We believe a great library builds community - join us!
Founded in 1961, the Brentwood Public Library is located in Jacksonville's urban core. It serves a fragile community where an estimated 66% of the families exist at or below the national poverty level - an extraordinarily high percentage compared to the rest of the Northeast Florida area. In 2013, the library was slated to close amid widespread city budget cuts. Mrs. Sharon Coon, a local resident and parent, organized and led a grassroots community effort to save the library by enlisting the support of local journalists, civic leaders, library patrons, neighborhood citizens, and area businesses.
- A decade later, The Friends of the Brentwood Library is now a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation offering vibrant programming, special events, and service opportunities that help local high school students fulfill their Bright Futures college scholarship requirement for the state of Florida. We are led by an incredible group of volunteers comprised of teachers, retired educators, youth ambassadors, senior citizens, library patrons, and more. We are proudly operated 100% by volunteers and funded by private and public donors.
Our Urban Core Enrichment
children’s programming
increases library use by
encouraging educational
readiness, literacy, and
cultural family engagement.
PROGRAMS
Our Back-to-School Bash,
Reading Tea Parties, Storytime
with Santa, and other events
are great ways to introduce
new families to our community
of literacy and learning!
SPECIAL EVENTS
Our Youth Ambassadors
help the next generation of
lifelong learners grow in
knowledge and experience a
community library at its
very best!
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
What we do
- Visit our FaceBook page for current event details
COMING SOON:
- 2025 James Weldon Johnson Young Writers Festival

Founder/Chair
Sharon Coon
Treasurer
Liz McCoy
Secretary
Dale Wilson
Sabrina Stargill, Assistant
Directors
Reverend Kennetta Carter
Denitria Davis
- Dr. Randly L. Woods
Leadership
EMERITUS
Reverend Marquise Hardrick • Harry Reagan
- Dr. Cora H. Reed • Melvin "T" Turnage
Advisory Board
Jeanette Ali
Daniel K. Bean, Attorney
Glendia Cooper
Judge Pauline Drake
Deborah Thompson
Darryl Willie, DCPS Chairman
Youth Ambassadors
Major Trent Johnson
Kayla Sheffield
- Dr. Tarma Woodhouse Young
0.0s
MARCH 2025
FEBRUARY 2025
JANUARY 2025
NOVEMBER 2024
OCTOBER 2024
Art From the Heart • Falling “N” Love with Books
JUNE 2024
FOBL Jacksonville Then and Now Documentary
MAY 2024
Literary Lovers Celebrate Life and Legacy
FEBRUARY 2024
124th Anniversary of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing: A Place for All People
@MayorDeegan Thank you to the Friends of Brentwood Library
AUGUST 2023
Friends of Brentwood Library put together back-to-school ...
Mayor Deegan to Visit Brentwood Library...
JANUARY 2023
2023 Jacksonville Image Awards

Newsroom
DECEMBER 2022
- Storytime with Santa
Viral N. Acharva • Jeanette Ali • Sharon Coon • Glendia Cooper • Brian J. Davis • Deborah L. Dickenson • Trudy Dixon • Tommy L. Downer
Judge Pauline M. Drake • Annette Dues • Beverly Keys • Reverend Florence B. Luster • Dr. Cora Reed • Zenobia Scurry
Veronica Session-Fennell • Kayla Sheffield • Shirley Smith • Annie Sneed • Lisa Solomon • Barney E. and Darlene Spann
- Cynthia Turnage • Joann Walker • Pearl Graham West • Dale & Tisa Wilson • Dr. Randly L. Woods
Donors
AFACME Florida Council #79 • Central Metropolitan CME Missionary Society • City of Jacksonville • Clear & Simple Inc.
Community Rehabilitation Center (CRC) • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter • FFAC Tax and Financial Services
Florida Blue Foundation • Full Service Schools of Jacksonville • Greater Payne Chapel AME Church • Holsey Temple CME Church
International Blades & Shears • Jacksonville Public Library • Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation • Jacksonville Port Authority
King Solomon Lodge #255 • Lily of the Valley Chapter, Eastern Star #454 • Matt Carlucci State Farm Agency
McGowan Spinal Rehabilitation Clinic • MyVillage • NAJA Shrine Temple #1990 • North Florida Consistory • Phi Kappa Delta National Sorority
QL Douglas Funeral Home • Read USA, Inc. • Simply Healthcare • Steve E. Shirley Living Trust • The Community Foundation of NE Florida
- TMB Charitable Foundation, Inc. • Vystar Credit Union • Walker-Berry Funerals & Cremations, Inc.
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FRIENDS OF BRENTWOOD LIBRARY
c/o Brentwood Public Library
3725 N Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
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Post Office Box 3660
Jacksonville, FL 32206
PHONE
(904)520-4194
Support Us
PAYPAL
EIN: 47-4519534