Library To Introduce Mobile Services With Help From Sorosis Of Orlando

Library will bring a bookmobile, book bicycles to Orange County, thanks to $100,000 donation made at 100 Year Celebration Kickoff

left to right: OCLS Chief Project Officer Lynette Schimpf – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer – OCLS Director/CEO Steve Powell – Sorosis of Orlando Vice President Susan Piner – Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings – City Commissioner Patty Sheehan – FL House Representative Anna V. Eskamani – OCLS Chief of Lifelong Learning Sara Gonzalez

ORLANDO – Orange County Library System announced today that it plans to introduce mobile services to expand access to library services and materials. Thanks to a $100,000 donation from Sorosis of Orlando Woman’s Club, the library plans to bring a bookmobile and book bicycles to the county.

The library’s bookmobile services were suspended in 1979, so the library could focus on building its popular home-delivery service. As Orange County has developed, however, there are a growing number of people who don’t have easy access to one of the library’s 15 locations.

“As our county grows, we need to look for new and innovative ways to deliver services, especially to areas with transportation needs and other challenges,” said Library Director/CEO Steve Powell. “A bookmobile will go a long way toward addressing those challenges. We are grateful to Sorosis of Orlando for this very generous donation.”

The library’s first bookmobile was donated by Sorosis of Orlando Woman’s Club in 1949. Sorosis Vice President Susan Piner said that the club’s future has been uncertain ever since the sale of its building, where the club hosted meetings and events. The club wanted to use its remaining funds to support causes that will help keep its legacy alive.

“Donating funds to help the library realize their plans brings us full circle,” said Sorosis of Orlando Vice President Susan Piner. “It is with great pleasure that the Sorosis of Orlando Woman’s Club presents this check for $100,000 to the library.”

The announcement was made on January 7, at the library’s 100 Year Celebration Kickoff at Orlando Public Library. During the event, Powell was joined by members of Sorosis of Orlando and elected officials, including Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and County Commissioner Nicole Wilson. During the event, the library system also held a ribbon cutting and ceremony to rededicate the library to the community for the next 100 years.

For more information about the library’s 100 Year Celebration, visit ocls.info/100.