Carolyn McClendon and Claudia Piper

In October of 2018, Orange County Library System hosted StoryCorps, a non-profit which provides people across the country with the opportunity to record and preserve the stories of their lives. Archiving the wisdom, experience, and cultural history of participants for the use of future generations.

During these recordings, local artist Thomas Thorspecken illustrated each of the subjects with pencil and watercolors.

At the time of recording, Carolyn McClendon and Claudia Piper were the Manager and Assistant Manager of the South Trail Branch Library located on South Orange Blossom Trail. Supervising a library location in a challenging area has given each of them an appreciation for the value that libraries can provide to those most in need.

During their conversation, Carolyn and Claudia recount some specific ways that their customers have leveraged what they learned at the library into more fulfilling lives and careers.