After serving as the manager of the South Trail Branch for 16 years, Carolyn McClendon retired.
Carolyn McClendon came to OCLS in 2004, with a wonderful variety of library experience. From 1977 – 1986, Carolyn worked in the newspaper library at the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate and State Times. Upon moving to Orlando in 1987, she began work at the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper Library until 1994. A move to South Carolina allowed Carolyn to attend the University of South Carolina where she graduated with her MLS in 1996. Carolyn came back to the Orlando area and was the librarian for the Disney Animation Studios from May 1996 to March 2004, when the studio closed.
Next Carolyn came to OCLS! She started her OCLS journey in Questline as an Assistant Manager. She worked in Questline from March 2004 – December 2004, for Gregg Gronlund. Carolyn was then transferred to West Oaks and worked there for 9 months under Jim Baker, then found herself back at the Main Library in 2005 working for Nedra Blanke and then Donna Bachowski in Reference Central. Carolyn went back to branches and worked at Alafaya for a year and a half with Renae Bennett and spent 2 weeks at North Orange with Carolyn Rosenblum before she was promoted to the position of Manager at the South Trail Branch. Carolyn worked at South Trail from March 2008 – March 2024.
Carolyn noted that the South Trail community is so appreciative of the programs and classes OCLS offers. The branch can make an immediate impact from the minute customers step into the door. From ESOL classes, computer classes, sewing classes, and children’s programs the impact is felt. Staff get to know the community and know the people and the families. It takes a village to help raise kids and the South Trail Branch is an important part of the village.
Carolyn’s favorite library program was the Prime Time Family Reading program, supported by the Florida Humanities Council. The South Trail hosted this program 5 times during her tenure. Carolyn remembers one family that participated in every one of these programs. The granddaughter is now an honors student at Valencia, and her grandmother credits the library with this success. This program was started by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library (where Carolyn is from) and teaches families to read together and discuss issues with open ended questions; there are no wrong answers. Carolyn witnessed so many families grow in their understanding of each other with this program and cannot sing enough praises for Prime Time!
In 2015 Carolyn applied for the ExploreTech traveling exhibit hosted by StarNet. This exhibit was for underserved areas to pique interest in STEM careers. The South Trail was awarded the program and hosted an opening party to which they invited an inspiring NASA Engineer who was Haitian. This engineer inspired the group as she spoke of her role at NASA. Through this project Carolyn got to know Anne Holland, a key figure in StarNet, the organization that provided eclipse glasses for the 2017 eclipse. At the time, the manager of the Southwest Branch and the South Trail Branch applied and got 4000 glasses. Carolyn mentioned that unfortunately the media told everyone to go to their library for eclipse glasses. Needless to say, the branches ran out or eclipse glasses and people were not happy.
Much was learned about what not to do for future eclipses. As luck would have it, Anne Holland moved to Orlando and wanted to make a connection with OCLS. She sent Carolyn an email and they set up meetings and trainings to get ready for the 2023 eclipse. The best part was that StarNet donated 20,000 glasses for the 2023 and 2024 eclipses.
From outer space viewing opportunities to the South Trail community branch, Carolyn’s leadership impacted Orange County residents. She implemented a scope of programs to meet varied needs, fostering a culture that encouraged customers to learn, grow, and connect. Carolyn cared about the customers she served, whether it be the food they had to eat or finishing a high school degree. In these many ways, Carolyn McClendon helped to change lives through her service with the Orange County Library System.
Carolyn McClendon
Carolyn McClendon served as the Manager of the South Trail Branch for 16 years.
The South Trail Branch Staff in Purple, with Carolyn McClendon.
The South Trail Branch Staff in Purple, with Carolyn McClendon.
The South Trail Branch Staff at Staff Day, with Carolyn McClendon.
The South Trail Staff at Staff Day at the Orlando Public Library, celebrate the 100th anniversary of the library system.
OCLS Staff in Eclipse Glasses.
OCLS Staff prepare for the eclipses in 2023 and 2024.
Carolyn McClendon serving meals in Tiger apparel.
Carolyn McClendon, a devoted fan of Louisiana State University, serves food in a purple tiger striped jacket.