County estimates property-tax revenue reductions of $68.3 million in FY 2028, increasing to $191.6 million by FY 2032.

The County has NOT identified anyspecific library service reductions. Any future changes to County programs or services would require decisions through the public budget process.

As Friends of the Hastings Library, we encourage our community to learn about the amendment, understand how County services are funded and make an informed decision on Nov. 3.

👉 Read the County's Amendment 3 information and FAQs: www.sjcfl.us/amendment-3

📅 Amendment 3 Town Hall: Tuesday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the County Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine.

09/12/2026

What are the little, simple joys that make your life feel good? 📚☕🌧️

09/11/2026

Patriot Day | September 11

Today, the Hastings Friends of the Library pauses to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the first responders, service members and everyday Americans who answered tragedy with courage and compassion.

Libraries help preserve our shared history and provide places where communities can learn, reflect and remember.

On this Patriot Day, we honor the memories of those we lost and the strength and unity shown by communities across our nation.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

09/05/2026

🌱🪴 We are SO excited — the Community Plant Swap is BACK!

The Friends of the Hastings Library can’t wait to welcome everyone back for one of our favorite programs on Saturday, September 12!

🪴 Community Plant Swap | 10 a.m.
Bring a plant, take a plant and share the love of growing with neighbors and fellow plant enthusiasts!

🌿 Grow It! | 11 a.m.
This month, Master Gardener Pam Hutcherson presents Build It & Let It Grow — Trellis Garden Workshop!

🎋 Create a natural bamboo trellis
🌸 Learn about beautiful climbing plants
🌱 Add structure and charm to your garden

📍 W.E. Harris Community Center — Cafeteria
400 E. Harris Street, Hastings, FL 32145

🍳 There will be no cooking portion in September while we’re still at the Harris Center — but Grow It! Cook It! will be back in full once we’re settled into our new library home!

We’ve missed gathering, swapping plants and getting our hands in the dirt together. We hope to see you there! 💚

Meet you in the dirt… 🌱

More info: 904-827-6972

08/20/2026

Sounds like a good time!

08/18/2026

📚 Support Your Local Library — It Belongs to All of Us!

Libraries are so much more than books. They are places to learn, connect, create, discover, and build community — and Friends of the Library helps make that possible.

There are so many ways to support your local library:

📖 Become a Friend of the Library

💵 Make a donation

🎉 Attend library programs and events

🤝 Volunteer your time or talents

📚 Donate books and supplies when needed

📣 Share library programs with your friends and neighbors

🏘️ Advocate for strong, accessible libraries in your community

Every contribution — whether it’s a donation, an hour of volunteer time, or simply showing up for a program — helps strengthen the library and the community it serves.

When you support your local library, you’re investing in your neighbors, your children, and the future of your community.

Consider becoming a Friend today and help your local library continue to grow, serve, and inspire. ❤️📚

Join the friends: https://tinyurl.com/Join-hastings-friends

08/17/2026

Meet Benjamin Franklin—founding father, inventor, diplomat and storyteller!

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an engaging living-history performance featuring local historians John and Mary Alice Archer as Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah. Enjoy entertaining stories about Franklin’s experiments, innovations and diplomatic adventures while sipping tea and enjoying light refreshments provided by the Hastings Friends of the Library.

📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 11 a.m.–noon
📍 Harris Center Cafeteria, 400 E. Harris St., Hastings, FL

Recommended for ages 8 and older. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is requested.

Reserve a seat: https://sjcpls.librarycalendar.com/event/historical-reenactor-tea-ben-franklin-23961

08/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/19SS46vEB3/https://www.facebook.com/share/19SS46vEB3/

Happy National Book Lovers Day!
What book are you reading today?

08/05/2026

Visit the Hastings Branch Library to browse, borrow and discover your next great read! While regular programming is paused until the new library opens, the temporary branch remains open at the W.E. Harris Community Center, Rooms 402 and 403, at 400 E. Harris St., Hastings, FL

Library Hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Learn more: https://sjcpls.org/branches/hastings-branch/

03/02/2026

🎩📚 Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! 📚🎩

Born on March 2, Dr. Seuss sparked imaginations, inspired generations of readers, and proved that a little rhyme can go a long way. Today we’re celebrating his whimsical words, colorful characters, and the joy of getting lost in a good book.

So grab a story, read it aloud, and remember: “The more that you read, the more things you will know!” 💚📖