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  • From the Director, December 2025

    From the Director, December 2025

    The Best Books You May Have Missed in 2025 December is a great time to relax with a book, and book clubs, blogs, celebrities and newspapers are releasing their Best Books lists for 2025 – a fun way to find your next book. I love discovering new authors and I find as much time as…

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  • white marble letters spell out THE BEST BOOKS OF 2025 - ADULT against a blue background

    Best Books of 2025: Adult

    As chairs of the Adult Book List committee, we are excited to share with you how the committee was formed, how the books were reviewed, and how the list you can now find in the December Books & Beyond newsletter was created.  Several librarians from across the whole system met together in person in the…

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  • white marble letters spell out THE BEST BOOKS OF 2025 - YOUTH against a blue background

    Best Books of 2025: Youth

    This year marked an exciting first for our library: the creation of our Best Books list for babies, children, and young adults! Two of us had the privilege of leading this new committee, and with a wonderful team of librarians, we set out to find the most remarkable (and often overlooked) books of the year.…

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  • Book covers of recommended Indigenous literature against dark teal background

    Shapes & Forms: A Guide to Contemporary Indigenous Literature

    The history of Indigenous literature is a lineage that runs deep throughout the American continent. From tales shared through oral traditions to modern poetry and prose, these narratives have often sought to illuminate the lived experiences of contemporary Indigenous reality while covering themes of heritage, nature, community, and preservation. For this Native American History Month,…

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  • From the Director, November 2025

    From the Director, November 2025

    For many, November is a time to focus on giving and to reflect on gratitude. This season, I’m especially thankful for the staff of Orange County Library System, who dedicate each day to enriching lives through lifelong learning and providing meaningful programs and services to our community both in our branches and across the county…

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  • Pumpkins nestled in a row

    Friends of the Library Pumpkin Decorating Contest

    The Winners of the 2025 Orange County Library System Pumpkin Decorating Contest are here and ready for Halloween. Earlier this month pumpkins were delivered to OCLS branches and departments for the 2025 Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. The contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Orange County Library System. The Friends of the Library help…

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  • From the Director, October 2025

    From the Director, October 2025

    Connect With Your Community Through Library Events and Programs It’s the start of fall and OCLS is bringing a new season of events, classes and programs to give customers fresh opportunities to learn and connect in the community. From cooking demonstrations to book clubs, technology classes to health and wellness programs, we offer Orange County…

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  • Good Stuff Horizon West Magazine on blue sequin background

    OCLS Honored at Good Stuff Awards by Horizon West Magazine 

    On Thursday, September 25, Orange County Library System was one of several businesses honored at Horizon West Magazine’s “Good Stuff Awards,” held at picturesque Southern Hill Farms.   OCLS was recognized in two categories: as the winner in Destination for Fun for library pop-up events at the Waterleigh Clubhouse and honoree in Nearby Gem for our…

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  • Watercolor image of Florida pollinators including hummingbird, butterfly and bee

    Florida’s Pollinators Land at the Library 

    It’s Library Card Sign-up Month and Orange County Library System is celebrating with a new card design  This September, OCLS launched a new card designed by Kelly Williams. After 10 years at OCLS, Kelly has made her mark with design and illustration projects for the library. With this new card illustration, Kelly took her first…

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