ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (January 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 libraries and literature.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the New York Times bestselling author of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau and Mexican Gothic as well as other critically acclaimed novels. Her writing spans multiple genres, including historical fiction, horror, noir, and fantasy. Silvia Moreno-Garcia will be in conversation with the author Marytza Rubio. 

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (January 16, 2024) –OC Public Libraries invites the community to visit the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library for two upcoming literary events. 

Bricia Lopez is an esteemed entrepreneur and cultural ambassador. She has become a pivotal figure in the Los Angeles culinary landscape. Through Guelaguetza, her family's James Beard award-winning restaurant in Koreatown, Bricia and her siblings have propelled Oaxacan cuisine and culture to the forefront of the modern gastronomic scene. 

Tlotlo Tsamaase is a Motswana writer, her novella, The Silence of Wilting Skin, is a Lambda Literary Award finalist, and was the first Motswana nominee for the Rhysling Award. Tlotlo received support from the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, and her story Behind Our Irises jointly won the Nommo Award. 

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (November 22, 2023) –OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy. 

Mitch Albom is an internationally renowned and bestselling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician. His books have collectively sold more than 40 million copies worldwide; have been published in forty-nine territories and in forty-eight languages around the world; and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically acclaimed television movies.  

Douglas Preston is the author of thirty-six books, both fiction and non-fiction, twenty-nine of which have been New York Times bestsellers. He has worked as an editor at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and taught non-fiction writing at Princeton University. His newest book The Lost Tomb will be published in December. Douglas Preston will be in conversation with the author Paddy Hirsch.  

Congratulations to Employees of the Month, Chad, Christine, Carmen, Mahshid, Dorie, and Douglas! This team of individuals demonstrated extraordinary courage and teamwork during an emergency at the Laguna Niguel Library. They used their training and knowledge, along with their good judgment to work as a team quickly. OC Public Libraries and Laguna Niguel owes a big thanks to the collective action of these six exceptional individuals. Aside from their dedication to daily branch operations, they embody the spirit of teamwork, resilience, and community service that defines OCPL. Thank you! 

Beginning April 15, 2024, the Aliso Viejo library will be closed for tenant enhancements. Holds may be picked up at the El Toro Library, 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, CA, 92630 949)-855-8173

We are excited to share that Grace is OCPL’s Employee of the Month! Grace's dedication and kindness shine through in all she does, as she generously offers her time, skills, and eagerness to assist colleagues and patrons alike. She organizes and presents an engaging Korean bilingual storytime each month that continues to attract a growing audience. Her positive energy, creativity, and ability to involve attendees through singing, dancing, and crafting make the storytimes a hit. As a member of the Outreach Committee, Grace is a key player in numerous events, effectively promoting OCPL and our services and encouraging patrons to engage in system-wide activities. She truly represents the spirit of excellence and service that we value at OCPL.

Congratulations to Olivia, OCPL’s employee of the month! Olivia's team-player mentality is evident in her proactive approach to sharing knowledge and building collective expertise. She actively invites colleagues to participate in her programs, anticipating future needs and providing valuable hands-on experience.  Olivia willingly takes on various projects and readily volunteers during periods of coverage gaps. Her reliability and eagerness to support the team contribute significantly to the smooth operation of her branch library and systemwide events. Beyond her professional contributions, Olivia stands out as a supportive and approachable team member. Always willing to lend an ear and serve as a sounding board, she creates an inclusive and open atmosphere where colleagues feel comfortable discussing ideas and challenges.

Emily is a librarian with OC Read, OC Public Libraries’ literacy department, a program designed to support adult learners by providing foundational tutoring for Orange County adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills. Literacy programs have the power to change people’s lives and Emily works on the frontlines of literacy. She works directly with learners and tutors, and she lets her passion for literacy shine in all that she does. Emily strives to make a positive impact on the community by serving with patience, empathy, and enthusiasm. You can find Emily managing tutor-learner pairs, working with literacy curriculum, conducting outreach in the community, providing literacy-based programs, writing grant reports, and more! Emily is also the co-chair of OC Public Libraries’ Charlie Cart Committee; this committee celebrates food literacy and nutrition education through hands-on cooking programming. Emily has an incredibly strong work ethic which is recognized and appreciated by all her co-workers and the community she serves.

Congratulations to the Employee of the Month, Will from the OCIT team!

Will's unwavering commitment to his role in supporting OCPL is truly commendable, as he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the success of the team. Will collaborates seamlessly with OCPL staff and colleagues, fostering a positive and productive work environment. His diligence is not only reflected in the quality of his work but also in his efforts to find innovative solutions that contribute significant cost savings for OCPL. Will's ability to identify and implement efficiency measures has had a tangible impact on the organization's financial health. His work ethic, combined with a genuine passion for his responsibilities, makes Will an invaluable asset to the team, and a deserving recipient of the Employee of the Month recognition.

Congratulations to the OCPL Employee of the Month, Carl!

Carl brings laughter and good will in with him every day! His Music and Movement Storytime is one of the highest attended regularly scheduled programs at Tustin. He also does an Enrichment Storytime for adults with unique needs. His Adult Enrichment Storytime provides weekly engaging services to adults with special needs, and he has expanded his language skills by assisting with the Bilingual Chinese Storytime. Carl is always looking for ways to make work fun and inclusive.

 Not only is Carl’s joyful personality a pleasure to work with, but his willingness to go above and beyond makes him a valuable team player! He enthusiastically volunteers to assist with large author visits, including events featuring Daniel Silva, Nancy Horan, and Tiffany Haddish, where he engages with audience members, creates library card accounts, and promotes future events. His charming personality shines in all his interactions, bringing smiles to the patrons around him. His prominent role in the programming at the Tustin Library demonstrates his creativity and courage to try new things. Carl’s determination to provide his support and expertise in any situation makes him an instrumental part of the OCPL team and we are lucky to have him!