Friends of Orange County Public Library
June 2026 Newsletter
1981–2026: Celebrating 45 Years
Anniversary
Friends at 45
With 4th of July festivities for the 250th just around the corner, it’s worth reflecting: every organization has a founding document.
For the Friends of the Orange County Library, that document was adopted on November 5, 1981, when a group of local residents came together to form the organization (formally incorporated six months later).
Reading that original resolution today, it’s striking how familiar it sounds:
“To maintain an association of persons interested in books and libraries; to focus public attention on and stimulate public interest in library services, facilities, and needs; to stimulate gifts of books, magazines, endowments and bequests and to encourage increased usage of the library facilities and services.”
Forty-five years later, those words still describe much of what we do. What stands out most is how little has really changed. Bookshelves have been joined by e-books, hotspots, and digital collections, but the idea that inspired those first Friends is the same one that keeps us going: a great library deserves a community willing to support it.
This spring, when the library faced proposed service reductions, that idea showed up in force. More than 500 residents shared stories, signed petitions, submitted comments, or contacted County Commissioners directly, carrying forward the very mission those founders set out in 1981.
Forty-five years later, we’re grateful you’re a part of that tradition. Thank you for being a Friend. Here’s to the next 45!
Library Programs
Summer Reading Is Underway
What a way to start the summer!
On May 30, families from across Orange County gathered at River Park for the Summer Reading Kickoff and Resource Fair. Staff estimated roughly 1,200 people attended, making it the largest kickoff the library has ever hosted.
There were crafts, games, performers, and community organizations throughout the park. At the Friends tent, kids sifted through sand to uncover real North Carolina fossils dating back millions of years, keeping whatever they found.
The kickoff began this year’s Summer Reading Program, which runs through July 25 and is open to children, teens, and adults. Whether you’re reading picture books at bedtime, listening to audiobooks on a road trip, or finally picking up that book you’ve meant to read, Summer Reading is for everyone.
The Friends have supported Summer Reading for years, and we’re proud to help fund it again. When a child takes home a free book, a family attends a program, a teen earns a prize, or an adult finds a new favorite author, Friends support helps make those moments possible.
Programs like this happen because of you.
Library News
A New Book Drop Coming to Southern Branch
A new drive-up book drop is planned for the Southern Branch. The county has approved the location and will install the concrete pad, and the Friends will fund the book drop itself.
It’s a project that will make a real difference for accessibility. We’ll share more as it moves forward.
Digital Resources
Take the Library on Vacation
Summer travel season is here, but your library card doesn’t stay home when you leave town. Orange County Public Library offers thousands of digital resources that travel wherever you do.
The NC Kids Digital Library alone offers more than 40,000 resources for kids, including e-books, audiobooks, read-alongs, and videos, an easy way to keep reading part of the summer routine. You can also access:
Hoopla: audiobooks, e-books, comics, movies, music, and television.
Libby: e-books and audiobooks from the library’s digital collection.
NC LIVE: including the HomeGrown Collection of North Carolina authors and publishers.
Digital magazines and newspapers.
Wi-Fi hotspots
Reading recommendations
Wherever summer takes you, don’t forget to pack your library card – using it is one of the easiest and most important ways to support the library!
Upcoming Meeting
Next Board Meeting
The Friends Board meets regularly, and all are welcome. Whether you’ve been involved for years or recently joined, we’d love to see you there.
Tonight, Thursday, June 18 at 7:00 PM ET (Hillsborough Branch)
Topic: Friends of Orange County Public Library June 2026 Board Meeting
Time: Jun 18, 2026 – 7:00 PM ET
Meeting ID: 847 1285 2076
Passcode: 108997
Phone (one tap): +1 646 558 8656
Meeting Agenda
1) Call to Order / Quorum
2) Approval of Minutes
3) Treasurer’s Report
4) Membership Report
5) Library Report
6) New Business
7) Adjourn
With gratitude,
William McLean, President
