Ocls-blog logo

library staff

  • WhatDoesHispanciHeritageMonthMeanToYou-01

    What Does Hispanic Heritage Month Mean to You?

    In 1968, President Johnson commemorated the first Hispanic Heritage Week to honor the cultures and contributions of Latin Americans in our country. Twenty years later, President Reagan expanded the week-long celebration from September 15 through October 15, thus creating Hispanic Heritage Month. But why does it start in the middle of September? September 15 is…

    Read More

  • 6LatinxAuthors-01

    6 Latinx Authors to Read During Hispanic Heritage Month

    In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we gathered just a few of the most meaningful books written by Latinx authors we’ve read in our lifetimes. This is an ideal time to pick up a new-to-you book and explore the varied, complex experiences of Latinx authors and the characters they’ve brought to life in these stories.…

    Read More

  • Were Reopening With Care-01

    We’re Reopening, With Care

    “The library hasn’t been closed, only our buildings have.” I’ve repeated this refrain often over the past couple of months when friends and neighbors would ask about our reopening. We’ve been able to offer an impressive amount of services online during this time and it has been heartening to see a large amount of Orange…

    Read More

  • ADayintheLifeHeader-01-01

    A Day in the Life

    As part of National Library Week, a yearly celebration of libraries, librarians and library workers, we asked some of our staff (and their pets) working and teaching from home to share how they are adjusting to working from home. Check out National Library Week at Orange County Library System to find out more about how we…

    Read More

  • Become Your Best Self with the Enneagram

    Become Your Best Self with the Enneagram

    I never expected to benefit from yet another personality test but as it turns out researching my Enneagram type was a wise choice. With a limited investment of time, you can learn a ton about yourself and the people you love.     The Enneagram types, represented by numbers one through nine, are more than personalities. They help to explain a person’s worldview, self-image and motivations. For example, I learned that people of my type, the Four, strive to be unique and authentic. They tend to…

    Read More

  • 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…

    Read More

  • 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…

    Read More

  • 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…

    Read More

  • 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…

    Read More

  • 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…

    Read More