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  • Lei with white and pink flowers on a gray woodgrain background with text block about AANHPI article

    Embracing the Aloha Spirit: A Celebration of AANHPI Heritage Through Culture and Connection

    As we wrap up celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, I find myself reflecting deeply on the values, traditions, and spirit that shaped my upbringing—especially those rooted in my Native Hawaiian heritage. I was raised with the tradition and heritage of the aloha spirit—not just as a greeting or a…

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  • Green Mental Health awareness ribbon on white background

    Book Recommendations: Picture Books for Mental Health Awareness Month

    Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with these amazing picture books! Explore a diverse array of neurodivergent experiences, and the unique challenges (and triumphs) that come with them. While many children’s titles address juvenile mental health issues broadly (for instance, personifying anxiety as a monster), the entries on this list deal more specifically with symptoms of…

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  • Hardback books arranged in a wave pattern

    With Books, I Was Never Alone

    For years, I was floating by. I hated this feeling especially when it was combined with my intense moods. Grounding tools felt impossible to use; because I was an independently minded teenager, creating and maintaining healthy habits that people would advise for my success was not something I’d taken seriously. However, in 2014, after a…

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  • Pink origami lotus on top of hardback book with green cover on woodgrain with blue background

    Mindfulness: More than a Buzzword

    Mindfulness plays a valuable role in my well-being. I find it all too easy to settle into a daily routine that, while comforting in its consistency, can also be draining. Through simple mindful practices, I can take stock of my feelings and recalibrate. Mindfulness is defined as a type of meditation that focuses on being…

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  • Alphabet chart of Hebrew letters

    The Sound of Heritage: Hebrew and Yiddish in Jewish American Culture

    Working at OCLS gives me the joy of meeting people from all walks of life, each carrying their own unique history. Not long ago, I had a wonderful conversation with a customer eager to share theirs. They spoke about their family’s Jewish roots and the rich worlds of Hebrew and Yiddish. Their stories stayed with…

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  • Dafeney Josue paintings celebrating Black femininity hang on wooden wall in Orlando Public Library lobby

    Q&A with artist Dafeney Josue  

    The Dafeney Josue Art Collection is the newest art installation at Orlando Public Library on display through June.  Dafeney Josue is a self-taught mixed media artist based in Orlando. Dafeney’s artwork celebrates Black women and femininity in vibrant and captivating ways. Below is an interview with the artist.   What do you hope viewers take away from your artwork?…

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  • From the Director, May 2025

    From the Director, May 2025

    Your Library Offers Unexpected Events and Experiences Registration has opened for Summer at Your Library. From June 1 through July 27, we have special events and programs for all ages at our 15 locations and at pop-up locations across the county. This year’s theme is “Color Our World” and the library has an array of…

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  • a spooky, dark swamp with cypress tree front left

    Book Recommendations: Botanical Horror

    Climate change may be scary… but these horror stories are even more daunting! In honor of Earth Day (April 22nd) this month, I’ve compiled a list of botanical horror novels that will surely have you question the power of nature. Don’t Let The Forest In by CG Drews High school student Andrew Perrault finds refuge…

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  • man in orange vest and hat seated on a bench in nature facing lush green plants; chihuahua in his lap facing the camera

    Book Recommendations: Poetry That Celebrates Nature

    This month, we are celebrating National Poetry Month (April 1st to April 31st) and Earth Day (April 22nd). To highlight both, I thought, why not recommend poetry books that use the natural world as either the subject or core imagery of the book? The following list includes both classic and contemporary poets. The Lost Words:…

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  • Ancient Greek ruins against a bright blue sky

    How Ancient Epic Poetry Shaped Modern Fantasy

    Poetry is often overlooked, yet its influence on storytelling is profound. I have always been captivated by the rich history of poetry, which holds a special place in my heart. The oldest form of it, epic poetry, has shaped literature for centuries, inspiring everything from novels to films. These grand narratives explore heroism, fate, and…

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