Visited the library for Potterversary and they did an awesome job in the library! All of the floors had an event for families and Potter fans to interact with. I was just looking for the butter beer! But away from the event, the library has stepped up! They have a few VR sections that are always available! I will return for more events or just to check out the VR activities! read more

I love libraries, and this is a good one. Well-organized. Friendly staff. Enthusiastic Friends of the Library branch that runs a great used bookstore on site. Cool local history section. Best of all, there is a drive-up window. Put a book on hold, and drive by to pick it up! If you live in Orlando, you should patronize this place. You should also support it with a donation. read more

Ok, so I'm gonna do what we all do at some point. Drive up I95. Way up. So, I swung by the OCLS, and was just blown away by the size of the collection. I was just looking for one or two books on CD, and walked out with about 30 selections. I'm completely overwhelmed. Don't be intimidated by it's look. Don't worry that much about the parking- although it's not free..... Enjoy your Library. It's magnificent! read more

I guess it is hard not to love a building full of books... books are my happy place. Some libraries do exceed expectations, and this is one of them. On my first visit with my brand spanking new card in hand (you can order it online, how cool is that??) I was genuinely impressed with the size of this Library. Yes it is the main library, so that is to be expected. It is however quite complete - I found Christopher Rice and Anne Rices latest novels on the shelf the day after their release, and got slightly distracted at the rows of books. By slightly I mean I totally ended up spending a long time just browsing. There are classes, for free! Yup check them out online, and also special events. It is the Halloween season, so scary movies for adults (as an empty nester I appreciate adult only events), ghost stories and more. Everyone I had contact with, which by the way was because they were asking me if I needed help, not me trying to get help and not getting anyone like in other cities (cough, cough Miami) here they really go out of their way and are truly pleasant. If there is a but... which there kind of is... it is the fact that it is downtown and therefore has no parking lot for patrons. If you are in your car you have to pay for parking. Street parking has a two hour limit and as a very nice gentleman who works there explained, it is a limit per zone which means that even if you move your car you better make sure you are not in the same zone, otherwise you get a ticket. There is a parking garage that charges $2 per hour. So street parking would be cheapest. read more

4th floor great place to read or study with a view of downtown. Laptops are welcome, plugs a' plenty. One caveat though, it is used by many homeless so expect a moderate amount of noise like in any college library. I rectify this problem by bringing headphones and playing tunes. Geneology dept is great too. check it! read more

Orange County Library System - Hispanic heritage exhibition: Lenin Ovalles - Libraries Near Me - Orlando, Florida

This is, by far, one of the most amazing libraries I have been in. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but I promise, it is so worth it. This was the closest branch that was open on a Sunday and I needed some new books, so I decided to drive the extra distance to check it out. I don't often drive in downtown Orlando, so parking was a little bit of a challenge. I really hate paying for parking, but ended up just parking in the garage across the street. It's $2/hour which isn't too bad. The library has 4 humongous floors. The 1st floor has the children's books, CDs, and fiction. There is more than enough of a selection to choose from. There was also a children's play going on when I arrived, which was interesting to see. The 2nd floor has the largest computer lab that I have ever seen at a library and it was packed. There is also a wonderful used bookstore and everything is very cheap. I bought a couple of fiction books for $1.50 each. The 3rd floor has a huge selection of reference books, a number of private meeting rooms, and lots of tables for people to work at. The top floor has even more reference books. Both the 3rd and 4th floor were very quiet, so these would be a good place to go to get some work done. I think I spent almost 2 hours wandering around this library and probably could have spent more time if I didn't have anything to do that day. I was really blown away by all of the resources they have and there was always someone from the library on each floor to ask questions. I will definitely be back. read more

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Downtown Orlando!! Great location! I love libraries and this one does not disappoint! I stopped in needing to print a document and to do so as quickly as possible. Ended up not doing that but had a moment to enjoy the beautiful library centrally located in beautiful Downtown Orlando! The price of printing for a visitor who does not have an Orlando library card is $5 for a pc card, .50 for a print card and .15 cents a page. Considering I only needed to print one sheet of paper and didn't have the cash option they would only accept. But if you happen to live in Orlando and are looking for a beautiful library to use, I'd urge you to consider this location. read more

I stumbled upon the public library on a rainy day. From the outside it seemed like any other public library. When I came in, I was amazed at how modern and clean the library was. It was virtually spotless and smelled like a hotel. There were so many places to sit and subtle jazz music playing in the background. The ambience was perfect to study. The chairs are very comfortable. The only downsides to this place are the crying children and the lack of wifi. I couldn't really find a network to connect to so I ended up streaming from my personal hot spot. The bright side is that the library was EXTREMELY organized and had a huge selection of everything. read more

