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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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  • The book "Once Upon a Time in Florida" on top of a bronze statue of a man sitting on an alligator, located in Heritage Square in front of the Orange County Regional History Center.

    Once Upon a Time in Florida: Capturing Our State’s Rich History on the Page

    This post is brought to you by our community partners at the Orange County Regional History Center. “Generation after generation, Florida has been a collection of cultures, thoughts, and ambitions brought by people from around the world,” writes the executive director of Florida Humanities, Nashid Madyun, in the foreword to a new book, Once Upon…

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  • National Bike Month – Q&A with Courtney Reynolds

    May is National Bike Month, and OCLS will be hosting a series of webinars on commuting by bicycle presented by reThink Your Commute and facilitated by Courtney Reynolds. Courtney is a native Floridian who didn’t own a car until after college, traveling on foot, by bike or by bus to get where she needed to…

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  • ForYourThanksgivingTable-01

    For Your Thanksgiving Table

    Chef Joycelyn Bryant, a frequent OCLS presenter, shares her recipes for two Thanksgiving favorites. You can join Chef Jocelyn for a live online cooking demonstration on Saturday, November 14, 4 p.m. where she will demonstrate how to make soups that will warm you, fill you up and nourish your body.   SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS: 3–4 large sweet…

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  • A Conversation with Melanie Benjamin, 14th Annual Southwest Author Series

    14th Annual Southwest Author Series: A Conversation with Melanie Benjamin, author of Mistress of the Ritz

    Melanie Benjamin has captivated readers with her bestselling historical novels, including The Aviator’s Wife, The Swans of Fifth Avenue, and The Girls in the Picture. And, she is about to do it again. Benjamin’s forthcoming Mistress of the Ritz tells the compelling story of the extraordinary real-life American woman who secretly worked for the French…

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  • OCLSReads for Black History Month

    #OCLSReads For Black History Month

    Try as I might, I simply cannot recall an instance when I was ever not reading a book. Reading is one of my favorite forms of relaxation, and with it being Black History Month, I believe it’s a superb way to celebrate the occasion. While I am unquestionably a proud proponent for diversity and inclusion…

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  • The Great American Read - The Martian

    The Great American Read: The Martian

    The Great American Read is a new eight-part series from PBS that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through America’s 100 best-loved novels. Join the conversation with PBS and WUCF!  Read the list of 100 books.Vote for your favorite.Share your love of reading using #GreatReadPBS.  The series returns to WUCF on September 11…

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  • GreatAmericanReadHeader-TheAlchemist-01

    The Great American Read: The Alchemist

    The Great American Read is a new eight-part series from PBS that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through America’s 100 best-loved novels. Join the conversation with PBS and WUCF!  Read the list of 100 books.Vote for your favorite.Share your love of reading using #GreatReadPBS.  The series returns to WUCF on September 11…

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  • GreatAmericanReadHeader-LordoftheRings-01

    The Great American Read: The Lord of the Rings

    The Great American Read is a new eight-part series from PBS that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through America’s 100 best-loved novels. Join the conversation with PBS and WUCF!  Read the list of 100 books.Vote for your favorite.Share your love of reading using #GreatReadPBS.  The series returns to WUCF on September 11…

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Thanksgiving Closure

Orange County Library System will be closed starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 and remain closed through Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. The library system will resume normal business hours on Saturday, November 30. Learn more about library closures >

Upcoming Southwest Branch Closure

Southwest Branch will be closed Monday, December 2 through Thursday, December 5 for replacement of the HVAC system. The book drop will remain open. We plan to reopen for normal business hours on Friday, December 6.