Talking Points - May 2025
| Florida Library Association Awards |
Steve Powell, director and CEO of the Orange County Library System, is Florida Library Association’s (FLA) 2025 Administrator of the Year for his outstanding contributions through distinguished service to the library system. Florida Library Association also awarded OCLS’ Marketing and Public Relations team this year’s Communications Excellence Award. In October 2024, OCLS launched a new logo and strategic plan supported by a comprehensive communications campaign highlighting the library’s commitment to being “Welcoming, Connected, Forward-thinking and Empowered.”
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Orlando Book Festival |
Orlando Book Festival returns to Orlando Public Library on Saturday, May 17, featuring panels and talks from authors across the state. New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer will give the keynote; festival attendance is free and open to the public but registration is required to attend the keynote. Visit ocls.org/obf for more information and a list of authors. |
| Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Immerse yourself in vibrant history with a Polynesian Dance Performance at Chickasaw Branch on Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m. Enjoy a lion dance and kung fu and tai chi demonstration at the Kung Fu Show- Presented by Wah Lum Kung Fu at Orlando Public Library on Saturday, May 31, at 1 p.m. Learn Chinese Painting Basics during a virtual class on Monday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. Visit ocls.info/aanhpi for a full catalog of events. |
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Mental Health Awareness Month |
Check out self-care with your library during Mental Health Awareness Month with Yoga for Anxiety, a virtual event on Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m. and in-person yoga programming at multiple branches. Learn more about the connection between mental and physical health during Improving Your Mental Health, a virtual event on Wednesday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m. Connect with local services including Orange County’s Citizens Resource & Outreach Division, legal services, health services and more during a Community Resource Fair at Hiawassee Branch on Tuesday, May 27, from 2-3:30 p.m.
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About Talking Points:
To enhance our customer service efforts, Marketing and Public Relations will provide monthly talking points for staff. Our hope is that unified messaging will lead to more effective communication with customers. While frontline staff will naturally be key to the success of this initiative, all staff are encouraged to participate. Talking points do not need to be memorized and will be more effective in the staff member’s own words. Additionally, we hope this can be a great resource for staff to use as talking points for the Monthly Mystery Shopper program.
For questions about the talking points, please contact MPR at x7481.
Please enjoy these highlights promoting our systemwide initiatives, events and programs. Cheers!
April 2025
Nonprofit’s free shower service helps Orlando’s homeless people feel clean, comfortable
March 2025
BL Manga with Kelley in FL - The Checkout Stack | Podcast on Spotify
The Orange County Library System celebrates Women’s History Month - The Community Paper
💖 February 2025 🫀
AEDS, blood pressure cuffs available at local libraries | West Orange Times & Observer
Black History Month: Things to do in Orlando
Orlando Game Jam coming to Melrose Center this month - Bungalower
👩🏾🚀 Florida library program teaches kids to reach for the stars with Black history lesson
Horizon West Library opening up in 2026
Celebrate Women’s History Month in March with Orange County’s library events
⛄ January 2025 ⛄
Teaching kids about money: Libraries bridge the education gap
❄️ December 2024 ❄️
📚 Love reading, nature? This Florida book club takes the library outdoors
🍂 November 2024 🍂
101 Things to Love About Central Florida - 2024
From Vision to Reality: Horizon West Breaks Ground on New Library
PHOTOS: Horizon West Library groundbreaking | West Orange Times & Observer
Groundbreaking Ceremony: A New Era for Horizon West Library | Horizon West Happenings
October 2024
September 2024
OCLS launches "Pick Your Card" for Library Card Sign-up Month - Bungalower
September is Library Card Sign-up Month - The Community Paper
🎒 August 2024 ✏️
Best Free Stuff: OCLS extras 2024 | Services | Orlando (orlandoweekly.com)
City of Orlando nears construction on Lake Nona project with library – WFTV
How to Get a Library Card Online (earlybirdbooks.com)
🎸 July 2024 🌞
Importance of summer reading (wesh.com)
Downtown Orlando hidden treasure offers free job training, more (clickorlando.com)
Melrose Pop Festival gathers a gang of heady locals to rip it live at the Orlando Public Library | Orlando | Orlando Weekly
🏳️🌈 June 2024 📖
5th-generation Eatonville native shares history, pride at Juneteenth event (clickorlando.com)
Yarnfiti: Community art project in Orange County (wesh.com)
🌼 May 2024 🌺
Florida Wildlife Corridor, Dave’s House, Orlando Book Festival, Kerouac House, Tayari Jones
Orlando Public Library hosting Orlando Book Festival on May 18
☔ April 2024 ☔
Free social worker services offered at these Central Florida libraries, no card required
It’s National Library Week At Orange County Library System
🌞 March 2024 🌞
Visiting the South Creek Library Community Garden | Earth Day 2024
🌷 February 2024🌷
Get free passes for family attractions through this Central Florida library system
FAMILIAR FACES: Lelia Higgins creates life of reading and running
