- Orange County Library System
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Coordinates: 40°45′10″N 73°58′54″W / 40.75270°N 73.98180°W
Orange County Library System 
Established 1923 Location 101 East Central Blvd., Orlando, Florida, 32801 Branches 15 Collection Size 1.5 million items Access and use Population served more than 1 million Orange County Residents Other information Director Mary Anne Hodel Staff Approx. 350 Website http://www.ocls.info The Orange County Library System (OCLS) is a public library system located in the Orlando area of Central Florida. OCLS has headquarters in the Orlando Public Library in Downtown Orlando. The System is made up of 15 total locations, one main library (Orlando Public Library) and 14 branch locations. The Orange County Library System is a 501(c)3 organization.
Contents
History
Before the Orlando Public Library came into existence, the Sorosis Club of Orlando maintained a circulating library for its members. This collection was initially on the second floor of the Old Armory Building on Court Street and was subsequently moved to the Knox building at Pine and Court Streets. On May 11, 1920, Orlando citizens showed by a vote of 417 to 19 that they wanted a library and were willing to pay for it.
Albertson Public LibraryCaptain Charles L. Albertson, a retired Police Inspector of New York City, and a winter resident of Orlando, had for many years been collecting books at his home in Waverly, New York. In November 1920, Captain Albertson offered his collection to the City of Orlando, on the condition that it furnish a suitable building to house it. The contract between the city of Orlando and Captain Albertson provided that Orlando would accept the gift of the Albertson collection and furnish the library building; that the library should be known as the Albertson Public Library; that Captain Albertson should be Advisory Superintendent of the Library throughout his lifetime; and that Orlando should suitably maintain the Library.
Preparation for the 1966 building began in 1962 when construction of a new Main Library was approved by the Orlando voters, and the City acquired additional land adjacent to the original site. In 1964, the library moved to temporary headquarters at 905 North Orange Avenue, the Albertson building was demolished, and construction began. The Orlando Public Library building was dedicated on August 7, 1966. The architect was John M. Johansen of New Canaan, Connecticut. He called his design a "composition in monolithic concrete."
The Library closed its temporary location on July 23 to move into the new building. The Orlando Public Library was dedicated on a rainy Sunday afternoon, August 7, 1966.
As early as 1974 the need to expand the Orlando Public Library was recognized. In 1978, the Library secured from the Orlando City Council a commitment for the whole block to the west of the existing site. In 1980 the voters approved the sale of $22 million in bonds for construction.
In March 1985, the 1966 building was closed. The expansion opened to the public April 8, 1985. Work on renovating the old building began immediately. A Grand Opening Celebration for the expansion and renovation took place April 6, 1986.
The 290,000-square-foot (27,000 m2) building fills a whole city block. It was built with 19,000 cubic yards of concrete. A major challenge given to architect Duane Stark and his team was to design an expansion that would blend seamlessly with the original 1966 Johansen design. The measure of Stark's success is quite apparent in the exterior of the building. The color and texture of the new exterior walls were matched to the rough hewn cedar pattern of the original poured-concrete walls.
Branches
There are 14 branches located around Orange County and one main location, the Orlando Public Library. Some of the services they offer include gaming, programs, and computer classes taught in the English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole languages.
- Alafaya Branch - 12000 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32826
- Eatonville Branch - 200 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville, FL 32751
- Edgewater Branch - 5049 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32810
- Herndon Branch - 4324 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32803
- Hiawassee Branch - 7391 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32818
- North Orange Branch - 1211 E. Semoran Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703
- South Creek Branch - 1702 Deerfield Blvd., Orlando, FL 32837
- South Trail Branch - 4600 S. Orange Blossom Tr., Orlando, FL 32839
- Southeast Branch - 5575 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32822
- Southwest Branch - 7255 Della Dr., Orlando, FL 32819
- Washington Park Branch - 5151 Raleigh St., Suite A, Orlando, FL 32811
- West Oaks Branch - 1821 E. Silver Star Rd., Ocoee, FL 34761
- Windermere Branch - 530 Main St., Windermere, FL 34786
- Winter Garden Branch - 805 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787
Library access
The Materials Access to Your Library (MAYL) program allows library customers with resident cards to request materials for home delivery free of charge. Most deliveries are made by Priority Express Parcel, a private courier, although some are sent by U.S. Mail. This popular service circulates as much, if not more, material as a branch location and is operated in the basement of the Orlando Public Library.
