Fill Your Bookshelves, Fuel Your City: Jackson Friends of the Library Book Sale Returns February 28th
Libraries are more than places to check out books, they are gathering spaces, learning hubs, steady anchors and third spaces within Jackson’s neighborhoods.
On Saturday, February 28, residents will have a chance to support one of those spaces during the Jackson Friends of the Library (JFOL) Book Sale at Medgar Evers Library (4215 Medgar Evers Blvd.). The sale runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with early access at 7:00 a.m. for JFOL members.
With thousands of gently used books available at low cost, the event is an accessible entry point, but its impact extends well beyond the checkout table.
JFOL is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to supporting and advocating for the Jackson branches of the Jackson/Hinds Library System. Revitalized after the pandemic, the organization partners with residents, local leaders and community stakeholders to strengthen programming, facilities and outreach at neighborhood library branches.
That spirit of collaboration is visible in recent initiatives, including a mural project at the Margaret Walker Alexander Library. In partnership with West Jackson artist Kateri Hill, community volunteers and support from the Mississippi Arts Commission, JFOL helped bring to life a large exterior mural featuring a quilt-inspired design honoring the literary legacy of author Margaret Walker Alexander. Inside, visitors will also find an interior mural installation created by local artists, further extending the visual storytelling experience beyond the building’s exterior walls. The project served as both beautification and a reminder that libraries are living spaces that reflect the stories of the communities they serve.
The momentum continues with a new mural that is currently in development for the Willie Morris Library by Belhaven-based artist Ginger Williams Cook, reflecting JFOL’s ongoing commitment to partnering with local creatives to enhance the experience of visiting Jackson’s libraries.
For Jessica Akin, JFOL board member, book sale chair, kindergarten teacher and Jackson resident, the mission is rooted in lived experience.
“As a little girl growing up, I always loved school, and I loved reading, and I loved learning,” she shared. “My mother would take us to the local library during the summer and on breaks. I just loved looking on the shelves for things that interested me. I would find a series, and I would just dive in.”
Today, she sees libraries as both educational spaces and stabilizing neighborhood institutions.
“That was really important to me when I became a mother,” she explained. “I really wanted to instill that love of reading in my children.”
As a kindergarten teacher, she understands how early literacy connects directly to long-term academic outcomes. “I try to let my students know that reading is a lifelong journey. Even as an adult, I still come across words I don’t know.”
The annual book sale is one of JFOL’s most visible community-building efforts. Proceeds support Jackson’s public library branches and also help enhance programming, contribute to special projects and provide resources that serve families throughout Jackson.
But the organization’s work extends far beyond a single day.
As a fully volunteer-powered nonprofit, JFOL relies on residents to sort and organize donated books, staff book sale tables, assist with event setup and breakdown, support outreach efforts, and help with special projects such as art installations and community literacy initiatives. Volunteers also assist with membership drives, fundraising efforts and community events like the Mississippi Book Festival. Volunteers are truly some of the unsung heroes sustaining neighborhood libraries.
This year’s book sale will be held at Medgar Evers Library, part of JFOL’s commitment to rotating locations across the city. By moving the event from branch to branch, the organization invites residents into library spaces they may not regularly visit, reinforcing that every library plays a role in neighborhood vitality.
That impact is felt not just in the buildings themselves, but in the people who sustain them. Jessica describes Medgar Evers Library branch manager Ann Sanders as “one of the matriarchs of the librarians of the city,” underscoring the leadership and consistency that neighborhood libraries provide.
The event also highlights how library services are expanding beyond traditional walls. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour Jackson’s newly arrived Bookmobile. Years in development, the ADA-accessible mobile library features shelving, a book return slot and a mobile hotspot — an investment in equitable access that ensures residents who live farther from open branches can still access books, technology and library services.
That same commitment to access and community investment is reflected in JFOL’s broader work. In addition to supporting programming and facilities, the organization has partnered on MAC grant-funded art installations and contributed $15,000 toward the Bookmobile initiative, while continuing to recruit volunteers to sustain and strengthen neighborhood libraries. Events like the annual book sale help make that work possible, turning community participation into direct support for Jackson’s library system.
When asked to imagine the future, Akin’s vision is centered on shared responsibility.
“I would love to see more people get involved and truly be a part of the library community in the city,” she said.
How to Get Involved
Attend the Book Sale
Saturday, February 28, 2026
8:00 AM–4:00 PM (Members: 7:00 AM Early Bird)
Medgar Evers Library
4215 Medgar Evers Blvd., Jackson, MS 39213
Book prices: $1 paperbacks and children’s titles, $2 hardbacks, $5 specialty and coffee table books and for $25, fill a limited-edition Medgar Evers tote shoppers with books
Volunteer
Help sort books prior to the sale or assist on event day.
Become a Member
JFOL memberships support year-round advocacy and initiatives.
For more information, volunteer sign-up details, or sponsorship inquiries, contact: jxnlibraryfriends@gmail.com or visit https://www.jfol.org
