from the director
-
From the Director, September 2023
While doing some research on what OCLS was like in the 1990s, I learned something new: The first issue of Books & Beyond was published in 1996, which makes the magazine 27 years old. The first issue was a simple black-and-white newsletter, just four pages long, consisting of a few program listings, a story about…
-
From the Director, August 2023
On January 7, when we officially kicked off our 100 Year Celebration, we shared the news that Sorosis of Orlando Woman’s Club had donated $100,000 to help us bring mobile services back to Orange County. We’re using that money to support the purchase of book bikes and a bookmobile that can help us get books,…
-
From the Director, July 2023
This year, the library’s home delivery service turns 50 years old. It was launched in 1973 by former Library Director Glenn Miller, who was looking for a way to make library service more accessible for people in the county. The library had a bookmobile, but it was aging and the county was growing – it…
-
From the Director, June 2023
I grew up in rural northeast Pennsylvania. When I was a kid, my access to the library was limited to school or visiting a bookmobile. As a result, I feel like I missed out on a lot of opportunities to discover the world through books. I didn’t get to experience the journeys they can take…
-
From the Director, May 2023
When I look back at what things were like at the library in the 1950s, I see some similarities to the library of today – Orange County was growing, and the community needed more libraries to adequately serve its needs. In fact, the Annual Report for 1952–1953 was titled: To a Growing Community, From its…
-
From the Director, April 2023
If there’s one thing our library system has always excelled at, it’s innovation. As we celebrate our 100 years, I’ve enjoyed taking the time to explore how the library has evolved during each decade we’ve been in existence. This month in Books & Beyond, we look back at the 1940s. The country was coming out…
-
From the Director, March 2023
As part of our 100 Year Celebration, we plan to share stories about the history of Orange County Library System in each issue of Books & Beyond. We’ll focus on one decade at a time, and this month, we take a look at the 1930s – a particularly difficult time for everyone, including the library.…
-
From the Director, February 2023
On January 7, we kicked off Orange County Library System’s 100 Year Celebration at Orlando Public Library with a host of special guests. We were lucky enough to have Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, State Rep. Anna Eskamani and County Commissioner Nicole Wilson join us…
-
From the Director, January 2023
In 1923, the city of Orlando was less than 100 years old. Founded in the 1840s as a town called Jernigan, the city had nearly doubled in size by the 1920s, and a building boom was underway. The Angebilt Hotel, which is still located on Orange Avenue, opened to the public in 1923. The Orlando…
-
From the Interim Director, May 2022
It’s hard to believe, but it’s already time for registration to open for the library’s annual Summer Reading Program. This year’s program theme is Oceans of Possibilities, and we’re inviting everyone in the community to take a deep dive into what the library has to offer for kids and adults this summer. The Summer Reading…
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 account activities adult fiction author interview authors black history month book recommendations books checked out items children children's books computers crafts digital digital media DIY family fees film recommendations from the director guest writer history holds home delivery international year of peace and trust interview library library staff local wanderer melrose center mobile movies music music national library week our history speaks volumes OverDrive preschool reading requesting reservations searching summer reading program YA books
