The Orange County Library System is marking a month of celebrating library volunteers, noting that opportunities are available at locations across the county. Adults can join the Friends of the Orange County Library System, described as a non-profit, independent volunteer and advocacy organization that helps improve the quality and scope of library services. Adult volunteers give building tours and help in the bookstore at Orlando Public Library, share information about library programs at community events, and prep crafts and shelve books at branches.
The library highlighted Sandi Trainor, the Friends of the Library's 2026 Jo Anne Feldstein Legacy Award winner, and her years of dedication to the Friends Bookstore. What began as a search for a nearby volunteer opportunity became seven years of service, friendship and conversations about books. Her favorite part of volunteering there is talking about books with customers and helping them find what they are looking for. Volunteer Coordinator Brett Wagner said Trainor brings a friendly smile to the bookstore and is always going out of her way to help customers and fellow volunteers, and noted a yearly tradition at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon of telling her she is not allowed to help set up or clean up the room because the event is held to recognize the volunteer team.
The award is presented each year by the Volunteer Coordinator and past recipients to someone who has shown exceptional dedication to the mission of the Friends and has volunteered for at least five years. It was established in 2022 to honor the late Jo Anne Feldstein, a longtime Friends of the Library member and Friends Bookstore volunteer who was a New York fashion model in the 1940s and '50s and later became an addiction counselor, and who passed away unexpectedly after volunteering one afternoon in 2016. Past recipients are Jane Poche in 2022, Almeda Sun in 2023, Ed Wieder in 2024 and Carol Decker in 2025.
Press release issued by Orange County Library System:
https://ocls.org/ocls-blog/orange-county-library-system-volunteer-spotlight-sandi-trainor/
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