Events & Presentations Speakers, programs, media events, press conferences, special guests and more.
Flamenco Puro Dance Company
Feel the rhythms of the flamenco and Spanish folk dances that came over from from Spain with Christopher Columbus and Ponce de Leon. Presented by the Orange County Library System; featuring the Flamenco Puro Dance Company. (2:19)
Chinese Lion Dance & Kung Fu Demonstration
Sifu Charles Rivera and his students from Hung Fut Hung Man Fei Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association perform the traditional Southern Chinese Lion Dance and demonstrate their kung fu skills at the Orlando Public Library in celebration of this year's Big Read, "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan. (3:37)
2013 Adult Summer Reading
We'd love to see you at the 2013 Adult Summer Reading Program, "Groundbreaking Reads," at the Orange County Library System! Check out http://www.ocls.info/asr for a schedule and more information! (:49)
Cuatro Gatos Spanish Book Club: 6th Anniversary Celebration
Members of the South Creek Branch Library's Cuatro Gatos tertulia, or book club, celebrated their 6th anniversary at the Orlando Public Library with song, dance, poetry readings and awards. They also celebrated the culture and crafts of Ecuador. (2:17)
Becoming an American Citizen at the Orlando Public Library
50 immigrants from countries around the world become American citizens at a naturalization ceremony held at the Orlando Public Library on April 16, 2013. Library director Mary Anne Hodel served as the keynote speaker. (4:30)
Confectionary Workshop @ OCLS
The Orlando Confectionary Artists Guild recently visited the Herndon Branch Library to showcase easy and fun ways of making cake pops, fondant animals and cute cupcake toppers! (3:14)
OCLS Teen Summer Reading Program and TechKrew: 2013
Join the TechKrew and go Under The Surface at the awesome 2013 teen summer reading program at the Orange County Public Library! (1:17)
Pages to Petals
A small group of crafters at the Winter Garden library turn the pages from old books into beautiful paper flowers. (1:53)
Jason Surrell: The Art of The Avengers
Jason Surrell, author of "The Art of The Avengers," visited the Orlando Public Library on January 5, 2013 to talk about his experiences on set during the filming of 2012's most popular superhero movie. Surrell also signed copies of his book for the audience. (9:11)
Ha Roda on Vietnamese Cooking
Vietnamese cook and cookbook author Ha Roda, known as "The Pho Queen," talks about her young life in Vietnam, what it was like to escape the country on a fishing boat, and the childhood meals that continue to inspire her today. (4:46)
Ponce de Leon visits the Orlando Public Library
When 16th-century Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon decided to continue his search for the Fountain of Youth in modern Florida, he knew the best place to start was the Orlando Public Library! Presented as part of Viva Florida 500.
Orange County Library System: http://www.ocls.info/vivaflorida500
Florida Department of State: http://www.vivaflorida.org (2:46)
Orange County Library System: http://www.ocls.info/vivaflorida500
Florida Department of State: http://www.vivaflorida.org (2:46)
From Animal House To Our House
Just over a decade ago, Loyola University professor and author Ron Tanner, who had never done anything like this before, bought a trashed fraternity house in Baltimore and started a years-long process of rehabbing it to its former glory. His rehab adventures are chronicled in his new book, From Animal House to Our House. Here, he tells an audience at the Orlando Public Library a story from the most stressful period of the renovation process. (9:37)
Living Younger: Food and Nutrition
Dr. Eudene Harry, author of How to Live Younger in 10 Simple Steps: a Practical Guide to Slowing Down the Aging Process from the Inside Out, begins her five-week residency at the Orlando Public Library by speaking about the effect the foods we eat can have on our overall health and how our bodies age. Dr. Harry will discuss topics such as weight loss and alternative therapies every Tuesday night until February 20, 2013. (4:10)
Getting Along With Family
Ailyn Gonzalez, volunteer mediator with the Orange County Court Mediation Department, speaks to teens looking for ways to avoid fights and resolve conflicts with their families. This event was part of October 2012's "College Bound" series of programs for teens and their parents. (15:54)
Chris Kridler: Author and storm chaser
Storm chaser Chris Kridler, author of "Funnel Vision," appears at the Orlando Public Library to talk about what it's really like to chase tornados and supercell storms in Tornado Alley. (9:40)
