Photo courtesy Orange County Library System

Do You Have Your Library Card Yet? Horizon West Is Getting Its Own Library! 


Horizon Westers have long been requesting a library branch closer to home, and now Orange County Library System is working to make it happen! A branch is currently being constructed in between Horizon West's Town Center and the Village of Bridgewater. It will be co-located with the future Horizon West Regional Park, which is located off of Hamlin Groves Trail. This future branch location will offer 20,000 sq. ft. of library space plus OCLS's first planned outdoor events area. 


In March of 2023, OCLS presented the architectural plans in a community meeting. The presentation info and slides are below. Community feedback was also solicited through a public survey, and the residents of Horizon West had the unique opportunity to influence the development of our area's very own branch! 


On November 13, 2024, local leaders and community members gathered as the first ceremonial shovels of dirt turned for the official groundbreaking of the the Horizon West branch of the Orange County Library System.


Horizon West Library is scheduled to be complete in late 2025!


IN THE MEANTIME:
• Get Your Library Card Online

• Borrow Books and Media Using Free Home Delivery

• Return Items via OCLS Drop Box in Hamlin
• Watch for OCLS Library Pop-Up Events in Horizon West

• Sign Up for the Horizon West Branch newsletter

• Visit a HW Little Free Library box to give a book or borrow one


Jan 2025

First Concrete Pour

Construction is under way! The first concrete pour has taken place and work continues daily to meet the expected completion time of late 2025.

OCLS shared a video of the milestone event on their YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFGT4jEylCk

November 13, 2024

Groundbreaking!

The community came out to celebrate the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Horizon West Branch of the Orange County Library System!

The official groundbreaking was Wednesday, November 13, at 10 a.m. at 4657 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Video from the ceremony is above.

Speakers included:
- Danielle King, Chief of Neighborhood Services with OCLS
- District 1 County Commissioner Nicole Wilson
- Crockett Bohannon, President of the Orange County Library System Board of Trustees
- OCLS CEO/Library Director Steve Powell

The Library is scheduled to open in late 2025!

August 2024

Library Site Permits Approved

Chief of Neighborhood Services Danielle King shared that the site permits for the Horizon West Project have been approved by Orange County. The expectation is that site work will begin in the near future.

April 2024

Horizon West Project Budget Approved

Chief of Neighborhood Services Danielle King presented the Guaranteed Maximum Price and Project Budget for the Horizon West construction to the Orange County Library System Board of Trustees.

She stated that due diligence was done to assess whether the figures are indeed in line with similar projects. A brief discussion ensued regarding the budget and the project.

Vice President Benjamin, seconded by Trustee Cisneros Mejia, moved to approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price with H.J. High Construction Company at an estimated cost of $18,300,000, to approve the Horizon West Branch Construction Budget of $27,275,000, and to authorize the Director/CEO to execute the Guaranteed Maximum Price contract with H.J. High Construction Company. Motion carried 4-0.

January 2024

Design Details Shared with HW Magazine

OCLS shared new images and design details for publishing in our annually printed Horizon West resource guide.

The Library's design features expansive windows and a deliberate emphasis on integrating with the surrounding nature, both inside and out. A Florida native flower teaching garden, a nature path with a permanent StoryWalk® installation and a large native oak tree as the visual centerpiece will help blend the library seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

The HW Library will also have OCLS's first outdoor events and performance area!
Interior finishes incorporate earthy textures, organic materials and a color palette inspired by the natural environment.

The children's area will be themed with oversized images of flora, fauna and a particularly important native species – the rare blue calamintha bee, which is not only
beautiful, but unique to our region.

Training rooms, study rooms, public computers and a virtual lab with equipment and software for photography,
videography and podcasting will be available to cardholders.

One of the training rooms will serve as a maker space, offering access to sewing machines, microscopes and more.
Meeting spaces, including three large meeting rooms which can be used independently or combined into one large
area, will provide residents with gathering places available both during and after hours.

Groundbreaking is planned in 2024, but no official date has been provided at this time.

Rendering images are shown in the scrolling image gallery above.

March 2023

First Community Meeting - OCLS Shares Details and Renderings

Residents were invited to learn more about the future Horizon West Branch and meet the architects, Borelli + Partners and builders, H.J. High Construction in a community meeting.

The presentation slides from the meeting are shown in the scrolling image gallery above.

