Board of Trustees Members

Library Board of Trustees from left to right:  Crockett Bohannon, Nicole Benjamin, Sharon Smoley, Ashley Cisneros Mejia,and Venessa Tomlin
Library Board of Trustees from left to right: Crockett Bohannon, Nicole Benjamin, Sharon Smoley, Ashley Cisneros Mejia,and Venessa Tomlin

The legislation which created the Orange County Library District provides for a five member Library Board of Trustees. Each member is appointed by the Library District Governing Board (Orange County Board of County Commissioners plus one member appointed by the City of Orlando). Trustees serve four year terms and are eligible to serve two terms. The powers of the Library Board of Trustees include administering, operating, supervising, overseeing, and maintaining library facilities and services for the benefit of the residents of the Orange County Library District.

Nicole Benjamin, Vice President

Term of Office: First, January 2022 – December 2025

City or County Appointee: City

Professional Background: President & Attorney, Benjamin Law Firm, P.A.

Hobbies / Personal Interests: Reading, Going to the Beach, Playing Board Games

College / Graduate School Attended: Florida State University & Shepard Broad Law School of Nova Southeastern University

Most Influential Person in My Life: My Mother.

Favorite Weekend Activity: Spending Time with My Daughters

Favorite Genre of Literature: Fiction

Favorite Author: James Patterson

Best Book Ever Read: Too Many to List

Latest Book(s) Read: Becoming Michelle Obama

Favorite Food: Seafood of Any Kind

Favorite Vacation Spot: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

I’d like to spend a year of my life… Traveling & Eating

Crockett Bohannon, President

Crockett Bohannon, Board of Trustees President

Term of Office: 2nd Term, January 2024 – December 2027

City or County Appointee: County

Professional Background:
Financial Advisor, Raymond James
Founder, Orlando Divorce Planning
Partner, Foundations Financial Partners, LLC 

Hobbies / Personal Interest: Ultra-Distance Cycling

College Attended: University of Central Florida

Most influential person in my life: My Mother

Personal Statement: My MISSION is to be known for the quality and impact of my efforts in my community, for my clients and those I am engaged with throughout my life.

Favorite Weekend Activity: Cycling

Favorite Genre of Literature: Non-Fiction / Self Development

Favorite Author: Alex Hutchinson

Best Book Ever Read: How Bad Do You Want It

Latest Book Read: The Tour According to G

Favorite Food: Peanut Butter

Favorite Vacation Spot: Camping in a tent anywhere

Childhood Spent In: Born, raised and educated in Central Florida

Favorite High School Subject: Social Studies

Favorite Music: Ska

I’d like to spend a year of my life … Riding My Bike Across America.

Ashley Cisneros Mejia, Trustee

Term of Office: Filling an unexpired term ending December 2027

City or County Appointee: City

Professional Background:
Business Coach for Professional Writers
Host of the Talk Freelance to Me Podcast
Freelance Journalist & Writer

Hobbies / Personal Interests: Reading, dancing & listening to podcasts

College / Graduate School Attended:
University of Florida, M.S. Entrepreneurship
University of Florida, B.S. Journalism, Minor in Sociology

Most influential person in my life: My Grandpa

Personal Statement: Libraries open doors to the world for people of all ages, offer a place of wonder and escape, and serve as our first classrooms for exploring what’s possible beyond our immediate means. Libraries remain our cherished sanctuaries for simply existing and have the unparalleled power to transform lives through knowledge, discovery, and community connections.

Favorite weekend activity: Enjoying a leisurely brunch and spending the day at the springs or the beach.

Favorite genre of literature: Biographies

Favorite Author: Fredrik Backman

Best book ever read: Too many to choose from!

Latest book(s) read: Finding Me by Viola Davis

Favorite food: A tie among Tex-Mex, Texas style smoked brisket & BBQ, Venezuelan arepas, Peruvian, and Greek cuisines

Favorite Vacation Spot: Costa Rica

Childhood spent in … Panama City, Florida

Favorite high school subject: English

Favorite music: I love all kinds – but especially NeoSoul and hip hop. On long drives, I like country.

“I’d like to spend a year of my life … traveling the world, interviewing people, and writing a book.

Sharon Smoley, Trustee

Sharon Smoley, Board Trustees

Term of Office: First, January 2023 – December 2026

City or County Appointee: County

Venessa M. Tomlin, Trustee

Filling an unexpired term:  February 2024 – December 2024

City or County Appointee: County

Finance Committee:
Chair: TBD

Marketing Committee:
Chair: TBD

Personnel Committee:
Chair: Sharon Smoley

Planning Committee:
Chair: TBD

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General Election Early Voting at Select Library Locations

Ten OCLS Branch locations will host early voting for the 2024 Early Voting General Election from Monday, October 21 to Sunday, November 3, 2024 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.): Alafaya, Chickasaw, Fairview Shores, Hiawassee, South Creek, Southeast, Southwest , Washington Park, West Oaks, and Winter Garden. Learn more about early voting at select library locations >

North Orange Branch Closure

North Orange Branch is closed for repair, with an undetermined reopening date. Learn more about the branch closure >