Orange County Library System - The decor is so modern. I love this place - Libraries Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Brutal. The library is a brilliant piece of Brutalist architecture, if you believe there can be such a thing. Even nonresidents of the Orlando area would find a tour of their amenities place interesting. read more

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I've been to this library many times throughout my life and will continue to visit this location. Currently sitting at a table writing my review. Very quiet here and very respectable area to study. I love the amount of events, activities, and resources this library gives to cardholders such as the commuter programs. I have completed most of the Microsoft programs thanks to the library for free! These programs look great on my résumé! :) I just wish there was free parking, let alone more parking. read more

Orange County Library System - Located at the fourth floor. - Libraries Near Me - Orlando, Florida

This rating is based on my visit to the Alafaya branch library. I had just moved into Orlando and needed a library card. The moving truck had yet to arrived so I was hoping to rent some movies and play them on my laptop and of course, borrow some books to keep me from going insane. Most libraries would be thrilled to hear that patron view them as their first point of contact for such things. Not Alafaya. I brought my ID and a signed copy of my lease. I was told that was not acceptable and that I would need a paper copy utility bill (no email). Um, I just moved here. In order to receive my card I had to fill out a form and the card would be mailed to my new address. I asked "How does this prove residency when my lease does not???" I was brusquely informed that "That is the policy" I guess making things difficult for patrons is the policy. The clerk also wanted a photocopy of my license and treated me like a common criminal for having arrived out of state (note: her accent was decidedly un-Floridian). Also, be aware that the Orange County Library System libraries are only available to "tax paying citizens of Orange County" so if you should find yourself homeless or perhaps an alien resident...no library for you. So much for making information accessible. Also, there was no reference desk. Where the hell do I find an actual librarian to help me with my research??!! Not here. ( Granted most people think anyone who works in a library must be a librarian ) This is the anti-library. The selection of materials is unimpressive but the good news is that OCLS will mail books to its "tax paying citizens." If you are looking to pick up copies of romance and Patricia Cornwell novels, movies, and CDs then you will find this library perfectly suitable. If you are looking for more substantial materials, seeking research assistance from a librarian, or seeking job search resources, you won't find it here. You'd be much better off to swing by UCF where the librarians there are nothing short of helpful. read more

"A composition in monolithic concrete" are the words used by the architect to describe the Orlando Public Library at Central and Rosalind. Built in 1966, and expanded twice since that time, it was a radical piece of architecture for its time, and forty-five years later is still a visual pleasure. Since going electronic, I don't go there as often as I used to, so I found it a nice experience to spend some time there over the weekend. Spacious, well-maintained, friendly and full of services, it's also an award-winning library, including being the recipient of the American Library Association's 2011 "Library of the Future" award for Information Technology. OCLS is a source of pride for our city. read more

Wow - this place is huge. I was there for a free seminar. Yes, they have free seminars. I really wanted to look around more but I had to get back to work. They have multiple levels. Tons of spaces to get work done. A book store. Computers. Books, music. Cool stuff. I think I may get me a library card because having fun isnt hard, when you've got a library card! read more

Alafaya Branch: This place is a dump. It's your typical library, but with less to offer. I feel like I'm at a bus station when ever I come here. My hyper vigilance kicks in full overdrive, because it is crowded, cramped, and completely uninspiring. There is almost never a free computer. Voting is awful, as you have to snake through the middle of library to do so. read more

I found yet another perk from my library card- access to Mango, the site for learning new languages. Enter from the ocls.info site, and after logging in with your library card number and pin, the world of language learning is at your finger tips! read more

I can't believe I've lived in Orlando since 1996 and only now am I using the OCLS. I admit, the fact that the few libraries I tried in 1996 were located in strip malls is probably what turned me off. It just seemed weird - I'm used to the old, stand-alone libraries I went to when I was growing up. But, the Downtown Library works better with my admittedly ridiculous nostalgia - I really like the Friends of the Library book store where they sell books that have been removed from circulation. Best of all is the home delivery system - the website could do with some navigational improvements, but, it serves it's purpose. Finally, the drive-up return window on Wall St is great! It's open lots of hours, and the library employee at the window is always friendly. There's a night depository book drop right there, too, in case you're there after hours. read more

GIANT complex as expected for a big city central library. Clean, Neat and Organized. Just exactly how library should be kept. Way too many amenities to mention but a few of the highlights are the kids computer labs, video viewing rooms, book STORE and meeting rooms. There seems to almost always be at least one or more events going on in the many meeting rooms available. read more

