Books and Beyond 1996-1999

Books and Beyond

Books and Beyond, the Orange County Library System newsletter, has come a long way since the first issue was published in 1996. Early library publications include Footnotes 1966-1970, the Friends of the Library Newsletter, and simpler versions of the Books and Beyond 1996-1999, below.

Simpler early versions of Books and Beyond 2000-2004 blossomed through the years with the first full-color Books and Beyond published in October 2002, the first stapled version published in October 2003, and the first in the current magazine format was published in February 2007 and the cover changed in February 2019 with the addition of the OCLS logo to the top left corner. You can the the events, art, innovation, and the history of the Orange County Library System in the 2005 to 2022 Books and Beyond .

A special OCLS 100th logo was featured on Books and Beyond published in 2023, reverting to the “orange slice” logo in January 2024, but just for one month. A totally new cover design and layout began with the February 2024 edition that did not incorporate the library’s logo.

As we prepared to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the library in 2023, it became clear that these publications preserve the history of the Friends of the Library and the many special events, programs, art displays and innovation shared with the people of Orange County through the years in a unique way.

Each edition of Books and Beyond published in 2023 represents a decade in the library’s history from 1920-2020 and features the library’s special 100th anniversary logo. Enjoy these mini history capsules as we begin our next 100 years here at OCLS!

The current, Books and Beyond is a monthly 32-page color magazine featuring classes, programs and special events. It is accompanied by an online version which is emailed to subscribers. Each edition is truly a work of art! Explore the happenings at the libraries in the Orange County Library System in these mini time capsules!

Books and Beyond 1996-1999

The first Books and Beyond was published in October 1996 and announced by the Friends of the Library.

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The 1996 Books and Beyond has dedicated sections: Friends of the Library, Children’s Corner, Special Programs for Everyone, and Etc., which includes Library locations, important dates and events. While the 1996 Books and Beyond was larger than the FOL newsletter, it was still a single sheet printed on colorful paper folded to create four pages. The Books and Beyond publication took a giant leap forward with the first full-color 6-page publication in October 2002. It kept growing until that format was replaced by a 20-page magazine in February or March 2007. The size continued to expand to 24 pages in April and 28 pages in November.

View October 1996 Books and Beyond.

1996

May 1996 is the last Friends of the Library Newsletter we have, but the first Books and Beyond was the October 1996 edition. We are not sure if the June-September editions exist, but we are searching for them to complete the collection!

Surfing is the hot topic in October 1996 – not the big waves at Cocoa Beach, but the internet in the library! The Discover Broadway at the Library series with the Florida Theatrical Association, moderated by Ben Brotemarkle of WMFE 90.7 FM is back for the 1996-1997 season. The December Books and Beyond promotes Library Open Forums scheduled monthly through March 1997 with Library Director Dorothy Field and the administrative staff.

October         November         December

View April 1997 Books and Beyond.

1997

In January, Music in the Library and Discover Broadway in the Library continue and Second Saturday features the Festival Chamber Singers from the Bach Festival Choir under the direction of Dr. John Sinclair. The February edition promotes the Quest Line reference service. The April B&B promotes MAYL, the library’s home delivery service. MAYL began in 1974 as Mailbox Access From Your Library, but the meaning changed to Materials Access From Your Library since most items were no longer mailed but delivered. Authors Loreen Leedy and Ed Bloor participated in Reading Fest in October 1997 and the library announced that Library On Line was live!

January          February          March         April       May         June         July

August         September         October         November         December

View November 1998 Books and Beyond.

1998

Smokey Joe’s Café was next in the Discover Broadway series in January, and Dr. John Sinclair and the Festival Chamber Singers from the Bach Festival Choir perform for Second Saturday. The June issue promotes the release of Library On Line Second Edition with the ability to request items for home delivery, leave a question for reference staff, leave a comment or suggestion and access a periodical database of magazines.

View December 1998 Books and Beyond.

The Second Saturday event in November 1998 celebrates the library’s Diamond Jubilee – 75 years of service – with director Dorothy Field and award-winning Florida author Patrick Smith, and the Herndon Library grand opening celebration is December 3rd.

January          February          March         April       May         June         July

August         September         October         November         December

Note: The January 1998 Books and Beyond was printed as January 1997. This is the reason the 7 is overwritten with an eight.

View February 1999 Books and Beyond.

1999

The February 1999 B&B announces the groundbreaking for the new East Orange Library. The May edition features an invitation to the grand opening of the new Children’s Library on May 23, with fanciful murals depicting scenes from the Wizard of Oz, a cracker-style “Cross Creek” porch reminiscent of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and a colorful mobile called “Under the Sea”. Also in May, the Sweet Adelines performed at Music in the Library, Sunset Boulevard was the Discover Broadway selection, and Mark Andrews and Jim Robison presented Citrus Central: the role of citrus in Central Florida’s history and development.

View May 1999 Books and Beyond.

The report on the FOL Annual Meeting and Volunteer Luncheon and the election of new Officers for the Friends of the Library Board was also featured, as it is every June. The October B&B announces the addition of the Orlando Sentinel Online featuring full text of newspaper articles from 1985 to present. The November B&B invites families, teachers and childcare givers to an Open House at South Trail, Washington Park, North Orange, West Orange and Main.

January          February          March         April       May         June         July

August         September         October         November         December

Peruse Books and Beyond from 2000-2004.