Learning does not cost much so come learn all you can while working your mind. We have some much free things that no one make use of but its time to learn so we can shape the future. read more

Orange County Library System - This place sure have it all plus much more with a very wide selection and learning area, computer lab, truck etc ..simulator - Libraries Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I love libraries but have an extremely love-hate relationship with the Orange County Public Library. This one is the worst that I've been to. Yes, the Orange County Public Library has a decent selection and some great offerings (classes, home delivery, electronic media) but customer service is below par. This particular library is the worst. The breaking point for me was when they made feel like a thief because they screwed up and didn't properly deactivate the sensor on a book I had. Every time I have been to this library I've had some kind of unpleasant experience because of the staff. It really is a shame, considering it is a beautiful library. read more

Booo!! no more DVD delivery service :( but you can still order online and have books delivered to your door free of charge. That's pretty awesome! read more

The coolest library ever. Great for students. Great to learn and simply enjoy. Great to educate and grow your skills. Free for residents but a small feee for out of city. They keep it super affordable I promise. Orlando seems to care about it residents. I love this library. A flight simulator for me to practice my flight training. A recording studio to learn how to record my music. And all sorts of classes to build my job skills. So cool !!!! read more

I thought I was the only one who loved this library. I haven't even browsed the book selection yet. I just love the public computers, free Mac and PC classes, private study rooms that I use to plug up my laptop, the coffee bar, constant kid activities, and the list goes on. There's something for everyone at this library. As a word of warning, the fees for printing, faxing, and scanning are a little over the top compared to FedExKinkos. read more

This library is gorgeous! It feels more like a bookstore than a library. They even have old school records to loan out! Definitely one of the best libraries I've seen so far! read more

I used to walk by this musical "puzzle" almos t every day in middle school when I attended Lake Eola Charter School, and never knew that it was really a puzzle! My mind is literally blown. I must go to solve this now! read more

The Orange County Library system has it all. The downtown location is great for researchers. The satellite locations are great for everyday needs. My favorite thing about the OCLS is the extensive research you can do on-line with your library card. Media and book downloads are a breeze! read more

You can no longer have DVD's sent to you through their MAYL service. You'll have to check them out when you're at the library. They can also no longer put them on hold for you. All other items, however, can still be held for you or sent to your home. read more

After many years, I finally started using the OCLS a few years ago (Dr PHillips location). Wow, have I saved $$$ from buying all my books. I love how I can request a book to be delivered to my door when it's available, I also use the request a title quite often. In addition, I received a NOOK as a gift a few months back and have downloaded several books from OCLS onto my NOOK. I LOVE IT! I don't have to worry about returning the book on time. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because when I request a title for downloads, I get messages back quite often that they aren't available, yet they are available at B&N and elsewhere. We also rent movies sometimes, but not as often since they are no longer available for delivery or we can't put a hold on one that's checked out. read more

I freakin' love this place! Crazy indeed. I have never been to a library that offered such a great selection of classes (HTML5 level 4, Unity3D Engine - Making a Game, etc.) and that utilizes such an efficient, useful website!! Their website offers: Downloadable books/music rentals, online classes, and events that can link to an Outlook calendar. read more

The *main* branch of the Orange County Library System is something to see. This is a HUGE branch, multiple stories, so much to see here! They have classes here, musical performances, and so many DVDs and books, it's amazing! But.... (and you know there's a 'but'), this isn't the best branch in my humble opinion. I've taken the time to visit EVERY.SINGLE.ORANGE.COUNTY.BRANCH, so I could get a genuine idea about which one is the best through the worst. This one falls around the 'halfway decent' mark. This branch is located in downtown Orlando, which, is a pretty busy area. If you come down to visit this branch, this isn't an easy task. Now, thankfully, there is a parking garage across the street, where the cost is only two dollars an hour, fifteen hours max. There are also parking spots along the nearby roads, which are fairly cheap, as well. If you come down here, there will be a fair amount of walking. (So for those that have issues in that department, be warned.) Also, something to keep in mind, is there are a lot of homeless people in the area, so you may get accosted for change, and then, they love going inside the library, because it's free to go into, so you may have to hold your child's hand, because of them. Now, the grand epicness of this branch is just incredible, it's something to see, for sure! If you plan ahead, and know, that it's no easy task to make it down here, and as long as you know to watch out for the homeless people, you should have an alright time. Good luck! read more

Everyone should definitely get a library card! The libraries here in Orange County far surpass the systems in Brevard and Osceola counties. Some of the branches don't necessarily have huge selections of books, but you can get almost anything you are looking for by using the online catalog, and they will deliver it to your home for free! The library is also a great place to find DVDs and music CD's, including popular new releases. Additionally, they have a wide variety of classes available (technology, languages, sewing and crafts). If you pay property taxes in Orange County, get your money's worth and go to the library! read more

