Raul exudes a ray of positivity each morning when he arrives to make deliveries from headquarters. His helpful demeanor ensures our weekend essentials are always available. Punctual and reliable, we reserve a dedicated parking spot for him. He consistently demonstrates professionalism and courtesy. Raul is part of the Warehouse team that delivers almost 1.9 million items a year to OCPL branches. He helps train new hires for the Warehouse and is ready to step in to help when there is a need.
Allison always goes above and beyond to create incredible displays for Tustin's programs. Her work transforms events into immersive, interactive experiences that families in our community love. Allison's creativity, helpfulness, and positive attitude make her a joy to work with and we appreciate her contributions to the team!
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (October 3, 2024) – OC Public Libraries is pleased to present TeenFest 2024. This year’s annual event celebrating teens will be hosted on Tuesday, October 15 from 3:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. at Tustin Library. Teens ages 12-18 can enjoy free activities, a career panel, and more. The event will conclude with a moderated author talk featuring young adult author, Tracy Badua. Activities include DIY terrariums, an escape room, and a tea demonstration. No registration is required but early arrival is suggested.
Presentations during TeenFest 2024:
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Therapy Fluffies
Teens are invited to decompress at the library after a long day at school with a pawesome time presented by OC Animal Allies. OC Animal Allies will bring trained therapy dogs for the teens to interact with and read to. Check out OC Animal Allies on their Instagram @ocanimalallies or on their website: https://www.ocanimalallies.org/.
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Second Dinner Gaming Career Panel
Teens will have the opportunity to level up their futures with a career panel from the creative minds at Second Dinner. Presenters will include Nicki Broderick (Senior Producer), Brad Crusco (Senior Software Engineer & Game Designer), and Molly Fender Ayala (Senior Marketing Manager). There will be a moderated conversation followed by the opportunity for an audience Q&A. Check out Second Dinner on their Instagram @seconddinnergames or on their website: https://seconddinner.com/.
6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. | Author Talk: Tracy Badua
Tracy Badua is an award-winning Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. By day, she is an attorney who works in national housing policy, and by night, she squeezes in writing, family time, and bites of her secret candy stash. The first 50 attendees will receive a signed copy of her book We’re Never Getting Home. Check out Tracy and her work on her Instagram @tracybaduawrites or on her website: https://tracybadua.com/.
Tustin Library is located at 345 E. Main Street, Tustin, CA 92780.
Emily is a superstellar youth librarian! From detailed planning to non-stop execution, Emily brings sensational children and teen programs to life at El Toro Library, which keeps our lovely families coming back for more! Her natural vibrancy and heartfelt enthusiasm is contagious to others, encouraging many of us to venture to try new things and shine bright alongside her. While Lunch at the Library and our annual Summer Reading season keeps us on our toes, she keeps our library organized from the ground up, ensuring that none of us skip a beat when it comes to serving our community no matter how busy we get. Emily is a rare gem, reinforcing team camaraderie and making sure we all stay balanced and ready for anything that comes our way. They say the early bird catches the worm, only she doesn't just catch the worm, she cultivates a farm for the rest of us to seize the day! Emily exemplifies true librarianship and radiates such unparalleled positivity, that it would be remiss not to celebrate the inspiration that she is.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (August 9, 2024) –OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy.
James McBride, renowned for his landmark memoir, The Color of Water, and his National Book Award-winning The Good Lord Bird, has captivated readers worldwide. With millions of copies sold of his New York Times bestsellers, McBride’s work has left an indelible mark on literature. McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is a runaway New York Times bestseller and named Best Book of the Year by numerous outlets. McBride brings his masterful storytelling skills and his deep faith in humanity to write a novel as compassionate as Deacon King Kong and as inventive as The Good Lord Bird. A former reporter for The Washington Post and People magazine, he holds a Masters degree in journalism from Columbia University.
WHO:
James McBride is an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter.
WHEN:
Tuesday, August 13th at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Crown Valley Community Center – 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92627
WHY:
OC Public Libraries’ mission is to provide access to information and promote literacy at all ages. Access to world-class authors inspires reading communities to meet powerful role models in the literary world. A Slice of Literary Orange celebrates literacy and promotes books and reading!
