“The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.”

May, 2026 Donor Annual Report

Once again, thanks to you, the W.T. Bland Public Library had the second highest circulation in 2024- 25, with nearly 270,0000 items borrowed from the library. Program attendance at our library – from story times to learning labs, concerts and tech classes – are the highest in Lake County, exceeding 40,000 people in 2024-2025. Your support of the Friends of the Library enabled us to attract over 11,000 folks to our Summer Learning program, which has a hugely significant and impactful result. Our library continues to engage readers and provides a learning environment for all ages. Your donations matter.

We are a winning team!  The creative vision and work of the library staff to provide exceptional reading and learning experiences for children are met by your donations, the volunteer hours of Friends of the Library, and donations from Book Nook. We have been a winning team providing services that make a great impact on the community. In 2024-2025 to date, according to President Cheryl Schwyzer, the FOL helped provide the following:

• Early Literacy Story Times – 6 days a week! Over 300 children attend each week!
• Engaged 11,000+ children and families through interactive experiences such as: Dino Lab, Art Lab, Gatorland, Central Florida Zoo, etc.
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten – More than 1,100 children enrolled
• Free books for preschools, including Headstart and Triangle Elementary
• Free books at holiday events and learning labs
• Forest Preserve Story Book Walk – New monthly stories!
• Lobby experiences – Dinosaurs, National Parks, Little Golden Books and many others!

• Continuing our partnership helps provide the above programs through 2026 with additional literacy-based Initiatives requested by our librarians such as the purchase of new Dinosaurs to be displayed annually in the Lobby, and a complete renovation of the Nature Lab to make it more accessible and interactive.

P.S. Our children in Mount Dora are the future. Many of them depend on the support they get from our public library, so please send any gift today! You can donate online below.

The Friends of the Library is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so your donation is fully tax deductible.