Located in a strip mall. They have a Police Officer in the back for security. There's free WI-FI.. The Librarians are very helpful and friendly. Not one of my favorite libraries in town. read more

This library is fantastic. The fact that its a few blocks away so I can easily make it on foot is just a bonus. First of all its huge, multiple stories. I actually believe in the phrase reading is fun so I find myself gravitating toward libraries and this is by far my favorite. Getting immersed in all the books and possibilities in the downtown library's many shelves is what a good library experience should be. The first level is where I spend most of my time, it has the new release area where the books you'd pay $10 for at Borders are ready to take home and enjoy for free. Try perusing the shelves for a good chick lit or psychological thriller title. They also have DVDs on this level, everything from blockbusters to that popular tv series and they have quite a selection. If you're too lazy to come check them out the old fashioned way the library will even mail them NetFlix style at no charge. The second floor leads way to non-fiction, periodicals and computers for use by the libraries card holders. Got some research to take care of? You've come to the right place. This can be crucial for those who don't subscribe to Internet service at home. The third floor is home to more books, but these are for sale. The Friends of the Library bookstore is here where you can buy used books at a bargain. But what's even more exciting about this library are the programs it offers. In fact you can find programs at all the Orange County branches. They normally fall on evenings or Saturday afternoons and can consist of anything really. There has been cooking demonstrations, one where you actually get to construct a calzone yourself to take home and bake later. Free dinner! As well as fall fashion previews with an Orlando Premium Outlets representative handing out goodie bags and a raffle for gift certificates. There are also more educational programs like how to handle money issues with your significant other and how to best present your resume when applying for a job out of your expertise. And no they don't forget their youngest visitors, events geared toward the kiddies like the Hawaiian Luau with games held this summer are quite popular. Even art exhibits focusing on local artists of varying backgrounds. All this for free! Its a shame more residents don't take advantage of it. The library also holds daily classes on a wide array of topics alot of which to achieve computer savy. Just today for example there are photo shop classes, 3 different levels to work your way up through so you can really become a pro at no cost. A movie maker for seniors class where you'll learn to edit video using Microsoft XP's built-in applications. Even a seasonal themed event entitled Make-up Master where real makeup artists from the film community will demonstrate how to apply that Halloween makeup so you'll be the fright of your costume party. Its amazing how much the library really has to offer. So check out their website and find something you've always wanted to learn about. As they say, knowledge is power. read more

Orange County Library System - Libraries Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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THE BEST LIBRARY EVER!!!! So huge, great selection, people are nice and it's cool literally in downtown Orlando! Loved the library! Thought it strange that wifi isn't free unless u have a library card otherwise u can pay $10 for a week but still give it 5 stars. U can even eat and drink on the reference floor where there are work tables. How cool is that! This library made me want to live in Orlando! read more

Everyone at the library has always been great and I've always enjoyed attending events there for years. We started taking my kids to story time 15 years ago and have continued to use the library for book delivery and events ever since. Last night took the cake though because I went to the battle of the bands contest. The whole staff did an amazing job with that event and I can't even tell you how much it meant to the kids to participate. Thank you! read more

Orange County Library System in ORLANDO FLORIDA! You can't trust the so-called courtesy notification system to let you know books are becoming due. I was lulled into a false sense of security after signing up. I got several reminders in the past and then all of a sudden the library system dropped the ball and didn't send me any reminders and now they have charged $1.75 for every item that was overdue. It's certainly a wonderful tactic to make more money for the library system and I personally think it's heartless! read more

Substantive library in downtown orlando. Interesting historic building, nice children's area, close proximity to lake eola park. Nice and easy family activity. A few negatives: lack of free parking, maybe not the safest area to walk through alone in the dark read more

I have just moved back to London UK after 10 years in Orlando and I miss your great library and the branch libraries, I do not think there is a lending library anywhere in London to compare to your library. For a relatively small town you have a fantastic library system. read more

The library is great but the parking close to it is terrible: Lanier Parking. I went to the library to do some work and parked my car at Lanier Parking only to find out that the car was towed away by ASAP Towing Inc. when I got back (10 mins late, I had my 5yrs old son with me and he needed to use the restroom). I called Maggie Japinoski at 407-346-1316 to find out why this happened and she said you are eligible to be towed away the minute your ticket is expired. I had to call the police and waited an hour to find out what had happened, took the bus home, drove to the towing company with my wife and paid $135 to get my car back. I think instead of giving me a ticket, the company chose to tow my car away because they made more money this way with ASAP Towing Inc - don't give a sh?? about its customers. My whole day was ruined. Avoid parking at Lanier Parking at all cost people. I told my son they towed away our car because it needed to be fixed. Hopefully, someday he could be more truthful than me. read more