This is a great library! The collection is large and diverse, building is clean and well maintained, and the staff are friendly and well informed. There are so many things to love: Tiny Tales, story time made just for babies - my son loves the rhymes, stories and time to interact with other children; the ability to download eBooks, audiobooks, and music directly to my smart phone and tablet; and the wealth of free Technology Classes, including new classes on Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. The Orange County Library System is definitely one of the best things about living in Orange County! read more

This review is based purely on my experience at the downtown location. I'm sure I'd like all the other ones less because they're smaller. Anyways, this is a large library, and there are many options here for DVDs and books, as well as computer classes and children's activities. It looks like a large above-ground bomb shelter to me, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Florida does seem like the location for the start of the zombie apocalypse... Anyways, the women at the information desks were both helpful when I inquired about how to get a library card (I just need to bring my license) as well as how to update my voter registration. I was pleased with the selection of foreign films (DVDs can be checked out for one week) and books. All the libraries in Seminole County were not only smaller than this one, but they also kind of sucked in that they had very few books. Granted I moved there from the DC area, and I guess Fairfax Co values libraries more (and has more money). Okay, enough distractions, I like the amount of stuff, for back of a better word, this library has. Some of it is junk (like interior decorating ideas from 1992) and some is wonderful (like Kevin Zraly's wine books that are from within the past couple years). The books can be checked out for 3 weeks, which is also a plus. Glad to be living close to this library and excited to hang out here more (and hopefully read, you know, that thing you do with books.) read more

This library is excellent I've been a patron for over 20 years since I was 14. If they don't have a book you are looking for they will very likely order it for the library if they think other patrons might use it. The best part of it is that they have lots and lots of pretty recent dvds all kinds of movies, documentaries, stuff you wouldn't expect them to have. The second best part is they will deliver them to your house for free! It's like a free netflix paid for with your tax dollars. Check out their website and if you already have a card you can set up your account online and create a pin without having to even go into a branch! https://iii.ocls.info/ Also you can order them on their website! Can you believe all this service?!! It's insanely awesome. read more

I have a little 10-month-old son, Oliver, and the downtown library has been amazing as far as story time and finding books for him to play with. I had a huge love of books growing up and I really want to instill that love in him from a young age. I also love that the children's section is highly monitored so you can't be in there without a kid with you. Which is nice because there tends to be a lot of homeless individuals outside and often inside. They are nice, so don't let that put you off, plus how great is it that the library can offer some reprieve from the heat for those in less than ideal situations. All the areas are so nice and I finally was able to explore the whole building with a friend and HOLY AWESOME- on the second floor you can register to use their flight simulators if, say, you need to log in hours for flight school or whatever. There's also great spaces for coworking and having community meetings. There is an interactive digital wall to inspire creativity. They have sound recording booths, robot labs, 3-d printers, photography lab, etc. THIS is where to go if you're looking to get better at a skill! I can't wait to go back and utilize the library a lot more. We are so lucky to have it nearby! read more

Orange County Library System - Aisles wide enough for a stroller! - Libraries Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I love libraries, book stores...anything having to do with books I'm automatically going to be inclined to like it. This review is only about the Main Library on Central in downtown. It's quite possibly the best public library I've ever been to: very organized and the staff is extremely helpful. Almost to the point where you wonder "do I look distressed?" Anyone can get a card if you're an Orange Co. resident. For the first two weeks you are sort of on a trial period and can only check out four items...after that, it's something insane like 100. Most items can be checked out for three weeks or so, with the ability to renew. One major perk is the DVD section. This library has a particularly strong section of foreign films, but you can also find classics and tv shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Six Feet Under. For someone like me who would keep a Netflix for a month and still pay $15 for it, this is a really good set up. And free! Just not the best thing though if you have a very specific movie in mind. Go with an open mind and you'll come away with a DVD in your hot little hands. They can be checked out for a week and renewed (online no less). The one minus I give the library is its building. Boy does brutalist architecture suck. The building was probably constructed in the 1960s or 1970s, and thus has the low-ceiling , flourescent light, concrete thing going on. Not a place I would like to linger over a book - I come and get what I want, then leave to enjoy my selection elsewhere. read more

Get your nerd on! BEST library in Orlando, they usually are the branch that will carry the book, DVD, or game you may be looking for. If the item you want is not on shelf or currently available you may request it be delivered to your home at no cost once it is returned. They have several community activities and free training available throughout the year so make sure to go on their website or grab their magazine for date/time. I've attended some of their speaker events, cuisine corner cooking classes, adult coloring de-stressing, and several other activities that all have been educational and interactive. read more

