Library Corner | By Steve Powell, Library Director/CEO, Orange County Library System | Photos courtesy of Orange County Library System
The phrase “there’s something for everyone at the library” has never been truer as Orange County Library System celebrates National Library Week, hosts the 19th Annual Southwest Author Series and offers opportunities to read, explore and play this April.
To kick-off spring festivities, visit your local Windermere Branch on Thursday, April 2, for Preschool Tales at 10:15 a.m., Toddler Tales at 10:45 a.m. and Baby Tales at 11:15 a.m. Build early literacy and discover a love of books through story, song and fun.
Seniors can get moving in an energizing and relaxing exercise sequence with Yoga for Seniors on Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. or explore their artistic side with Senior Art Expressions, a guided visual arts class, on Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m.
Teens can explore a world of art, experiment with new techniques, and create their own poetic masterpiece in Teen Art Adventures: Poetry Redesigned on Wednesday, April 29, at 2 p.m. at the Windermere Branch.
As for adults... get ready to embark on a transformative journey and discover the ancient practice of Qigong at Qigong Movement and Breathing on Saturday, April 4, at 10:30 a.m.
And, just in time for Earth Day, Master Gardener Volunteers from the UF/IFAS Orange County Extension Office will give you the answer to all your gardening dilemmas when their Plant Clinic comes to Windermere on Tuesday, April 7, at 10:30 a.m., or join them at the nearby Winter Garden Branch on April 11, at 10:15 a.m. Bring your plants and finally develop that green thumb!
With all this diverse programming, there’s truly something for everyone to explore at the library. Don’t have a library card? There’s no better time to get one than during National Library Week. Sign up for a library card in-person at any OCLS location April 19-25, and you'll receive a fun gift, while supplies last. Keep an eye on ocls.org and follow our social channels for special library content throughout the week; we’re buzzing with excitement.
The Southwest branch will end National Library Week with a thrill — the 19th Annual Southwest Author Series featuring bestselling novelist Tess Gerritsen on Friday, April 24, at 7 p.m. Gerritsen will talk about her medical career turned writing career and the inspiration behind her 32 thriller and suspense novels, including the Rizzoli & Isles series. A book sale and signing will follow the talk. Register at ocls.org for this special evening event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips.
From technology classes, language learning and citizenship prep to creative challenges, family fun and fitness, the library provides new ways each month for you to learn, grow and connect. Visit ocls.org to explore all your library has to offer or download our app for a mobile library experience on the go!
