-
Orange County Library System Volunteer Spotlight – Eatonville Branch
This month, we are celebrating library volunteers. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available at locations across the county. Adults can join the Friends of the Orange County Library System, a non-profit, independent volunteer and advocacy organization that helps us improve the quality and scope of our services. Adult volunteers help in a variety of ways, including giving building tours and helping in the bookstore at Orlando Public Library, sharing information about library…
-
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,…
-
Pride: The Importance of Queer Stories
“I often wonder what I’d do if there weren’t any books in the world.” – James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room Reading queer stories, whether it’s romance, or horror, or literary fiction, always feels like coming home. A place to rest, to unwind after a long day, and be truly, utterly myself. I find comfort in seeing…
-
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…
-
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:…
-
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…
-
My Tuesday with Billy
While Florida has housed its fair share of renowned poets over the years, few have reached the heights of mainstream popularity as former United States Poet Laureate Billy Collins. Billy has called Winter Park his home since 2008. From 2008 to 2015, he was the senior distinguished fellow of the Winter Park Institute, which hosts…
-
Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month
National Poetry Month is celebrated every year during the month of April. Whether you are a seasoned poetry reader or are looking for some ways to gradually expose yourself to the world of poetry, these ideas can be used and modified to fit yourself and/or library. Sign up for Poem-a-Day Visit the website poets.org to…
-
Learning How to Write Poetry for Kids
Does your child want to be a poet, but doesn’t know how to do it? These children’s book recommendations will help you get their creative juices flowing in no time. Regardless, if they are a beginner or have been writing poetry for a while, these books will both teach them that reading and writing poetry…
-
From the Director, February 2025
Welcome to Your Library Be Welcoming is an important pillar of our strategic plan. A big part of being welcoming is making sure our facilities, programs and services are accessible to every member of our community. This month in Books & Beyond, you will see changes to text color and size in our event listings…
About
From book recommendations to pop culture discussions, the Orange County Library System wants you to join the conversation with library staff about the world around us.
Featured Blog Posts
Tags
100 year celebration activities adult fiction art author author interview authors black history month book recommendations books children children's books crafts cuisine corner digital digital media DIY family film recommendations Freegal friends of the library from the director history home delivery international year of peace and trust interview library library card library staff local wanderer melrose center mobile movies music music national library week our history speaks volumes OverDrive preschool reading Romance Wine & Chocolate summer reading program womens history month YA books YA literature