REGISTRATION:
No registration required, all ages welcome. Early arrival is suggested. Books are available for purchase, courtesy of Mysterious Galaxy.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (August 9, 2024) – OC Public Libraries is thrilled to announce that Jefferson Fisher, a board-certified Texas trial lawyer and founder of Fisher Firm, will be a speaker at one of our upcoming events. With his extensive experience in high-stakes litigation, Fisher has become a household name in legal circles and beyond. Fisher’s remarkable journey to success is nothing short of inspiring. From inside his vehicle, he has amassed over 9 million social media followers, making him the most followed litigation attorney globally. His practical videos and authentic presence have captivated audiences, demonstrating the art of persuading and communicating effectively in high-conflict situations. As part of his mission to promote positivity and meaningful dialogue, Fisher hosts the #1 Communication Podcast worldwide. Through insightful conversations, he encourages people to reconnect and learn how to talk to each other again.
WHO:
Jefferson Fisher is a board-certified attorney and graduate of the University of Texas and Texas Tech School of Law
WHEN:
Thursday, August 15th at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Norma Hertzog Community Center – 1845 Park Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92627
WHY:
OC Public Libraries’ mission is to provide access to information and promote literacy at all ages. Access to world-class authors inspires reading communities to meet powerful role models in the literary world.
REGISTRATION:
No registration required. Early arrival is suggested.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (July 25, 2024) –OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy.
Henry Winkler, best known for his iconic role as “The Fonz” on the classic television show Happy Days, has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning over five decades in Hollywood. In addition to his work on screen, Winkler has also made a significant impact as a children’s book author, co-writing the popular Hank Zipzer series, inspired by his own experiences with dyslexia. His autobiography, BEING HENRY... The Fonz and Beyond, was published last October. It was on the New York Times best-seller list for 11 weeks and was a Good Reads Award winner for Best Humor book.
WHO:
Henry Winkler is a New York Times bestselling author.
WHEN:
Henry Winkler – Thursday, August 1st at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Henry Winkler – Laguna Hills Community Center – 25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
WHY:
OC Public Libraries’ mission is to provide access to information and promote literacy at all ages. Access to world-class authors inspires reading communities to meet powerful role models in the literary world. A Slice of Literary Orange celebrates literacy and promotes books and reading!
REGISTRATION:
No registration required. Early arrival is suggested. Books are available for purchase, courtesy of Mysterious Galaxy.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (July 23, 2024) – OC Public Libraries is proud to announce its selection as one of eight libraries to receive the Sustainable California Libraries grant from the California State Library. This $75,000 grant is designed to promote sustainability through resource sharing, improving efficiency, and creative reuse.
The project “Sharing Resources, Building Community” will introduce a curated collection of Library of Things at six branches strategically distributed across Orange County during fiscal year 2024-2025. This collection will include a selection of gardening tools, home efficiency kits, induction cooktops, sewing machines, Cricut machines, and other items for the community to share. OC Public Libraries will actively seek input from library users at these locations to help grow their branch’s Library of Things collection. In addition to the Library of Things expansion, OC Public Libraries will host a series of workshops and events focusing on sustainable gardening, creative reuse/upcycling, mending, efficiency practices, and more with dates to be announced later this year.
OC Public Libraries began a Library of Things collection earlier this year with a pilot program at six branches lending outdoor games and musical instruments, and will be expanding to the Fountain Valley, Laguna Niguel, and Los Alamitos-Rossmoor branches by Fall 2024 with collections of children’s toys and kitchen tools. The Library of Things promotes resource sharing, reduces consumption, and helps community members save money by borrowing instead of buying. The grant will expand Library of Things collections at the Costa Mesa-Donald Dungan, San Clemente, and Westminster branches in addition to creating new collections at the El Toro, La Habra, and San Juan Capistrano branches.
Interested in checking out items from the OC Public Libraries’ Library of Things? Visit the Costa Mesa, Cypress, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Tustin, and Westminster branches.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (July 5, 2024) –OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy.
Daniel Silva has been called his generation’s finest writer of international intrigue and one of the greatest American spy novelists ever. Silva is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author, his books are critically acclaimed bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than thirty languages.
WHO:
Daniel Silva is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and is one of the most prolific spy novelists of all time.
WHEN:
Daniel Silva – Friday, July 12th at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Daniel Silva – Norma Hertzog Community Center – 1845 Park Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
WHY:
OC Public Libraries’ mission is to provide access to information and promote literacy at all ages. Access to world-class authors inspires reading communities to meet powerful role models in the literary world. A Slice of Literary Orange celebrates literacy and promotes books and reading!
REGISTRATION:
No registration required. Early arrival is suggested. Complimentary books are available while supplies last.