OCLS operates a virtual branch at www.ocls.info which provides access to the library's easy-search catalog, information on programs and classes, and electronic databases of information. Resident cardholders can request materials for home delivery, renew items, browse content in online databases, take virtual computer classes, learn a language and download audiobooks.
In addition, cardholders can access the library on their smart phone or mobile device via an innovative mobile site at m.ocls.info. Using this user-friendly site, cardholders can access their account, order items delivered to home, check item availability, renew items, find locations and directions, access the library event calendar, sign up for computer classes and much more. In 2010, OCLS unveiled their own mobile app, OCLS Shake It, a helpful tool for making book and movie recommendations. OCLS also maintains a comprehensive web presence on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.
Resources and Services
Materials: The library system circulates a large print collection of fiction and non-fiction titles. The expansive collection of materials also includes new and classic movies, music and audio books in multiple formats. The New Release DVDs are made available to cardholders on their actual release date. In 2010, OCLS expanded on its existing music CD collection by becoming one of the first U.S. libraries to offer cardholders free mp3 downloads using an innovative new service called Freegal. Audio Books are available via download using a service called OverDrive, as well as on CD and on preloaded portable mp3 devices, all available for checkout.
Services: The library system offers a number of convenient services including computer classes, language learning software, live tutoring and practice test help, access to information databases, interactive tutorials, and topical eGuides to name a few. In addition, each location regularly hosts free events for children, teens, adults and family. In order to satisfy the interests of a diverse community, these events range in topic from health screenings to storytimes to cooking classes and even live concerts and stage shows.
Assistance: The Orange County Library System performs mobile reference, in which staff roam the library buildings to assist customers rather than wait at a desk for people to approach. Each mobile reference staff member wears a Vocera Communications Badge, a wireless device that uses voice recognition software. With a touch of a button, these badges allow staff to communicate with each other throughout the building and place calls outside the library. The Orlando Public Library houses Questline (407.835.7323), the library’s telephone call center. Questline assistants assist customers with account information, material requests, and reference questions. Questline staff also provide digital reference services through email and Orange Chat, an instant messaging program. Patrons can get assistance via email, live online chat and text as well.
Technology
Through its website, www.ocls.info, OCLS offers podcasts and video podcasts of storytelling and other library events, blogs, and informative virtual galleries on topics that include travel, history, holidays, and more. OCLS cardholders can access a variety of electronic resources, including databases, downloadable audio books, streaming videos, and virtual computer classes. The library system features free Wi-Fi access in all locations, allowing anyone with a library card and a wireless enabled computer or mobile device to use the Internet. In addition, all locations house public computers with Internet access. Several locations provide self-checkout stations that allow customers to check out materials on their own. The library materials that are housed in self-checkout locations are given Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, which store information about the items and identify material at the point of checkout. OCLS was the first public library to offer RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds. To those who subscribe to the feeds, the library delivers news about library events, new technology, and information for children and teens.
Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Orange County Library System is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization first organized in 1947 as a group of citizens in support of OCLS and the role of public libraries in general. Over the years, the Friends have worked to raise funds for the Library System and to educate people about the important role libraries play in the community.
Awards
The Orange County Library System has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions over the years and are regularly invited to present at major national conferences. A partial listing of recent awards and grants appears below:
- Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations Best Friends Awards
OCLS was awarded two Best Friends Awards for two categories: Print Newsletters (Public Library Friends Group without paid staff) and Membership (Public Library Friends Group without paid staff). ALTAFF’s Best Friends Awards recognize Friends groups around the country for print and electronic materials that promote the group and its special programs and projects. Silver Brick Award
- Silver Brick Award
Awarded for the annual Step Off competition program. The award was given by the Downtown Orlando Partnership to honor projects that positively affect the Downtown Development District and contribute significantly to its quality of life - making Downtown Orlando a more exciting, interesting and desirable place to live, work and play.
