OCPL Video Highlights 6/1 - 6/7

OCPL Video Highlights 5/25 - 5/31

OCPL Video Highlights 5/18 - 5/24

OCPL Video Highlights 5/11 - 5/17

OCPL Video Highlights - 5/4 - 5/10

OCPL Video Highlights: 4/26 - 5/2

OCPL Video Highlights 4/19 - 4/25

Zoom Backgrounds

Are you using Zoom to communicate with colleagues, family, and friends while staying safe at home? Here's a gallery of OC Public Library photos you can display as virtual backgrounds during your next meeting. Just click an image below, then right click on an image and select Save image as... to download it to your computer or device.

Click here for directions on how to add a virtual background to your Zoom settings

If you're not using Zoom, you could use these images for your desktop wallpaper or screensaver.

Using one of our OC Public Library photos as a virtual background? Take a photo and tag us to be featured on our social media pages!

Aliso Viejo Library

Chapman Library

Cypress Library

OCPL Videos Highlights - 4/12 - 4/18

Who is Mary Wilson and why is a branch of OC Public Libraries named after her?

I’m fascinated by how people make a name for themselves.  For some, it’s for a bad reason (e.g., the Unibomber, Ted Kasinsky); for some it’s for no apparent reason (e.g., Kardashian); and for others, it’s for a good reason (e.g., Mary Wilson).

I started working at the Mary Wilson Library in Seal Beach, one of 33 branches in the OC Public Libraries system, earlier this year, and from the start wondered who is Mary Wilson, and why is the branch named after her? This blog attempts to provide you with a few facts in case you’ve been wondering the same thing!

The Seal Beach Library was one of the first branches of the Orange County Public Library system, becoming a branch of OCPL in 1921.  The current location, 707 Electric Avenue, has been the home of the library since 1978.  Mary Wilson served as the head librarian of the branch between 1943 and 1973.  Over those thirty plus years, the branch grew enormously and Mary Wilson facilitated the growth in the collection, services, and space requirements making it an important part of the Seal Beach community. “A Story of Seal Beach” by Jean B. Dorr includes information about libraries in Seal Beach and Mary Wilson.

From what I read about Mary Wilson, she gave of herself in such an extraordinary way that earned her love and respect, so much so, that it resulted in the town, county, and library administrators taking the steps to name the library after her in 1973.  The staff at the Mary Wilson Library branch are proud to be working in the Seal Beach community and hope to provide the same high level of service as Mary Wilson!

The facts in this blog are attributable to articles archived by the Seal Beach Historical and Cultural Society.  The opinions expressed are those of the blog author.