This place is truly a treasure for the city of Orlando. I'm a native Orlando Floridian, so I grew up with this library. It blows any other local branch out of the water, just in size, and volume of books available. I enjoy coming here with the family so much, that we drive from Apopka, past two other branches of the Orange County Library System, just to come here once a month or so. The building itself is something that truly adds character to downtown Orlando, and I find it impossible to go inside and not find something (book, CD, DVD, etc.) to check out. They have a great children's section here as well, which our son truly enjoys. We showed up at the tail end of a children's workshop last weekend, and the lady running it ran out to greet us, tell us about the next one, and give us a goody bag full of coupons and fun stuff for kids. I hope they continue to preserve this jewel of Orlando for many years to come. read more

This is the best and the biggest library that I've ever been. Their selections of books, CDs, and DVDs are really good. They also have the new books, too. They offer many kind of activities and classes every month including Pilates, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and it is so cool to join those classes for free as long as you have a membership card. They also have a cafe in the library and as long as you keep the top on a cap, they let you carry your drinks in the library. People there are friendly and willing to help you always. read more

I began at Albertson Public Library in 1949 at the age of ten. Before I was 11, I learned to sneak up the back stairs to the stacks where I could continue to read at my own level: I had participated in the Youth section until a reading competition was held and I was called a liar because "No one could read six novels in one day." By sneaking into the Adult novel section, I could still knock off 3-4 novels on a Saturday and at least one between school (Kaley) and supper (a mile south of Kaley)--the walking did me good. I switched to history books in the 6tth-8th grades; however, I could only read one per visit weekdays but at least three on Saturdays--except for multivolume sets such as Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. 9th grade (1953) I moved to WP and used WP and Rollins exclusively. In 2005 Katrina washed me back to Orlando and I was pleasantly surprised at how the system had enlarged. My kids all have kids and some grandkids, but all live in GAso I do noy know whether kids are treated better than I was or are still being pigeon-holed into what somebody thinks is appropriate reading. If I could read Schopenhaur (which I could), I doubt that Erskine Caldwell could impacy me negatively (it didn't). read more

The main library is great, the local Alafaya branch SUCKS majorly. The beginning reader book area is sooo sparse. Same thing with the art/painting/drawing area. The central computer area is so cramped and crowded. Compared to the Palm Beach County Library system, where I used to live, this is a huge disappointment. read more

This library has a great selection of books and the librarians are very good about obtaining ones that are not currently in the catalog. They have a huge inventory of DVDs and CDs, although some of them are so worn they no longer play properly. The library staff is friendly and helpful and the art work is varied and interesting. I will miss the convenience of the drive up book drop and the ability to reserve DVDs online. Despite the continued loss of services due to the poor economy, it is still one of the better libraries in the system. read more

A fairly small library but a good place for a nap when you get too hot from walking around downtown.

I'm so happy I live in Orange county! The library system has tons of locations around Orange county and the best part- if the book you want is checked out you can request it when it becomes available and they deliver it to your house for free! The library system is also pretty tech friendly and most (if not all) of the books I've requested over the past year have had an e-book option to "rent" an electronic copy. I don't have an e-reader and I prefer reading an actual book but for those people that travel or prefer the electronic book option I think it is really cool you can just get it from the library for free. You can also request books that haven't been released yet as long as they are in the library's system to be offered once the book is available. All of the staff we have encountered at the downtown and the Winter Garden location are very friendly and helpful and they really take the time to explain how your card and membership work so theres no confusion on policies. read more

Libraries have come a long way from just checking out books. When I moved to Orlando I only used the South Creek branch for studying, but soon found that the free wifi allowed me do my day-trading and other stuff during breaks. One of the greatest features of free membership is that if you search online for a specific book, and find out that it is not in your local branch, the will send the book directly to your house free of charge from whatever branch has the book. I couldn't believe it came right to my door at no charge to me. I also came to find out they have a pretty competitive library of CD's that include movies, documentaries and series reruns. I got rid of my Blockbuster account when I discovered their videos. You can check out lots of CD's at once but I found it's best to only take a few for fear of forgetting to return some. Of course since I have Netflix now, I rarely check out CD's. Their online account status is a convenient way to track what you have outstanding and they will send email reminders so you don't get wacked with fines. The fines are minimal, but the catch is they turn off your library internet access until the account is current. They also have occasional classes on various topics, tax preparation and the like. The only downsides are a lack of seating when crowded and after school you tend to get adolescents with absolutely co consideration for "quiet rules" or cell phone use. Just put in your ear-buds. I strongly recommend stopping by and signing up. read more

I've always loved going to the library, so this might be a little biased, but it's pretty much what you would expect. Clean and quiet (except Wednesday morning, when they do readings with little kids and it gets LOUD). read more