I love this place! I mean, what's not to love!? Free children's events and computer classes, plus, the fabulous new Technology and Innovation Center on the 2nd floor is a can't miss! The collection is great too, and you can return materials to any one of the OCLS locations. read more

I really don't like reviewing huge things, but I feel this is necessary for the well-being and convenience of anybody in need of a literary temple. The stock of books in this place is fantastic. All the OCLS branches are very useful when you're looking for a book, but this place is huge. There's...a lot. I've never had an issue finding an unoccupied computer upstairs, which has always saved me time on print jobs I needed quick. The staff is friendly and helpful, and it seems possible to always find somebody who's capable of helping you. For fans of performing arts, they have musical concerts every so often (actually, let's just say "often", since that's more accurate). Find out what you like, check their schedule, and walk in for a good time in the early afternoon. Guess what - it's free. =) read more

Who doesn't love the library? I am here almost every weekend scoping the shelves for my favorite authors and movies I missed in the theaters. I have taken several FREE classes on Excel, Photoshop, and Web Design. Check out your local branch to see what they offer and take advantage! Did I mention it's FREE! read more

Perhaps it might be more impactful if I try this at a time when all the bars are not blasting music. I knew it was working however when I saw the lights activate when I touched one of the keys. Now, Colleen says it's a puzzle. ..I missed that part! Oh well, guess I'll have to make another trip! read more

As far as libraries go, the downtown library is primo. The building is great! There are interesting art exhibits all over. The staff is helpful. There is a cute little cafe for mid- reading breaks. Z Cafe used to inhabit this space, but a new place has just taken over in the past few weeks. Hopefully they will be just as delicious when they settle in. The kid's section is whimsical with a castle reading area. It is full of books and computers with programs for all ages. They also have story time for the kiddies on the weekends. They have plenty of books and DVDs to rent. My only gripe is that the parking is a pain. There are metered parking spaces near by and a parking garage across the street, but there is no free parking. read more

I was one of the participating authors at the Local Author Festival at the Downtown Orlando Public Library. I was very impressed by the library's facilities and staff! It was a pleasant atmosphere and Sarah Fisk, the Events and Programs Planner was courteous and helpful during the event. She was communicative throughout the Festival and neatly arranged everything for the authors and readers. Thank you Orange County Library System and Orlando Public Library for hosting such a fun local event enjoyed by the community! - Sunshine Rodgers read more

One of my favorite spots downtown, no lie. This library is three stories and has a great selection of DVDs and CDs on top of the loads and loads of books, obviously.. They always have a good amount of new releases and if something is not physically at their branch you can sign up to have it delivered to your house when it becomes available. And how much is this wonderful service? FREE! Can't beat free. The cafe inside is convenient and inexpensive and they serve drinks and a small selection of bites. There's a really cool and fun thing on the side of the building too where you touch your hand to a color and it lights up a strip of the same color up the building. Lights, sounds, I'm a child. Haha, check it out, it's pretty and entertaining. read more

I've read all the accurate reviews of how great this library is. One thing that is not mentioned is the genealogy floor. They have one of the best genealogy departments in the southeast. I've been there dozens of times. Of course much of the basic information is easier to find online, but they have some really nice resources. Another very nice feature is all the stuff for kids to do. They have many events for kids throughout the week. Our 5 year old loves the place! read more

Went to the library on Chickasaw for the 105.1 event it was the worst thing I've seen very disorganized the people that working the event that 104.5 hitting knowledge parents or kids really bad way to start a band read more

The Orange County Public Library downtown has always held a fond place in the bookshelf of my heart. It is 4 stories of literary goodness, and has quite a decent collection of DVDs for checkout that'll make you abandon your local Blockbuster store in a hot minute. The staff always seems friendly and inviting, and the building itself is pretty purdy as well. The Z Cafe is located on the first floor, which has a good variety of sandwiches, wraps and salads as well as various coffee selections and a killer chai tea latte. If you don't live in the downtown area, I would still recommend traveling the extra distance to check out this branch. read more

Way to go library for not only offering books, CDs and DVDs, but also fun events for families to enjoy. Coming up, they are putting on a "Monster Mash Bash" on Halloween from 7pm-9pm. It will be a night filled with monster-themed games, candy, some tricks, live music and other fun activities. You have to register in order to join in, so stop by and get the details. read more

