Melissa Donovan
The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC – The Reliable One) has donated nearly 2,000 books to support literacy efforts in West Orlando, providing new and gently used reading materials to Little Free Libraries located throughout the 32805 ZIP code.
The donation was made possible through a collection drive led by OUC employees and is part of the utility’s ongoing Empowerment Zone initiative. The program focuses on strengthening the surrounding neighborhood through education, health and wellness initiatives, workforce development, and sustainable housing efforts.
Books from the donation are being distributed across 10 Little Free Libraries in the area, helping expand access to reading resources for children, families, and residents of all ages. The initiative aims to remove barriers to literacy by placing books directly within the community, encouraging reading and lifelong learning.
Since launching its Empowerment Zone efforts in 2021, OUC has installed a total of 11 Little Free Libraries in the neighborhood. The latest donation builds on that work, reinforcing the utility’s long-term commitment to community investment and educational access in the areas it serves.
OUC officials say the effort reflects the organization’s broader mission to support quality of life initiatives beyond utility services, particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods across Orlando.
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