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  • BizKids

    BizKids

    In 2017, Orange County Library System unveiled a new series of camps called “BizKids” which teach entrepreneurship and business skills to youth. The camps provide students with opportunities to develop a business idea, run a storefront and learn office software. Combining these creative skills with the business skills needed to plan, finance, market and sell…

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  • From the Director September 2019

    From the Director, September 2019

    It’s well known that Mark Twain once said that the secret to getting ahead is getting started. But how do you even get started if you don’t know where to begin? One good place to start would be the library. Say your goal is to build your savings so you can buy a new home…

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  • A Maker with a Purpose

    A Maker with a Purpose

    Orlando entrepreneur and activist Victoria Walsh, affectionately known as MacramĂ© Momma, teaches the joy of making through the art of macramĂ©. Victoria guides students in the creation of classic plant hangers, delicate earrings and intricate wall hangings through engaging workshops. From their first knot to the completion of their unique project, she patiently introduces each…

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  • LocalWandererHeader-01

    Local Wanderer: Experience More of Orlando With Your Library Card

    You already know your library card means adventure. Dive into the pages of a book you’ve borrowed and you’re off to other worlds. Adventure, though, can be right around the corner and now Orange County Library System (OCLS) is going to help you find it with our Local Wanderer program. Largely inspired by New York…

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  • Mini Book Fair Q&A

    Mini Book Fair Q&A

    The Herndon Branch will be hosting their first-ever Mini Book Fair on Saturday, August 10. Don’t let the name of this event fool you – book nerds and scribblers alike will find plenty of literary enrichment with three local authors making appearances.  Katy Yocom is an associate director at the School of Creative and Professional…

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  • From the Director August 2019

    From the Director, August 2019

    It’s always hard to believe when August rolls around that summer is just about over. Summer is the busiest time of year at our libraries, and this summer has been one for the books! In July, we celebrated serving 100,000 free meals to children through our annual partnership with Orange County Public Schools and its…

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  • 7 Ways Your Library Card Can Help You Through College

    7 Ways Your Library Card Can Help You Through College

    1. Are you familiar with the massive open online course website Lynda.com? Normally there is a fee for this incredible resource, but your library card gives you free access. Lynda was recently acquired by LinkedIn, so now course completion certificates can be posted on your profile. 2. Use our Foundation Center database to find grant…

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  • TravelBooks-01

    This Year’s Best Travel Accessory: A Book

    Upon us is the season of family road trips, beach getaways, barbecues galore and summer vacations away from those dreadful, heavy textbooks. Traveling is the time when we aspire to worry less and soak in as much relaxation or adventure as possible. But is total and complete relaxation ever really achieved? I can’t think of a…

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  • From the Director, July 2019

    From the Director, July 2019

    This month, our nation celebrates a scientific achievement by which nearly every other technological advancement is measured: July 20 is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, which put a man on the moon for the first time. It was, indeed, a giant leap that helped pave the way for so many scientific discoveries…

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  • Melrose in the Mix: The Pauses

    Melrose in the Mix: The Pauses Q&A

    Touring regularly in support of their acclaimed 2018 album Unbuilding, Orlando band The Pauses come home to perform at Melrose in the Mix on Saturday, July 6, 3:30 p.m. Reserve your seat. Library staff member Scottie Campbell had the opportunity to ask the group a few questions about their upcoming performance, returning to their hometown…

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Holiday Closure

Orange County Library System will be closed Tuesday, December 24, Wednesday, December 25, Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year's. View a complete list of holiday closures >

Winter Garden Branch Closure

From January 6 through February 15, Winter Garden Branch will get a much needed refresh to better serve the community. Learn more about the Winter Garden Branch closing >