The 20,000 sq ft library will be co-located with HW Regional Park off Hamlin Groves Trail. The design features expansive windows and a deliberate emphasis on integrating with surrounding nature. With everything you would expect from the library including training, study and meeting rooms, a media lab and OCLS' first outdoor event space, the HW Library is expected to open sometime in 2025 (subject to change based on construction and permitting requirements).

OCLS is still accepting feedback on the Library survey. Copy and paste this link to respond: https://tinyurl.com/ycky6x4y (A clickable link also appears in the orange box above.)

The meeting took place on Monday, March 27, 2023 at 7PM at Waterleigh Clubhouse in Horizon West's Hickory Nut Village with Commissioner Nicole Wilson, members OCLS Staff and Board of Trustees and Matt Suedmeyer from Orange County Parks and Recreation Dept.

January 2023

Planning & Design Progress Update

A HW Library Update was presented at the OCLS Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 12, 2023.

OCLS has had several meetings with architects Borrelli & Partners and construction team HJ High to discuss library programmatic requirements, design, and LEED certification.

Working with Orange County Parks & Recreation has led to an approved site plan for the project.

The library will be situated on the east side of the property shared with Horizon West Regional Park. The largest part of the building will be the main library, which will include library materials, training rooms, study rooms, customer service desk, public computers, and the children’s area. There will be a separate area for meeting spaces, including three large meeting rooms that can be opened into one large area or be used as three separate spaces. These will have access to an outdoor area. This branch will have an outdoor stage area with a grassy seating to host large events and outdoor programming.

The space in-between these two components is a reception area that can be closed off so the meeting rooms can be used after hours, while keeping the library area closed and secure. This will also connect to the outdoor performance area.

Currently, the architect team is working on the building & floor plan.

June 2022

Lease Approved & Signed!

On June 9, the Orange County Library System Board of Trustees approved leases for new library branches in both Lake Nona and Horizon West.

In Horizon West, the library will have a ground lease with Orange County that will allow for the design and construction of a library in the Horizon West Regional Park (located at the intersection of Tiny Road and Hamlin Groves Trail). The library will design and construct a 20,000 square-foot building and outdoor pavilion that will share parking and outdoor space with recreation and community facilities operated by the county. Orange County executed its lease with the Library on July 28, 2022.

May 2022

Design Contract Signed

Board approves the Design Services Contract with Borrelli + Partners in the amount of $1,554,943.96. Horizon West branch design process will begin once the property lease is signed.

December 2021

Architect Selected

Board of Trustees approved OCLS staff to enter into fee negotiations with Borrelli & Partners Architects as the selected architects for the Horizon West branch.

August 2021

First Steps Begin

OCLS staff begin plans to hire an architect and contractor for the Horizon West branch. Library CFO indicated finalized leases for both HW branch and Lake Nona branch locations are 6 to 12 months away.

August 2021

Home Delivery Expanded to 34787

Since 1974, the Library has been delivering requests to home doorsteps! Library customers are eligible for home delivery of library items through MAYL (Materials Access from Your Library). Most deliveries are made by Priority Express Parcel to your home, while the remainder are sent by US Mail. At the Aug 2021 meeting, the Board of Trustees announced that MAYL will be extended to serve all of 34787 zip code -- much of which serves Horizon West residents.

July 2021

HW Book Return Installed

Horizon West received an interim solution while awaiting a full OCLS branch. . A Book Return drop-box was installed in the Publix plaza in the Hamlin area of HW Town Center. It is located in front of State Farm Insurance on Shoreside Way. The drop box makes returning borrowed books and multimedia materials simpler and more convenient, especially for items ordered through the library’s free home delivery service.

July 2021

Support for Conceptual Plan to Build Two Branches

Orange County and City of Orlando officials collaborated to bring a proposal to the OCLS Board to suggest a possible path to funding two locations simultaneously. In Horizon West, rather than purchase the parcel at Tiny Road in Horizon West, staff suggested obtaining the land through a ground lease. In Lake Nona, the City of Orlando would bear the construction costs of the building, parking and infrastructure and will later lease the completed facility to OCLS at market value. As a first step, the Board voted to pursue working with Orange County and City of Orlando for libraries at both locations. This gave both parties authorization to begin drafting the real estate deals required.

June 2021

Awaiting Proposal

On behalf of the residents of Lake None, the City of Orlando committed to bring the OCLS Board of Trustees a proposal that could allow for libraries to be built in both locations — Horizon West and Lake Nona.

