Orange County Library System

This is not a good library to come to if you are expecting a quite environment as the low quality of people that visit this place will answer their phones, let their screaming kids run around and talk loudly and the staff does nothing about. Will be going to a different center.

There’s a $ 10 charge for wifi if you are from out of town and don’t have a library card. Boo — first library system i’ve experienced where I couldn’t count on a quiet place to work for free. Also no study rooms just open spaces, and a tech class going on to provide some background noise. Otherwise it’s a nice small local library, just not what I needed and a waste of time getting there and all plugged in.

This library has a great selection of books, cds, and TV series DVDs. There is ample parking and the staff is always very friendly. There are several computers for internet browsing and I have always seen at least a couple, if not most, available. I appreciate that they have 4 self check-​out stations, which are very easy to use, and I have never had to wait in line to check out books. I didn’t give 5 stars because for how great this library is, I wish they had a better selection of DVDs to rent. Also, the signage around the library isn’t great. The first few times that I went here, I felt like it was a little confusing trying to find the various sections. Overall, this is one of my favorite libraries in Orange County.

I enjoy this location as its always clean and the staff is friendly and helpful. They offer story time for children on Thursday mornings, during which children are engaged in learning through song, puppets, dance, and more. The childrens area has a large selection of books, computers for them to use, and puzzles to play with.

Quaint, modern, little library off of OBT in South Orlando. I have been coming here for years, since it first opened its doors in 2002. This branch is by no means similar in scale or content holdings as that of the central branch in Downtown Orlando. This is more of a friendly, neighborhood library which can still seat roughly 150 people with at least 30 public computers that may be used at any given time.
This branch is clean, well kept, and sure, you won’t find the most atypical or exotic book titles on their shelves, but for their overall size, I find that they accomplish very much and are highly effective in their community outreach program with adult classes and seminars that are held within their conference rooms throughout the week. I’ve mostly recoursed to them for their vast selection of free dvd/​cd rentals which you can check-​out for a number of days and even renew periodically on-​line, if you feel you’re short on time.
Their wifi is also decent, even with close to 100 people feeding off the bandwidth during peak hours. They also have a child-​friendly area for smaller children and parents that wish to spend time with their loved ones. They even provide junior sized chairs for young kids. Most of the seating for everyone else is towards the perimeter of the building, with the public computers being located in the dead center of the facility. Great atmosphere for doing homework and reading or if you simply find yourself in need of a well-​lit table and an internet connection. Staff have always been helpful and friendly.

The OC Southwest Branch has a great location because its right by everything in Dr. Phillips. They have a wide range of books, dvds, and music to check out. However, there are a couple of things I don’t like about it:
–This is the LOUDEST library I’ve ever been to. If you’re looking for a quiet place to study, go elsewhere
–You have to have a library card to access the internet… the Winter Park and Celebration libraries have free for all wifi… it just seems old school to me.
–Very limited tables for you to study at
If you’re here to just check something out then you’re good, but if you’re trying to get some serious studying on… its way too distracting.

Sometimes I just cannot believe there is a place that loans you books, music, and movies and all you have to do is return them in good condition and on time or pay a nominal fine. SO COOL!
Having said that I am fortunate enough to live between 2 really nice libraries. The one in Windermere is a little farther but sometimes I’ll go a little farther to avoid the kids and noise that brings SW Library down from 5 to 4 (sometimes 3.5) stars. Where are the librarians who hush everyone?
I like the self check out here.
Get that noise under control & the stars will go up!

I love this library location. It’s very clean and friendly. I went to use the computer lab for Spanish lessons in the language lab. It really is cool to be in a room of other people who are trying to learn another language.
You are given a computer along with headphones, and you go at your own pace. Alcohol swabs are provided for the headphones.
I later learned I did not have to go to the library for the lessons, but I can do it online from home. Duh!!!
All you need is your library card!

I like the smaller library. Its not too packed and convenient for me. I get my free movies here sometimes and they also have a Redbox if you want up to date movies. The library also has new releases but you have to look for them and they don’t tell which ones come out tho. I come here sometimes. The location is nice and you can have them email you when your books are due. Friendly and helpful staff when I go there.

The facilities are ok, however, it’s PACKED!!! Hard to find a good working area and the desks are set up so awkward.
Great place to go read all your local newspapers and surrounding towns publications.
The person sitting next to me breaths like he is in the loudest breath competition in the UNIVERSE. Oh well, I have headphones, Thank shesus!!!

I recently heard they have stopped delivering Entertainment DVDs. :-(

Small But Convenient
The South Creek branch of the Orange Country Public Library is one of the smallest branches, and basically has a small sampling of what the big branches have to offer. However since it is so convenient to the south OBT/Hunter’s Creek/​JYP neighborhoods, it is a frequent dropoff point and as such generally has some good stuff.
The Good:
SO Convenient: The South Creek Branch is right at the intersection of three major neighborhoods in Southwestern Orlando, and as such is probably one of the most visited libraries. It is no more than five minutes from most places, and is easily accessible from the Central Florida Parkway, John Young, and is directly off of S. OBT.
Computer Access Granted: This center has two computer labs, one for general computing, and one for free english and computer skills classes. The computer labs are generally very busy, but most weekdays you’ll be able to get on in quickly, and during the weekends you may need to wait in a queue for about ten minutes.
Lots of material: The Orange County Library system has to be one of the best in the state as far as the sheer amount of material is concerned. New release CDs DVDs and books abound, and the South Creek Branch keeps a pretty wide stock.
The Bad:
You’re breathing on my books: The library is way too small, and if you’ve got more than 4 or 5 people in one area, it gets cramped fast.
J Fiction is MIA: For some reason there are only 4 shelves of J fiction, which means if you have a budding 7 – 10 year old reader your selection is rather limited. No idea why this is as other branches have more JFIC, but oh well.
South Creek Library is a great little branch, that despite being one of the smallest system branches, it’s got quite a bit of content and is a great place to use public computers and take classes.
Overall 6.7÷10 Small Wonder of Literature