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  • Read It! Don't Lose It: How to Regain Your Focus While Reading

    Read It! Don’t Lose It: How to Regain Your Focus While Reading

    Imagine you have just picked up a book from your “books I need to read” list. You prepare your favorite beverage and find the comfortable spot on your couch. Enthusiastically, you open the book and begin to read it, scanning the words, feeling the pages on your fingertips every time you turn to the next…

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  • From the Director, February 2020

    From the Director, February 2020

    In 1976, President Gerald Ford became the first president to officially recognize Black History Month. He called upon the nation to, “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Ever since then, every U.S. president has designated February as Black History Month, and…

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  • Our History Speaks Volumes: Remembering Eddie T. Jackson

    Our History Speaks Volumes: Remembering Eddie T. Jackson

    In June 1924, our Booker T. Washington Branch opened at 107 South Terry St. The branch was the second public library location to open in the city of Orlando following the Albertson Public Library, which began service the previous year. Selected to serve as Head Librarian of the Booker T. Washington Branch was Eddie T. Jackson. Upon…

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  • The Mayor's Picks-01

    The Mayor’s Picks

    Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is a strong supporter of libraries and has even been a participant in the African American Read-In in the past. As we know him to be an avid reader, we were curious (and thought you might be too) about his favorite books by African American authors.   I Know Why…

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  • Alafaya Branch 20th Anniversary

    Alafaya Branch 20th Anniversary

    Orange County Library System’s Alafaya Branch is excited to celebrate our 20th Anniversary on Saturday, February 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. You are invited to enjoy a day packed full of events and activities. Hear a story and mingle with visiting animals at Animal Storytime Presented by the Central Florida Fair, laugh out loud with the amazing Jiggleman and…

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  • From the Director,January 2020

    From the Director, January 2020

    The New Year is here, and our staff is ready to hit the ground running! We have an exciting month ahead for you in January, starting with the reopening of our Southeast Branch, which has been closed for a refresh since December 1. When the branch reopens on January 7, expect a fresh new look,…

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  • frugalfeasts-01

    How to Host a Frugal Feast

    We find ourselves smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, meaning it is time to host a plethora of dietary restrictions, picky guests and high expectations. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, Festivus, National Cookie Day, New Year’s, or just having the family over. It is hard to compare yourself with social media being…

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  • The Best Books of 2019, as Decided by a 5-year-old

    The Best Books of the Year, as Decided by a 5-Year-Old

    Last year, I wrote a blog post on my 4-year-old’s favorite books published that year. Well, we’re doing it again! And as you may have guessed, this time she’s 5. This time we have some chapter books added. And this time, we went back through her archive of library checkouts to ensure we didn’t miss…

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  • Eatonville Branch 15th Anniversary

    Eatonville Branch 15th Anniversary

    My name is Patrice Florence-Walker, and it has been an amazing honor to have served as manager of Eatonville Branch since 2007. The staff and I invite you to help us celebrate this milestone on Saturday, January 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Our 15th Anniversary celebration will feature fun events for all ages such as storytelling, crafts,…

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  • The Macomber Miracle Header

    The Macomber Miracle

    Debbie Macomber’s love of books began in earnest when she received her first book at the age of 4 or 5 from a children’s librarian in her hometown of Yakima, Washington. “My mom said that when I was handed the book, I grabbed hold of it with both hands and put it right next to…

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North Orange Branch Closure

North Orange Branch is closed for repair, with an undetermined reopening date. Learn more about the branch closure >