March 2021

Plans Interrupted

A grassroots effort from residents in Lake Nona sought to have OCLS build a branch there as well, but the Library only had funding to build one new branch at a time. A City Commissioner from Orlando suggested research could be done to find an avenue to fund both locations. He suggested there is an opportunity to take advantage of Orlando's plans to build a government center in Lake Nona.

January 2021

Commitment to Purchase Land

in January 2021, the Library Board voted to commit to purchase a parcel of land at the near the northeast corner of the future Horizon West Regional Park. This action allows OCLS staff to proceed with all the things necessary for negotiating the land purchase.

November 2019

Land Selected

During the November 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting, the Library Board approved a resolution, which selects the Horizon West “East Parcel” – located at the intersection of Tiny Road and Hamlin Groves Trail – as the preferred location for the Horizon West Branch Library.

2016

The Beginning

A plan for a Horizon West library branch has been in the works for many years. OCLS Board of Trustees' meeting minutes reflect discussions about a Horizon West branch since at least 2016!

A New Branch on the Horizon: Library Events Already in Horizon West

By Marie Robinson • February 6, 2025
Library Pop-up Events Emerge Ahead of Horizon West Branch Opening

From Vision to Reality: Horizon West Breaks Ground on New Library

By Leah Emmanouilidis • November 13, 2024
New Library Set to Enrich Our Community

Ana’s Library Joins Growing Collection of Free Library Boxes in HW

April 5, 2024
Ana’s Little Free Library was established and donated by Horizon West resident Jamie Swick as a loving tribute to her mother, Ana Ravelo-Ortiz. Ana was a mother, teacher, friend and mentor to many.

Orange County Library Plans HW Pop-Up Events Now Through Summer

By Horizon West Happenings • April 12, 2023
Pop-Up Events Offer Free Family Entertainment from OCLS

Celebrate 100 Years with Orange County Library System

By Horizon West Happenings • December 27, 2022
Horizon West Library Plans in Progress + Pop Ups Coming Soon

Library Board Supports Conceptual Plan to Build Two Branches

By Horizon West Happenings • July 9, 2021
High Level Plans Pique Interest But Require More Details

When Will Horizon Westers Have a Library Branch Closer to Home?

By Horizon West Happenings • March 31, 2021
Horizon West Residents Show Interest and Support for New Local Branch

OCLS to Move Forward with Horizon West Library

By Horizon West Happenings • February 26, 2021
Horizon West is One Step Closer to a New Library

Orange County Library Responding to Growth in Horizon West with Pop-Ups!

By Horizon West Happenings • June 12, 2019
With residents flocking to our community in record numbers, Horizon West is considered ideal for potential library expansion by Orange County. What exciting news! As the Orange County Library System explores opportunities to lease a property in the area, with the hopes of building in the future, they are creating programming right now for residents to enjoy. Libraries offer so much more than books! Free resources, programs, classes, and a safe place that enriches and fosters education for all ages are some of the offerings that make them a haven for growth and community building. This month, OCLS will be continue their pop-up events at the Waterleigh Community Clubhouse in an effort to provide a library summer program to the families of Horizon West. Attendance of these programs is vital for OCLS to gather feedback, which will bring a Horizon West location closer to realization! Visit our Events Calendar to register! You'll find the list of July dates so your crew can enjoy stories, crafts, projects, games and more. Special needs can be accommodated ahead of time through the event link on our calendar. Comedy Maks Variety Show (Recommended for lower and upper elementary) Friday, July 12th at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a library program filled with fun for the whole family! Comedy Maks will be hosting a high energy variety show, complete with magic tricks, juggling, plate-spinning and more. Bubble Playtime and Parachute Play (Recommended for toddlers and young elementary) Friday, July 19th at 10:30am Storytime and Craft (Recommended for toddlers and young elementary) Friday, July 26th at 10:30 a.m. All events will be presented at: Waterleigh Community Clubhouse 16150 Pebble Bluff Loop, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Visit our Events Calendar to register your kiddos! Questions? Call OCLS at 407-835-7323

Who wants to see a library in Horizon West?

By Horizon West Happenings • October 28, 2018
Do your part in the process of Horizon West getting a library! Take a few minutes out of your day to answer some questions about your familiarity with libraries and their greater role in serving communities.