Events & Presentations
Speakers, programs, media events, press conferences, special guests and more.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Join the TechKrew and go Under The Surface at the awesome 2013 teen summer reading program at the Orange County Public Library!
(1:17)
A small group of crafters at the Winter Garden library turn the pages from old books into beautiful paper flowers.
(1:53)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Staff and patrons of the Orange County Library System wish Squirt, the system's mascot, a happy 10th birthday!
(4:02)
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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 from Walt Disney World visits the Orlando Public Library and surprises the Orange County Library System with a Help Kids Shine grant!
(2:05)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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, 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)
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)
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)
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's first female chief of police, speaks about her career, struggles, and women's history at the Orlando Public Library. (9:42)
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)
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)
The
Orlando Sentinel's own consumer advocate Greg Dawson shares stories about his work and tips on how to avoid getting scammed. (16:50)
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)
Author and Rollins College professor Dorothy Mays discusses what life was like for Puritan women in 17th century Colonial America. (15:25)
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)
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)
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)
Joan Kostenbater from the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum speaks about sunken treasure found off the coast of Florida. (5:49)
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)
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)
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)
