library staff
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Pride: The Importance of Queer Stories
āI often wonder what Iād do if there werenāt any books in the world.ā ā James Baldwin, Giovanniās Room Reading queer stories, whether itās 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…
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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 upbringingāespecially those rooted in my Native Hawaiian heritage. I was raised with the tradition and heritage of the aloha spiritānot just as a greeting or a…
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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 childrenās 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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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 Iād taken seriously. However, in 2014, after a…
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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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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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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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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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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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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…
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