Happy 100th Birthday OCLS!

As part of the year-long 100th Anniversary celebration of the opening of Orlando’s first public library in 1923, the Orange County Library System invited visitors to share their birthday wishes with birthday cards designed for the occasion.

TO: Library. From: The Palma's Family. Thank you for your amazing support on our family's education. All the best for you today and always. — **^{Birthday wishes from the Palmas Family.}**

Well wishes poured in from folks young and old – from new library members to those who had been members for 90 years!

Happy Birthday from 102 year old me, a happy patron since the 1930s and 1940s. Fond wishes. — **^{Happy Birthday from 102-year-old library member.}**

The library also received birthday wishes in many languages!

A la biblioteca por sus 100 Anos de Servicio excelente Education y creativo. Felicidades y 100 mas. — **^{Birthday greetings en Espanol.}**

Birthday Greetings for our sister city Urayasu, Japan featured in the display case at the Orlando Public Library in 2023.
April 13, 2023.
Dear Orange County Library System Staff,
We apologized for late reply.
This is City of Urayasu Local Activities Promotion Section staff.
Congratulations on Orange County Library System's 100th anniversary.
We sincerely admire the fact that for 100 years you have provided information, knowledge, a place to learn about various cultures, and fostered a community for the citizens.
We send you a message card from Urayasu Chuo Library.
Hope you have a great birthday party.
Sincerely,
Staff of City of Urayasu Local Activities Promotion Section — **^{Birthday wishes from our Sister City Urayasu, Japan.}**

100th birthday wishes and greetings came from residents across Orange County and beyond!

Happy 100th Birthday OCPL! Mayor J. Demings. Orange County 2023 — **^{Birthday greetings from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.}**

There are cards from local dignitaries and government officials, our Sister City Urayasu, Japan, and even the White House!

The White House. Washington. Congratulations on your anniversary. The tireless work of civil society and organizations like yours is a daily reminder of how, here in America, we see one another, we hear one another, and we strive to take care of one another. Our country faces many challenges, but with your work, and our uniquely American outlook--restless, bold, and optimistic--there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.
As you celebrate this milestone anniversary, may you be filled with pride in all the progress you have achieved, and may you continue to embody our Nation's spirit of service. Sincerely, Joe Biden — **^{Greetings from the White House received January 2024.}**

Some of the birthday cards include works of art!

Artwork: Pencil drawing of person sitting against a tree in the forest reading a book with butterflies. — **^{Unsigned birthday card.}**

Some were even featured in a display case on the 3rd floor of the Orlando Public Library in 2023 and 2024.

Display case featuring 100th anniversary birthday cards. — **^{Display case on the 3rd floor of the Orlando Public Library during 2023 and 2024.}**

Many included touching messages like this card from Elisa Llamido about the library’s impact on her life and that of her son.

When my son was little (0-6), one of our favorite activities was going to the library. We'd go in once every few weeks and take out a big stack of books. Every morning, I would select books from the stack and let him choose what order we would read them in as we snuggled in bed together.
Then on the weekend, I would lay them all out and we would read them all. We kept on reading in the morning, even after he started school. I would read to him as soon as he woke up, so he would start his days with literature. We still do this now, fourteen years later. - Ellisa Llamido — **^{Birthday Greetings from Elisa Llamido.}**

One card included a beautiful poem about our Southeast Branch Library by Irina and Igor Avrutskiy.

Southeast Branch Library, a century of stories. A place where books and people meet. A place where knowledge and wisdom grow. A place where dreams and imagination soar.
You have witnessed the changes of the times. The wars, the peace, the joys, the sorrows. You havev served the community with pride. The young, the old the rich, the poor.
You have offered a refuge and a sanctuary. A space for learning and discovery. A space for creativity and expression. A space for friendship and connection.
You have been a part of our history. And you will be a part of our future. Southeast Branch Library, we thank you. For being out treasure and our partner.
Irina and Igor Avrutskiy 11/2/2023

Most of the 100th birthday greetings were scanned and grouped according to the library location where they were received. If you sent birthday wishes to the library during our yearlong 100th birthday celebration, it may be included below!