- Florida Library Association 2011 Library Innovation Award
Awarded in recognition of The Right Service at the Right Time. The award recognizes Florida libraries that have displayed innovative methods, projects, products, or organizational enhancements, such as using current and emerging technologies for library processes or information service delivery.
- American Library Association 2011 Library of the Future
Awarded in recognition of the Technology and Education Center, which offers 1,200 technology classes each month at 15 locations.
- Disney Helping Kids Shine Grant
OCLS awarded a $20,000 grant for its Summer Reading Program. The award came through Disney’s Helping Kids Shine grant program which assists organizations that build better futures for children through ongoing programming.
- Orange County Board of County Commissioners 2010 Best Partner
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners named OCLS a 2010 Best Partner for its library programming on water conservation and sustainability.
- Golden Brick Award
OCLS was bestowed a Golden Brick Award receiving top honors in the Special Event category for the kick-off ceremony for the Citizenship Inspired program. The Annual Golden Brick Awards given by the Downtown Orlando Partnership honor projects that positively affect the Downtown Development District and contribute significantly to its quality of life - making Downtown Orlando a more exciting, interesting and desirable place to live, work and play.
- 2010 Florida Library of the Year
The Orange County Library System was named the 2010 Florida Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association.
- Workforce Central Florida Award of Excellence
The Orange County Library System has been awarded a 2009 Workforce Central Florida Award of Excellence.
- Honorable Mention - OverDrive's Outreach Program Contest
OCLS received an Honorable Mention in OverDrive's Outreach Program Contest. OCLS was selected as a winner based on the creativity and effectiveness of a video campaign to reach new patrons.
- 2009 Rethinking Resource Sharing (RRS) Innovation Award
OCLS was recognized with a 2009 Rethinking Resource Sharing (RRS) Innovation Award for its work on Orlando Memory, a digital archive and social networking community where the users select and contribute content.
- 2008 Workforce Central Florida Award of Excellence
OCLS was recognized with a 2008 Workforce Central Florida Award of Excellence for outstanding training provided to employees.
- 2008 Fit Friendly Companies
OCLS has been named one of the American Heart Association’s 2008 Fit Friendly Companies. The American Heart Association recognizes workplaces that champion the health of their employees by offering programs and resources to help them live longer, heart-healthier lives.
- Recipient National Leadership Grant
OCLS is the recipient of a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the amount of $120,603. Titled Citizenship Inspired, the grant project will focus on service to the pre-naturalized residents of Orange County (numbering over 100,000). Using technology and social networking, and capitalizing on our strong learning platform, OCLS will empower immigrants who have settled in Central Florida to be fully prepared to pass the U.S. Naturalization Test and thereby become full citizens.
- Fit for Life
Libraries for the Future has chosen the Orange County Library System to participate in Fit for Life, a program of Libraries for the Future, made possible through the generous support of the MetLife Foundation. In this very competitive grant, OCLS was one of 17 library systems nationwide selected to promote lifelong health and wellness through community responsive programs. OCLS was awarded the $20,000 to fulfill the grant proposal.
- Smart Investing @ Your Library
The Orange County Library System has been awarded a $96,360 grant to promote investor education.The library system is one of 13 nationwide selected for participation in Smart Investing @ Your Library®, a joint grant program sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation.
- 20th Annual Florida Print Awards: 2007 Best of Category
The Library’s Books & Beyond newsletter won the 2007 “Best of Category” award in the four-color newsletter category in the 20th Annual Florida Print Awards.
- 2007 Best of Show Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) Winner for Young Adult Reading Club Materials
2007 Best of Show Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) Winner for Young Adult Reading Club Materials was awarded to the Orange County Library System. More than 420 entries were submitted for this competition from across the U.S. and Canada.
- 2007 Urban Libraries Council (ULC) Joey Rodger Fund for Library Leadership
Assistant Director Debbie Moss of the Orange County Library System received a 2007 award from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) Joey Rodger Fund for Library Leadership.The award provides $5,000 for a senior-level library administrator to participate in a leadership program or professional development opportunity.
See also
External links
Categories:- Public libraries in Florida
- Education in Orange County, Florida
- Education in Orlando, Florida
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