The Life and Times of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Actress and re-enactor Karen De Vos takes on the role of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, delving into the life and times of the famed Florida writer, author of "Cross Creek," "The Yearling," and other novels featuring residents of the rural mid-century Sunshine State. (16:45)
Peace Corps: Friends and Family
Peace Corps volunteer and recruiter Jessica Lampron speaks at the Orlando Public Library about what potential volunteers can expect while serving abroad in the Peace Corps. (17:32)
Cupcake Decorating Class with Miss Holly
Hollis Wilder, two-time winner of TV's Cupcake Wars and owner of Orlando cupcake shop Sweet By Holly, stopped by the Alafaya Branch Library on December 8, 2012 for a master decorating class that drew over eighty people and raised funds for the library. (2:06)
How The North Won: Lincoln vs. Davis and Grant vs. Lee
University of Central Florida professor John Sacher recently gave a talk at the Orlando Public Library exploring why the Union won the Civil War over the Confederacy. In this excerpt, Sacher compares the leadership styles that influenced that outcome: President Lincoln vs. Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and northern General Ulysses S. Grant and southern General Robert E. Lee. (9:39)
Interview with Sherri Flynt, co-author of SuperSized Kids
Sherri Flynt, co-author of "SuperSized Kids" and the head of Florida Hospital's Center for Nutritional Excellence, discusses the childhood obesity problem and ways parents can help children make healthier choices about food and nutrition at a program on October 30, 2012 at the Orlando Public Library. (10:24)
New Trends In Social Media
Ryan Schram, chief marketing officer of IZEA.com, stops by the Orlando Public Library to speak about new trends in social media, including Facebook marketing, customer relations on Twitter, Pinterest, social media sponsorship and more. (31:20)
Happy 10th Birthday, Squirt!
Staff and patrons of the Orange County Library System wish Squirt, the system's mascot, a happy 10th birthday! (4:02)
The Life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh: Playwright Virnell Ann Bruce
Virnell Ann Bruce, author of the one-woman play "Shells: A Cameo of Anne Morrow Lindbergh," speaks at the Orlando Public Library about the writer's works, accomplishments and marriage to aviator Charles Lindbergh. (23:43)
What's In Season Right Now? Fall 2012
Kendra Lott, publisher of the magazine Edible Orlando, visits the Orlando Public Library to introduce patrons to Central Florida's varied and differing options for delicious local autumn seafood and produce. (12:45)
Gift Announcement for the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation & Creativity
Ken Melrose presents the Orange County Library System with a check for $1,000,000 as the library unveils its plans for the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation & Creativity at the Orlando Public Library. Follow the Center's progress at tic.ocls.info. (16:10)
How to Start a Food Truck
Interested in running your own food truck business, but not sure how to get started? Learn the ins and outs of the world of food trucks in this panel discussion featuring the owners of some of Orlando's best gourmet food trucks. Moderated by Mark Baratelli, creator of The Daily City and The Food Truck Bazaar, and presented by the Orange County Library System. (57:43)
Glen "Big Baby" Davis at the Orlando Public Library
Glen "Big Baby" Davis of the Orlando Magic visits the Orlando Public Library to announce the brand new partnership between the Orange County Library System and the Glen "Big Baby" Davis Foundation, as well as to discuss the importance of libraries and to meet some of his fans! (6:51)
Jeff Ashton at the Orlando Public Library
Former Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton, prosecutor for the Casey Anthony trial, answers questions about the trial and his new book, Imperfect Justice, at the Orlando Public Library. (16:06)
The Disney Prize Patrol Visits OCLS
The Disney Prize Patrol from Walt Disney World visits the Orlando Public Library and surprises the Orange County Library System with a Help Kids Shine grant! (2:05)
Mayor Buddy Dyer's Cities of Service: Orlando Cares
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and special guests visit the Orlando Public Library to kick off Mayor Buddy Dyer's Orlando Cares initiative, a city-wide service plan that aims to help youth improve their academic success, increase their literacy skills, plan viable career choices, and much more. (24:28)
Judge Alicia Latimore
Circuit Judge Alicia Latimore of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orange County, Florida visits the Orlando Public Library to talk about her road to becoming the first African American female on the court and the importance of getting an education. (19:34)
How to Keep Your Kids Off the Bully Radar
