By Jim Carchidi
October 7, 2026
Orange County Library System will officially open the Horizon West Branch on Saturday, Oct. 10. The public is invited to a 10 a.m. grand opening event featuring a first look at the new building, located at 4657 Hamlin Groves Tr.
Next-level facilities
The library broke ground in November 2024 at Horizon West Regional Park. Completion was estimated by late 2025 and the construction budget was nearly $27.3 million. The 20,000-square-foot building is the largest of all Orange County Library System branches.
Neighborhood libraries have evolved from books and magazines to digital media resources and next-generation learning spaces. Traditional library offerings remain a cornerstone at Horizon West Branch, with a collection of 45,000 books and a children’s reading space. But the facility is setting a new bar with a slate of community resources.
- Two study rooms, offered free of charge, and three meeting rooms, available for reservation, will allow students, remote workers, and local organizations their choice of spaces for business, study, and collaboration.
- Two dedicated training rooms will accommodate technology, STEM, and arts-related education.
- A media lab will act as a studio space with a green screen, lighting, and audio recording software. And post production needs will be filled by editing software for audio, video, and photography.
Educational offerings
A class schedule for every age group and interest is already available for sign-up. Adult programming teaches skills like Microsoft Excel, Canva, and graphic design. Family classes offer early-learning, story times, and baby and toddler activities. And older age groups can take advantage of technology, coding and robotics, STEM, arts and crafts, and other hands-on learning experiences. Kids and adults can sign up for language classes, fiber arts, and other workshops and community events.
Horizon West class schedules and registration are available on the Orange County Library System website.
A breath of fresh air
Horizon West Branch is part of an 11-acre campus featuring the following outdoor experiences:
StoryWalk: A page-by-page display of children’s stories set along a walking path. A new story will be displayed each month.
Percussion Pathway: A hands-on exhibit of interactive outdoor musical instruments.
Performance Play: Outdoor activities and programming will take place in a shaded area with an astroturf lawn for seating and play space.
Florida-friendly garden: A sustainable greenspace features more than 40 native and Florida-friendly trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Opening day schedule
The grand opening begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10., with the following schedule:
10 a.m. Ribbon Cutting
10:15 a.m. Entertainment in Lobby
11:30 a.m. Family Performance
12 p.m. Solar Observing
12:30 p.m. Family Performance
1 p.m. Nature Walk with Master Gardener
2 p.m. Storytime
2:30 p.m. Meet a Beekeeper
3 p.m. Drum Circle
The following all-day activities are planned throughout the campus:
- Library card signup
- LEGO demonstrations
- Scavenger hunt
- Fiber arts and crafts
- Bookmark giveaways
Check the Horizon West Branch web page and social media for updates.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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