News Articles About the Library

The 2026 Orlando Game Jam has officially kicked off at the Melrose Center. Local designers, artists, and programmers are racing against the clock to build brand-new video games from scratch based on a secret theme. Ada Huff, Marketing Specialist of the Orange County Library System, spoke with FOX 35’s Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to discuss what you can expect at the events.

The Orange County Library System is calling on video game creators, and lovers, to unleash their creativity at the Orlando Game Jam & Orlando Gaming Expo. The event is returning to the Orlando Public Library’s Melrose Center from Thursday, Feb. 19 through Sunday, Feb. 22. Juan Rivera, senior digital media design instructor at the Melrose Center joins WESH 2 to preview the event.

Orange County Library System (Website) will host its annual African American Read-In on Sunday, February 15, at 2 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library’s Melrose Center. It’s a free, family-centered program that will feature readings and performances of African American literature, poetry, and music.

The Orange County Library System is hosting its annual OCLS Writers Conference (Website) on Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25. The conference is designed to help writers work toward writing and publishing goals, with workshops covering both craft and business topics. The schedule runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The Orlando Public Library will once again host its Orlando Game Jam and Orlando Gaming Expo (Website), returning from February 19 to 22, giving teams one weekend to build a brand-new video game and then show it off to the public at the downtown Orlando library.

In a single exciting weekend, you can develop a new video game, display your projects, vote for contest winners, and connect with local educators and developers in the gaming industry. All events will take place at the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation and Creativity, located at Orlando Public Library, from February 19 to 22.

Want to make a video game? The Orlando Game Jam and Gaming Expo is the perfect chance to try it out! What’s a “game jam?” A game jam is your opportunity to take a game from concept to playable prototype in a short period of time.

Orange County Library System cardholders can now listen to the bestselling audiobook “Heated Rivalry” by Rachel Reid for free through the library’s digital catalog, providing a (discreet and immediate) alternative to the long waitlists for the physical edition, following the recent popularity of the new Canadian television adaptation.

Nerdcore star Mega Ran is back in Orlando to rock the mic, but not at a local club. Instead, he’ll be getting down at a public library.

The Orange County Library System offers a wide variety of programs for seniors to promote lifelong learning.