November 1, 2008
Why This Library is a Leader!
For the recently completed fiscal year which closed September 30, 2008, the Library set an all time record for the number of materials checked out by our borrowers, 10,148,812. How does the Library provide all that great service? Through our 440 outstanding employees! The Library is dedicated to providing staff development opportunities in a wide range of areas and just recently our efforts to that end were recognized.
First the Orange County Library System was honored as a Start! Fit-Friendly Company! by the American Heart Association. The Library's Health, Safety & Wellness Committee made up of staff from across the system, plans events and opportunities for the staff to focus on staying fit. From participation in health screenings, the America on the Move Health challenge, and various community charity walks to our annual staff Health Fair our staff found fit friendly ways to improve their lifestyle! Find out more about this award in the October 27, 2008 issue of Forbes Magazine.
At the recent Workforce Central Florida State of the Workforce Summit, the Library received an Employer of Excellence Award in recognition for our training efforts. Two notable programs are our Ready, Set, Go program which prepares staff to provide excellent customer service and our Learn 2.0 and 2.1 programs which encourage staff to explore new technology. Look for a similar program for the public coming up soon!
To see more about other OCLS awards and recognitions please visit our Press Room.
Mary Anne Hodel
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October 1, 2008
OCLS Launches New Strategic Plan
The Orange County Library System and our employees have been involved in creating our new strategic plan since February 2008. Representatives from multiple library locations and major library function areas were invited to participate in the process, ensuring input from a wide cross section of employees, including public service staff, librarians, technology staff, support staff and managers.
We undertook a review of the year's customer service survey results, results from our annual employee satisfaction survey, and numerous statistical views of the organization. Aligning this input with our Mission Statement, approved by the Board in October 2007, was key to our strategic plan development.
After months of discussion and evaluation we agreed on five strategic priorities for the organization.
• Marketing and Recognition: We will develop OCLS as the gold standard for public libraries
• Innovation: We will ensure continuous innovation
• Fiscal Excellence: We will maximize the public's Return on Investment
• Communication: We will develop and optimize communication
• Staff Empowerment: We will empower staff to achieve their potential
With our strategies in place, we asked for staff volunteers to form Action Teams around each of those strategies. Once again our goal was representation from a wide range of locations and functional areas of the library. Nearly 60 staff participated in the process.
The Action Teams were charged with developing action plans to assist the Library in successful achievement of the established strategic goals. Teams worked for several months reviewing the library's current practices, what was happening in other libraries across the country, and what was happening in other industries.
In June 2008, the Action Teams presented their plans to the Strategic Planning Team. The Strategic Planning Teams evaluated the plans based on their affordability vs. impact, urgency, and alignment with the Mission Statement and strategic goal.
The resulting Strategic Plan focuses on developing OCLS as the best organization we can be. This new strategic plan will create an efficiently operating organization with strong external and internal communication. We will be an organization attentive to staff and the power of their contributions, dedicated to innovating our future.
Many thanks to the Action Team and Strategic Planning Team members who worked diligently and with great dedication to develop this challenging and relevant Strategic Plan. There is no doubt that our customers will enjoy the fruits of their labors.
Mary Anne Hodel
Library Director and CEO
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September 1, 2008
Tips for Keeping Those Pennies in Your Pocket
I hope that many of you have seen our announcements, signs and bookmarks regarding a change in some of our fines and fees effective October 1. 2008. The Library's goal is to avoid surprises from these upcoming changes and we are making significant efforts to that end. More information on those changes is available on our website.
We provide many opportunities for you to avoid the accrual of fines on your library account.
The Library provides 3 ways for you to renew your eligible material. Have your card number and PIN ready!
• Go to MyOCLS and renew online 24/7
• Call our automated renewal line 24/7, at 407-316-0021
• Call Questline at 407-835-7323
We'll even send you a series of courtesy* reminders! Do you have an email address or a number at which we can send you a text message? Read On!
Add your email address to your account and receive the following courtesy notices:
• When items are due in 3 days
• When items are 1 day past the due date
• When items are 14 days past the due date.
You can login in to MyOCLS and add your own email address to your account or call Questline at 407 835 7323.
Or join OCLS Alerts and receive these same notices via text message. If you've signed up for a class we'll even send you a text reminder for that!
*Please note that these are courtesy notices. Failure of the notice to be delivered by your email supplier or mobile carrier does not excuse fines.
A few other return tips:
Return Anywhere: Not near your regular library location? No problem. Materials may be returned to any OCLS location. Click here to find a near location or text us to find a convenient return location.
Return After Hours: All OCLS locations have after hours return drops. Please note that materials returned to an after hours drop once a location is closed will be considered returned on the next date on which that location is open.
Return with Confidence: You may request a check in receipt at any location when you return an item to the service desk or drive up window.
Happy Returns to the library again and again!
Mary Anne
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August 5, 2008
Back to School!
