ORLANDO, Fla. — Continued projected growth in Horizon West is driving the construction of a new library.

Chief Executive Officer for the Orange County Library System Steve Powell said construction is underway in Horizon West.

What You Need To Know

  • Continued projected growth in Horizon West is driving the construction of a new library

  • Until the new library is completed, pop-up library events are trying to fill a need 

  • The Orange County Library System currently has 15 branches

  • Another new branch is planned at Lake Nona but is still in the permitting stage. 

  • The combined cost for both branches will be $50 million

It’s been an ongoing discussion for nearly 10 years.

According to the U.S. Census, population in Horizon West in 2010 was 14,000 people. The latest numbers show population had grown to 58,000 people by 2020.

“Our expansion out there is very exciting. It’s going to be the biggest branch we’ve ever built at 20,000 square feet,” Powell said.

Right now, Orange County Library System is made up of 15 branches.

The new library will be co-located with the Horizon West Regional Park off Hamlin Groves Trail.

“We haven’t kept up with growth out there, so having a library out there is going to be very important to us — not just for children’s literacy or after-school homework help or just having library resources in the community,” he said.

The new library, scheduled to open in early 2026, will feature an outdoor stage area with grassy seating to host events and outdoor programming.

The Horizon West community has been vocal and supportive of the addition, Powell said.

“Population growth has really grown in west Orange County and being only in Winter Garden and Windermere, we just aren’t far enough to reach all of those folks that are out in Horizon West,” Powell said.

Pamela Allen and her granddaughter, Gracelynn, have lived in Horizon West for four years and come to the Waterleigh community clubhouse nearly every Wednesday for story time.

It’s a library pop-up event at which children learn, sing, dance and read together.

Allen said it takes a while to get to other library branches with Gracelynn, so she’s excited a library in her own backyard is opening soon.

“It’s just going to be a few minutes away,” she said.

Allen said story time is an important part of her granddaughter’s learning development.

“She loves to do the story time for the singing and the dancing and interacting with the other kids,” she said.

To fill a need while the new branch is being built, Horizon West residents like Gracelynn and Pamela Allen enjoy the impact of the pop-up events.

“Books have always been important for her, so we can’t wait for the new branch to open,” Allen said.

Another branch in Lake Nona also will be built but is still in the permitting process.

The Orange County Library System is spending $50 million combined to build both branches.

As the Horizon West library branch continues construction, residents can give feedback through this community survey on what they’d like to see.