ENTRYWAY RENDERING VIA ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
“We’re excited to share a first look at the upcoming renovation of the first floor of the Orlando Public Library. The attached renderings offer a glimpse of the refreshed spaces that will help us better serve our customers while creating a more welcoming and engaging experience for everyone who visits. This renovation reflects our ongoing commitment to providing spaces that support learning, connection, creativity, and discovery, and we look forward to sharing updates as the project progresses.”
– ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
The Orange County Library System (Instagram | Website) is on the cusp of an $18 million renovation push at the Orlando Public Library downtown, with several projects ready to kick off as early as this week.
The most visible near-term change is the replacement of the front entry door system. According to OCLS officials, the existing doors have reached the end of their useful life and will be relocated to align with the building facade, eliminating a recessed nook that has created safety and security concerns over the years due to lack of clear sightlines. The project is being expedited ahead of a larger first-floor renovation. Borrelli + Partners is leading the architectural and engineering work, with Gomez Construction Company handling construction. The city issued verbal approval for the door relocation in October 2025, and the whole project is expected to officially begin in late summer.
The broader $18 million capital improvement budget also covers a roof replacement, which accounts for roughly half the total budget, including HVAC replacements, a first-floor renovation design, and other system-wide improvements. Of that, $1.38 million has been spent so far on the roof replacement, first-floor renovation design, a bookmobile leased space renovation, and carpet replacement at the South Trail branch.
Inside the library, the Young Adult collection is being permanently relocated from the first floor to the second floor, into the space currently occupied by the Melrose Gallery. The new teen space will feature updated carpeting, enhanced lighting, and study pods designated for patrons ages 13 to 18.
Updates on the renovation progress are available at ocls.org/orlando-public-library-updates, and we also have the official (non-AI-generated) renderings below.