It's hard to believe August is here and a new school year is just around the corner. The Orange County Library System has back-to-school celebrations offered at multiple locations this month. In addition, the conclusion of our annual Summer Reading Program culminates with the Around the World Bash on Saturday, August 16 at 3 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library. It will feature a special Lion Dance and Kung Fu performance by Wah Lum Temple plus prizes and fun activities from around the world.
Local homeschoolers won't want to miss Library Resources for Homeschooling. This informative session will be offered on two convenient dates at the Southwest Branch. Learn about all the homeschooling resources available at the library. Check it out either Saturday, August 2 at 10 a.m. or Wednesday, August 6 at 1:30 p.m.
OCLS has plenty of fun ways to savor the last of summer as well. Nothing says summer like watermelon - summer's perennial favorite fruit. Enter one of our four Watermelon Challenge contests for a chance to indulge in this sweet, tasty treat. See details of this program presented by the Watermelon Promotion Board on page page 5 of the August Books & Beyond newsletter.
Looking ahead, please be sure to mark Friday, September 19 on your calendar. That's when Pulitzer Prize winner Seymour Hersh will speak at the Orlando Public Library for our annual Evening with the Author presented by Bright House Networks. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.ocls.info. We hope you will join us for a stimulating evening of insights and intellect.
Mary Anne Hodel
Library Director/CEO
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July 2, 2008
Summer in Swing
We're in the heat of summer and the Orange County Library System offers many opportunities to chill out and cool off. Join us for the opening of an art exhibit with an Asian twist. This month's Art After Hours, An Evening of Asian Inspiration, features the work of five area artists. In addition to presenting work from Asian artists, there will also be Asian food and live entertainment wraps up the evening on an Asian note. It's happening Friday, July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library.
Then on July 12, it's Tiki Time at the Library! Retreat from the heat and treat your family to a luau at the Orlando Public Library. Enjoy island games, prizes, sweet treats and a virtual surfing contest. Presented by the Friends of the Library, this event is July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. when Library Central transforms into a Hawaiian paradise.
Is your lawn losing its luster? Then you won't want to miss Lawn Irrigation 101 at the West Oaks Branch on July 19 at 11 a.m. Learn tricks for greener, healthier grass and how you can grow a lovely lawn using environmentally conscious irrigation methods.
We also have a change in meeting room use for which we are planning. If you are a meeting room user or plan to use them in the future, see this important message!
Finally, I encourage everyone to mark their calendars for Friday evening, September 19. That's when Bright House Networks will present Seymour Hersh, one of America's finest investigative journalists, at the Orlando Public Library. He has been honored with numerous awards including a Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. Hersh has written several books and his most recent bestseller, Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib, has made him once again a subject of national and international attention. Tickets for this event go on sale this month and will be available online at www.ocls.info.
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June 1, 2008
Summer Reading Around the Corner
It's hard to believe that summer is here. School's out and we invite all our students to join us for a fun-filled Summer Reading Program. We have a variety of interesting programs on tap, and we encourage all children and teens to take part and reap the rewards of reading during summer vacation.
June is a time for celebrations and hot new fashions. The folks from InStyle Fashions will visit several branches this month to share the hottest trends in fashion and beauty.
Did you know that June is Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month? In honor of the month, Candy's Cats with host The Cat's Meow at the South Creek Branch Library on Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. Please join in this informational pet program for the chance to adopt your very own new feline friend.
Also this month, we are excited to announce our new curriculum of Mac classes. Learn Mac basics and explore the iWork and iLife suites of multimedia applications. Attend one of these exciting new Mac classes at the Main Library downtown.
Visit any of our 15 locations and load up on just-released titles and bestsellers for all your beach reading. One of our hot picks this month is Calling Home by award-winning writer Janna McMahan. Better yet, hear from McMahan firsthand when she gives a talk and book signing at the Orlando Public Library on Saturday, June 7 at 11:30 a.m. We hope to see you at this program or any of the other sensational summer diversions at your library this season.
Mary Anne Hodel
Library Director/CEO
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May 1, 2008
Spring into Learning!
Here at OCLS we like to "Make the Grade". Find our Report Card to you here. Learn how your Library is stacking up! We think you'll be very proud of your home town library!
Planning a summer trip to a far off location? Brush up on your language skills with our Tell Me More language learning database. Easy online sign up from home gives you access to lessons and practice in languages including German, Italian, French and Spanish. Grab your library card number and PIN and start the adventure.
If politics are your thing, you'll want to hear popular pundit Craig Crawford who regularly appears on cable for CNBC and MSNBC. On Friday, May 9, Crawford will be appearing at the Southwest Branch Library for a social after-hours talk.
Another event you won't want to miss is the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale on May 16, 17 and 18. Everything in the Bookstore (3rd floor of the Orlando Public Library downtown) is 50 percent off, and members enjoy an additional 10 percent off. Not a member yet? There's still time to join! This is your chance to stock up on titles for beach reading and all your summer reading needs.
It's May and it's marvelous at the Orange County Library System! Finally to all the "Moms" out there celebrating Mother's Day this month, we're sending you our very best wishes. Enjoy your special day!
Mary Anne Hodel
Library Director/CEO
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