Love, love, love this library. I don't know where to start. The architecture? The offerings? The sheer size? This place is great if you have young children because there is a HUGE section with age-appropriate books and a schedule of daily age-appropriate classes to attend (30-45min). We have been to one of the music classes which operated much like the kindermusik classes my son attends regularly. They ended the class with a huge bubble machine-- as you can imagine that always goes over well with the little ones. They have story time and presentations about animals. Thats just scratching the surface. This is a multi-level library with dedicated sections for various technological mediums. They have a studio for photos, radio, sound-proof booths, exhibits (we saw a virtual reality exhibit there once), classrooms for various crafts and skills, computers to use, sections with books of all different genres, etc. You need a library card to participate and check out books, of course. Depending on what you're doing, there may be additional fees. There is a dedicated parking garage and of course some street parking, but be careful to read the signs especially during weekday hours. Before you buy a million books on amazon, think about opening an account with the library and checking them out! read more

Technically, I don't have full use of the Orlando library system because I have a reciprocal Brevard card (my permanent address is still in Brevard, but I go to grad school here) so I can't check out all the DVDs and CDs they have available. But I did browse them the other day, and the downtown library -- at least -- has quite the selection. They don't quite put Netflix to shame, but a lot available there. I also can't use the mailing feature unless I have my roommate order it with her card, but that is very convenient. At any rate, I'm not bothered by this---it's nice that they have reciprocal cards at all! In terms of the book selection, it's good, though one thing I dislike about most/all libraries is that most of the books (excepting the young adult section, which as a teacher-in-training I sometimes check out items from) are hardcovers. There are some paperbacks there, but I feel like a lot of the books I want are only available in hardcover and I hate hardcovers. They're working on eBooks, but I'm a bit screwed there since Kindle is proprietary; however, once it gets better and they have a decent eBook selection (it's not much to speak of now), I might get another reader or device to use for them since hardcovers are just awful to lug around. (I understand hardcovers hold up better and come out first, but I have always had an extreme dislike of them, particularly since I tend to read long, cumbersome books.) Besides the book selection, I would say the downtown library, at least, has a great library atmosphere. They have useful courses, great children's programs, and the people who work there always seem friendly and knowledgeable. The layout of the library downtown is great (the other one near my house is in a strip mall, and it's small but still reasonable---nothing near as good as the main library downtown though). All in all, a great library system. read more

To be honest with you, I have probably only used 3 libraries in my life. This library isn't the best or the biggest (that honor belongs to the Patee/Paterno library @ PSU) but this one is pretty dang amazing. It helps a lot the I LOVE to read. I will read just about anything in my life. As soon as I walked into this place I was immediately greeted and given the grand tour. Once I started looking around a librarian came up to me and went above and beyond on her duties to help me. I just think this library has the coolest concepts, a drive-thru, delivery, and online re-checkout. So there is NEVER a reason for a book to be past due. On the fourth floor they have some of the oldest books I have ever seen and I just think that's the coolest thing ever. There's also this cute little cafe inside as well. One odd thing is if you are over 15 you can't go into the kids section, well what happens if I was to read Harry Potter for the 137th time??? read more

This place has really improved since my field trips to the library in middle school. Back then, we had to use the card catalog (remember those?) which were never in order. The building itself seemed dark, musty & little spooky. Thankfully this library has changed quite a bit although the brutalist architecture remains (which I kinda like). Most of the decor inside is bright, colorful, warm, well lit & the assistants have always been helpful if I ever needed anything. Other amenities include a cafe, children's section, drive up window, classes, art exhibits, home delivery, conference rooms... Media offered are a variety of popular TV shows and movies on dvd, audio books on cd and even some of the newest albums from popular music artists/bands. What really won me over is the website which allows you to download music, audio books, ebooks, videos, iphone apps, learn new languages, research your genealogy, business eguides, etc. Granted the selection may be somewhat limited & I haven't used all of the online resources, but the website is worth taking a look at. read more

Orlando Public Library Orlando, FL Libraries 07/14/09: 'Orlando Public Library is my favorite Library in Orlando' I've been using the Downtown Library for over 8 years. In the past few years Orange County remodeled the entire building and turned it into an amazing place! There is a huge section of the library specially for kids and they offer amazing kids programs weekly. There are 4 floors jam packed with information. The staff is great. What I love the most about them is that most of them have been library employees for many years. Their system is very modern and well organized. I love using their online services as well at www.ocls.info read more

What a lot of people don't know is you can actually rent DVD's and CD's from the public library. Why would anyone go to blockbuster or pay for Netflix when your local library offers the same selection for free. Of course you can make the argument that they do not have a large selection of movies but they keep current with the most recent releases. Set aside the movies and music, the library offers books. If you like to read you can check out one of these books for a few weeks and enjoy it. It's not a surprise to me that the Public Library put Boarders and Blockbuster out of business. read more