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  • From the Director June 2024

    From the Director, June 2024

    You don’t need to spend a ton of money this summer to experience new things and get a taste of adventure – you can stay close to home and immerse yourself in scientific exploration, comedy, art, cultural experiences, music and more. Because this summer, Adventure Begins at Your Library – that’s the theme of our…

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  • An view of the exterior of the Orange County Regional History Center.

    History Happens Here!

    Some people think of Central Florida as being very young. Perhaps they think things really got started here around 1971 when a certain beloved mouse took up residence, but our history stretches back more than 14,000 years. Luckily, there is a place where you can learn all about it, the Smithsonian-affiliated Orange County Regional History…

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  • Library Awards

    Library Friends Awarded at #FLACON2024 and Hermes Creative Awards in Marketing

    On May 17, 2024, the Friends of the Orange County Library System Inc. was awarded the Friends, Foundations and Special Projects Award at the 2024 Florida Library Association Annual Conference. In November 2023, we hosted a signature event, welcoming bestselling author Neil Gaiman and acclaimed cartoonist Art Spiegelman to the Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall…

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  • Thuyen May dancers performing on stage at Chickasaw Branch

    Choreographed Community: Vietnamese Cultural Outreach at the Orange County Library

    Orange County Library System sets the stage for informational access here in Central Florida. Libraries bring people together under the umbrella of learning and sharing through books, education, DIY workshops, cultural programs and more. Last year at Chickasaw Branch, Thuyen May Productions had the honor of presenting a bilingual, hourlong dance tour featuring vibrant costumes…

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  • From the Director, May 2024

    From the Director, May 2024

    This month, OCLS has some great news to share for those living in the Horizon West community. At our April meeting, the library’s Board of Trustees voted to approve the budget for the Horizon West Branch. That means that we are now officially on the path toward opening our first new branch in nearly a…

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  • Sign reading: Holocaust in History. Woman standing and looking at exhibit.

    Q&A with the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida

    Did you know that May is Jewish American Heritage Month? It is a time to honor and pay tribute to Jewish Americans who have contributed to the rich history of this country. A history that must be remembered. To learn more, we reached out to Talli Dippold, CEO of the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education…

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  • Golden Brick Award framed, in front of plants.

    OCLS Presented With Golden Brick Award and Voted Best Florida Library

    On Tuesday, April 23, the Downtown Orlando Partnership presented OCLS with a Golden Brick Award of Excellence for our 100 Year Celebration! The award recognizes OCLS for our yearlong celebration that “highlighted the past, present and future of the library, positioning it as a welcoming destination that has had something to offer for everyone for…

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  • Two children holding a lantana plant

    Visiting the South Creek Branch Community Garden

    Orange County Library System’s South Creek Branch connects nature and people through gardening. Their new community garden is a hub for customers of all ages to learn the benefits of sustainability and self-sufficiency by attending informational programs, gardening events and storytimes — just in time for Earth Month and Earth Day! Where you water grows,…

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  • Title: Q&A with Artist Jamile B. Johnson. Image: Jamile B Johnson hanging his artwork at Orlando Public Library

    Q&A with artist Jamile B. Johnson

    Visual artist Jamile B. Johnson’s Tanager is the newest art installation at Orlando Public Library. On Thursday, April 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Johnson will host a meet the artist event in Orlando Public Library’s Albertson Room. His original pieces and prints will be available for sale. Why did you begin to create art? …

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  • National Library Week

    National Library Week: Celebrate Your Library All Year!

    Thank you for coming along with me on this blog journey across Orange County Library System! Today may be the final day of National Library Week, but I hope you will celebrate your library all year long by taking advantage of the amazing events, services and programs offered at our 15 library locations. To wrap…

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Independence Day Closing

Orange County Library System will be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. The library system will resume normal business hours on Friday, July 5. View a complete list of holiday closures >