Jim West, LMHC, NCC, explains what can lead a child to bully others and how to help children effectively deal with bullies. Part of the March Against Bullying initiative from the Orange County Library System. (13:05)
Star Wars Illustrators Chris Trevas and Chris Reiff
Chris Trevas and Chris Reiff, the master illustrators behind the Star Wars Blueprints book series, among other Star Wars books, toys, and models, visit the Orlando Public Library on August 16, 2010 during Star Wars Celebration V to discuss their artwork, collaborating with Lucasfilm, and their love of all things Star Wars. (14:48)
Dara Torres @ OCLS
Twelve-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres (the only woman ever to swim in the Olympics past the age of 40) visits the Orlando Public Library to talk about her life, her accomplishments, and her new book, "Age Is Just a Number." (10:11)
Counsel for Caregivers: Dr. John Fleming
Dr. John Fleming of Florida Hospital discusses geriatrics, aging problems, and providing effective care for the elderly. Part of the Counsel for Caregivers Seminar Series. (8:50)
Dr. David E. Guggenheim - The Ocean Doctor
Dr. David E. Guggenheim, marine biologist and president of 1planet1ocean, speaks about nutrient pollution, overfishing, and shifting baselines, and gives us a glimpse into what we can do about them now and in the future. (10:45)
Citizenship Inspired
Watch the Citizenship Inspired kick-off event with appearances by James Tyson (OCLS Board of Trustees) and Tico Perez (Más Communications, local businessman, activist, and talk show host), as well as a special message from United States Senator Mel Martinez. (7:59)
Tupperware Unsealed: The Story of Brownie Wise
WESH-TV reporter and author Bob Kealing recounts the story of Brownie Wise, Earl Tupper, and Tupperware as told in his new book, Tupperware Unsealed. (10:16)
Dr. Jan Garavaglia, Medical Examiner
Jan C. Garavaglia, M.D. (a.k.a. Dr. G), chief medical examiner for the District Nine (Orange-Osceola) Medical Examiner's Office in Florida, and star of her own show on the Discovery Health channel, speaks about the job of a medical examiner and opportunities for women in medicine. (7:37)
Val Demings, Orlando Chief of Police
Val Demings, Orlando's first female chief of police, speaks about her career, struggles, and women's history at the Orlando Public Library. (9:42)
Weeki Wachee: City of Mermaids
Take a trip to Weeki Wachee with Dr. Lu Vickers, author of the new book Weeki Wachee: City of Mermaids, and learn about this once-popular Florida roadside attraction. (10:43)
In the Kennedy Kitchen
Neil Connolly, head chef of Doc’s Restaurant in downtown Orlando and former personal chef to the Kennedy family, shares stories from his new book, In the Kennedy Kitchen, at the Orlando Public Library. (9:47)
Buyer Beware with Greg Dawson
The Orlando Sentinel's own consumer advocate Greg Dawson shares stories about his work and tips on how to avoid getting scammed. (16:50)
Take Know For an Answer Kick Off
OCLS kicks off its new public awareness campaign with new billboards, a television commercial, Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty, and many more Central Florida celebrities. (15:57)
Women in Early America
Author and Rollins College professor Dorothy Mays discusses what life was like for Puritan women in 17th century Colonial America. (15:25)
How Stem Cell Research Saved My Life
Research scientist and author Bernard Ban Zyl recounts his massive, near-fatal heart attack and the experimental stem cell treatment that saved his life. (12:03)
The Big Read Kick Off
Check out highlights of The Big Read Kick Off as speakers and storytellers celebrate Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God as a classic piece of American literature. (11:33)
Columbia: Final Voyage
Journalist Philip Chien (one of the only reporters to know all of Columbia's astronauts personally) revisits the Columbia space shuttle tragedy and honors those that were lost through personal stories and memories. (14:40)
The Search for Sunken Treasure: The Story of the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum
Joan Kostenbater from the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum speaks about sunken treasure found off the coast of Florida. (5:49)
"Be Well Informed at Your Library" Press Conference
Watch the press conference announcing the launch of the "Be Well Informed at Your Library" program, a partnership between the American Library Association and Walgreens. (5:41)
Central Florida Memory Unveiling
Enjoy highlights of the Central Florida Memory conference at the Orlando Public Library, where library and historical society leaders gathered to discuss the preservation of history and family memories. (33:17)
80 Years at Rosalind and Central
Get an in-depth look at the history of the Orlando Public Library and the Orange County Library System in this documentary produced by Library staff for Staff Day 2003. (9:39)
