Library Corner | By Jocklyn Mundy | Photos courtesy of Orange County Library System
With a passion for community engagement and lifelong learning, new Windermere Branch Manager Brittany Laur brings a wealth of experience and a strong connection to our community to her new role. Since joining the Windermere Branch as Assistant Manager in early 2024, Brittany has demonstrated exceptional dedication to connecting with patrons and expanding library programs and services for people of all ages—an invaluable asset to our community.
Brittany Laur
Windermere Branch Manager
Brittany, tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to the library.
I was born and raised in Orlando. Before joining Orange County Library System, I worked at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for 15 years. My home library as a child was the West Colonial Branch, and we frequently visited Orlando Public Library. The library was there for me throughout my developmental years and came back into my life when I was yearning for change, stability and a chance to collaborate with the community.
What makes Windermere Branch unique?
What I love about the Windermere Branch is that it has a quaint, small-town feel, while providing access to large surrounding cities and communities. To better serve our customers, we offer a diverse selection of books. When you visit our branch, not only will you see the newest and most popular items, but you will also find books in Spanish and Portuguese.
Is there a fun fact about Windermere Branch you can share?
In our collection, we have the book “Windermere Among the Lakes: the story of a small town.” The book features the history of the township. While we may be a smaller branch, customers can enjoy a cozy read in our seating area to learn more about Windermere right in the branch.
What are some of your favorite programs at Windermere Branch?
A library is more than just books. I enjoy hosting the program “Macaroni Mania.” In this program, kids ages 6-12 get to exercise their creativity through the artistic medium of pasta! I love seeing the ingenuity of our young customers. Our staff teach a wide variety of subjects from Homeschool programs to chess, Dungeons & Dragons, LEGO and more. During the summertime, we have special outside presenters for Summer at Your Library. I love our animal presenters, because I get to see animals from the cutest to most exotic.
What’s your favorite book or genre?
As a child, I was never a strong reader and struggled with reading comprehension. It was the passion of my English teachers who helped me to find books that I loved to read. My first connection to a book was when I read “Muggie Maggie,” by Beverly Cleary. Later, my sixth grade English teacher introduced me to the world of Edgar Allen Poe. To this day, Poe is one of my absolute favorite authors and I am captivated by the horror genre.
What have been some of your best moments working at the Windermere Branch?
I love the connections that I get to make with customers. From the young customer who drew me a picture, to the families who continue to return after enjoying “Prime Time Family Reading Time,” to the customer who shared their enjoyment of a book recommendation I made. The library is for everyone and I am happy to call it my home.
Orange County Library System | ocls.org
