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  • From the Director Header October 2019-01

    From the Director, October 2019

    October is one of my favorite months at the library. All month long, we focus on hosting fun, safe events that your whole family can enjoy together. If you need Halloween costume inspiration, find it in our sewing studios, where our instructors will teach you to make your own original witch hats and superhero capes.…

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  • Día de los Muertos: Q&A with Dr. Beatriz Reyes-Foster

    Día de los Muertos: Q&A with Dr. Beatriz Reyes-Foster

    What is Día de los Muertos all about? Dr. Beatriz M. Reyes‐Foster, Associate Professor & Graduate Coordinator of Anthropology at UCF, presents Día de los Muertos at Alafaya Branch on Saturday, October 12, 11 a.m. Learn about the history, art and cultural importance of this often-misunderstood holiday. We’ve all seen the beautiful sugar skull art represented…

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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 Macramé Momma, teaches the joy of making through the art of macramé. 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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