Alafaya Branch

Chickasaw Branch

Eatonville Branch

North Orange Branch

Southeast Branch

Southwest Branch

Orlando Public Library Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6

West Oaks Branch

Youth Services Department

Dear Orange County Library System: You help us bring joy by the activities you have. Keep up the great work! Happy Fall!

ATTACHMENTS

images (20) video (0) audio (0) links (0) documents (17)

Cards from around the world

Birthday cards were received from around the world.

Birthday card en Espanol

A la biblioteca por sus 100 anos de Servicio excelente Educativo y creativo. Felicidades y 100 mas.

Birthday card from 102 year old patron

Happy Birthday from 102-year-old me, a happy patron since the 1930s and 1940s. Fond Wishes.

From Chapter Books to Parent

Thank you OCLS! From my first chapter book to college classes, you've always been there helping me find what I needed. You've...

Nathaly Ruiz

Libraries have been a source of joy, community, and equity my entire life. There were stories when I needed entertainment or escape,...

Mayor Jerry Demings

Happy 100th Birthday OCPL! Mayor J. Demings, Orange County 2023

Poem About the Southeast Branch

Southeast Branch Library, a century of stories. A place where books and people meet. A place where knowledge and wisdom grow. A...

Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero

I want to congratulate the Orange County Library System as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding and establishment of the...

City of Orlando

Happy 100th Birthday! Foor a whole century, you've been the "binding force" that keeps our community "booked" with knowledge and inspiration. May y...

Crockett Bohannon

Happy 100 OCLS! And here is to the next 100. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this great...

Urayasu, Japan.

Birthday Greetings for our sister city Urayasu, Japan. Birthday Greetings for our sister city Urayasu, Japan featured in the display case at the...

Urayasu, Japan.

Birthday Greetings for our sister city Urayasu, Japan featured in the display case at the Orlando Public Library in 2023. April 13, 2023. Dear...

Birthday art

Birthday Greeting in the form of artwork of a person reading a book in the forest featured in the display case at...

From Brooke W.

Birthday Greeting from Brooke W. featured in the display case at the Orlando Public Library in 2023. Happy B-Day. Happy 100th B-Day. Happy...

Lindsay Jacob.

Birthday greetings from Lindsay Jacob featured in the display case at the Orlando Public Library in 2023. Dear COLS. Thank You. Thank you...

Alisa Llamido.

When my son was little (0-6), one of our favorite activities was going to the library. We'd go in once every few...

The White House

The White House. Washington. Congratulations on your anniversary. The tireless work of civil society and organizations like yours is a daily reminder...

100th Anniversary Display Case

This display case and two others were on the 3rd floor of the Orlando Public Library in 2023 and 2024 to celebrate...

From The Palma's Family

From: The Palma's Family. Thank you for your amazing support on our family's education. All the best for you today and always.

Happy Fall!

Dear Orange County Library System: You help us bring joy by the activities you have. Keep up the great work! Happy Fall!...

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2023_Bdaycards_VIPs.pdf

100th Birthday Cards - Special Guests

Happy 100th Birthday OCLS greetings from special guests, dignitaries, local government, and Library Board members.

2023_BdayCards_DisplayCase.pdf

100th Birthday Cards - Display Case OPL

Happy 100th Birthday OCLS greetings featured in a display case at the Orlando Public Library.

2023_BdayCards_Alafaya.pdf

100th Birthday Cards - Alafaya

Happy 100th Birthday OCLS greetings sent by visitors to the Alafaya Branch.

2023_BdayCards_Chickasaw.pdf

100th Birthday Cards - Chickasaw

Happy 100th Birthday OCLS greetings sent by visitors to the Chickasaw Branch.

2023_BdayCards_Eatonville.pdf

100th Birthday Cards - Eatonville

Happy 100th Birthday OCLS greetings sent by visitors to the Eatonville Branch.

2023_BdayCards_NOrange.pdf

100th Birthday Cards - North Orange

Happy 100th Birthday OCLS greetings sent by visitors to the North Orange Branch in Apopka.

2023_BdayCards_OPL_1-25.pdf

100th Birthday Cards - Orlando Public Library