Literature Meetup

While surfing the web over the weekend, I discovered a site specifically designed for “Meetups.” My search for “Literature & Writing” pulled up 10 results for group meetings in Jacksonville. Here is a brief break down of each one:

1. “Journal to the Self” is a writing club that focuses on reflective journalism. With 63 members, workshops are centered around Kathleen Adams’s techniques in developing the various ways to express the self.

2. A group for all creative-minded people, “The Jacksonville Creative Circle Meetup” welcomes poets, visual artists, musicians, etc. to share and distribute their work with like-minded individuals.

3. “Avid Readers of Jax” is a book club for all genres with meet ups scheduled monthly. Members get to read and share books in various settings around Jacksonville.

4. At 253 members and counting, “Finish Writing Your Book” offers support for novice writers. The purpose of this club is to inspire, motivate, and challenge other writers in order to help each other develop their individual works.

5. The “Chick-Lit/Chick-Flick Socialites of Jax” is a group for women over the age of 30 who enjoy reading and watching women’s fictional genres. Meetups involve social activities and events as well as readings.

6. “The Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers of Jacksonville, FL” (or SFFJAX, for short) is set up to offer support and fellowship for local authors. This club utilizes discussion forums, monthly meet ups, and convention-related activities.

7. “Women Writing for (a) Change” is a community of new as well as experienced writers of all age groups. Offering classes, retreats, workshops, and camaraderie, this group gives women the opportunity to creatively share stories from all walks of life.

8. The book club that appears to have the widest variety in literature selection as well as membership is the “Jax Freestyle Book Club for Real Readers.” Members get to select from a list of books that are centered around monthly themes.

9. “The Jane Austen Book Club” gathers to discuss the various forms of Jane Austen literature. From books to movies and even dance classes, members can enjoy activities relating to the world of Regency England.

10. “Bosom Book Buddies” hosts monthly meet ups to discuss specific books. RSVP is needed 30 days ahead of time, but all book lovers are welcome!

Recent changes suggested to improve Jacksonville’s Libraries

Immediately upon being tasked with the research of Jacksonville’s literary scene, the first place that came to mind was the library! Anyone who knows me can attest to my fondness of cozy nooks, dusty shelves, and the dim lighting of the lovely place I frequent so often– my local branch, Mandarin’s Jacksonville Public Library. I have spent many a lonesome afternoon hunched over my books, studying to the sound of my Spotify app, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. These days have been cut short by the library’s new hours of operations. Now only open Tuesdays through Saturdays, the hours themselves have been changed significantly to many Jacksonvillans’ dismay.

In an effort to improve the library’s ability to address residents’ concerns, the end of August brought about the option to vote for an independent library district. This change is said to help Jacksonville manage resources more effectively. A website dedicated to providing information on saving Jacksonville’s libraries says funding is not the issue, management is. The past decade has seen many changes– namely, budget cuts, reduced funding, and fewer staff. Without action from the government, the library is powerless to implement innovations (such as online bill pay for customers) and stay abreast of needs Jacksonville’s residents require.

RTV4403- Print is Not Dead…again

For my first Media Analysis post, the subject I’ve been assigned to write about happens to be very similar to the project I’m working on in my other RTV class. The topic of print media is brought up in several of my courses, as it will be my job to look at the way information is communicated to various publics. Internet seems to be taking over traditional means of communication, and the option to be plugged-in 24/7 is highly attractive to millenials. The immediacy online media provides consumers with gives print a difficult time keeping up, but will it ever really die out?

The value of print is recognized even by some confident enough to weave through the various platforms of online media. CEO of Huge, Aaron Shapiro, writes that the internet provides “innumerable, frequent snacks of information,” whereas the linear format of a book successfully communicates complex, in-depth information to readers. He goes on to state that people retain much more information after reading print over online news.

It seems the public is swiftly conforming to the standards new new media has put in place for its readers. With short, frequent updates, online news focuses on providing the most interesting information as quickly and compactly as possible. Editing can always be made at a later time if needed, and feedback gives the readership a feeling of involvement print can’t quite replicate.

Print is struggling to maintain a foothold in the world of media. More and more information is being transferred to online versions of newspapers, while some is eliminated entirely– seemingly suggesting there no longer being a need for detailed, researched, in-depth information print newspapers used to provide. While the talent of journalists is currently taken for granted, I hope it will in time find a way to repurpose itself. Just as readers quickly adapted to absorbing condensed online news, they may someday come to value and demand the quality work journalists provide.

Introduction to RTV4403

I will be updating my blog with posts related to Media Criticism throughout the course of the Fall semester. Our class will be reading and writing from Paul Levinson’s New New Media and Henry Jenkins’ Convergence Now. I hope to develop my understanding of the role media has in society and how it impacts the field I will be working after graduating with my degree in Converged Communications.

Jacksonville’s Literary Landscape

For the duration of my Writing and Reporting for Electronic News course, I will be exploring Jacksonville’s Literary Landscape. As the internet is swiftly taking over the world, old media such as the printed word is rumored to be nearing its extinction. I’m going to address several issues surrounding print, ebooks, libraries, etc. and discover how these have shaped Jacksonville’s take on literary work and possibly delve into how they will affect our fair city over the course of the next couple of years.