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Cancelled

Salem Roots: Tracing Lives From Accused to Ancestors

Explore the Salem Witch Trials through genealogy and history. Trace the lives of the accused, survivors, judges, and families—and discover how this dark chapter shaped generations.

The Orange County Library System (OCLS) provides general genealogy instruction and assistance to customers researching their family histories. Genealogy research often involves historical records that may contain outdated, offensive, or discriminatory language. Original terminology found in historical documents and other source materials may be referenced when necessary for accuracy, context, and understanding and does not reflect the views or endorsements of OCLS. Information provided by OCLS is for informational purposes only and should be verified using original records and other reliable sources.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | History - Culture - Genealogy |

TAGS: | westoaks | genealogy | bb-genealogy |

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Hours
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Mon, Oct 05 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Oct 06 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 07 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Oct 08 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Oct 09 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 10 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Oct 11 1:00PM to 6:00PM
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About the branch

Upcoming events

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Online Class: Microsoft Word Level 2 - Proofing, Templates & Pictures
Sat, Oct 10, 10:30am - 11:30am
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Explore Microsoft Word's proofing features like the spelling and grammar check. Use and modify Word templates with ease. Enhance your document by inserting and formatting pictures.
Online Class: Adobe Photoshop - Layer Blending Modes
Sat, Oct 10, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Apply blending modes to image layers to quickly fix problems with exposure, shadows and highlights. Learn to use blending modes to generate artistic and creative effects on photos.
Writing Workshop: Researching the Weird Stuff - Making Speculative Fiction Sound Real
Sat, Oct 10, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
From folklore to physics, a panel of speculative fiction authors will share how to research the impossible, build believable worlds, and make the weirdest ideas feel uncannily real.
Online: Intro to Affinity (by Canva)
Sun, Oct 11, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Discover the power of Affinity, a free and versatile creative suite for graphic design, document creation, and photo editing.
Online: Edit PDFs with Adobe Acrobat
Sun, Oct 11, 2:15pm - 3:00pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn the fundamentals of Adobe Acrobat, the differences between Pro and DC versions, and their many features.
Speaking Clearly Advanced
Mon, Oct 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
Virtual ESL Room 2
Improve your English speaking and pronunciation skills. Intended for advanced English language learners.  Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Open Lab - Learn a Language: "The Orientation"
Mon, Oct 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Online Technology Classroom 1
Learn a new language using library resources.
Online Class: Microsoft Excel Level 2 - Secure Spreadsheets
Mon, Oct 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Customize and organize worksheets with sheet names, color coding, headers, themes, and more. Protect your worksheets with a password and learn how to print your data.
Preschool Storytime: Virtual Let's Learn Letters and Numbers
Mon, Oct 12, 11:00am - 11:40am
Virtual Room - Alafaya
Preschoolers will delight in interactive stories, songs, and rhymes that inspire a love of reading and build early literacy skills. Recommended for ages 3–5.
Speaking Clearly Beginners
Mon, Oct 12, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
A pronunciation class for beginners. The class is designed to introduce learners to the basics of the sounds of English for pronunciation. Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Online: Graphic Design Made Easy with Adobe Express
Mon, Oct 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
No time to learn Photoshop? Use the free Express app to intuitively and quickly create all the graphics you need.
Online: Create Videos & Reels with Adobe Express
Mon, Oct 12, 2:15pm - 2:45pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
No time to learn Premiere? Use the free Express app to create cool video edits with fluid text and graphics animations.
Online: Create a 3D Video Game Character - Blender Essentials 10 Parts Class Series
Mon, Oct 12, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Join this 10-part class series and learn how to model, texture, rig, and animate a character for a video game.
English for Social Interactions
Mon, Oct 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
This class will cover a wide array of topics from accepting and rejecting an invitation to engaging in small talk with strangers. Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Online: Open Lab - Pronunciator - Guided Practice Lab for Spanish Learners with Ms. Brenda
Mon, Oct 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Online Technology Classroom 1
Let's learn and use Pronunciator to learn Spanish vocabulary by topic.
Online Class: Crochet Level 1 - Beginner
Mon, Oct 12, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Start crocheting today! Techniques include creating a slip knot, chaining, and single crochet stitches.
Online Class: Microsoft PowerPoint Level 2
Mon, Oct 12, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Capture your audience attention with a visually compelling presentation. Learn how to insert and customize SmartArt graphics, tables, charts and video.
Bilingual Conversations with Ms. Brenda
Mon, Oct 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
Bilingual (Spanish / English) Conversational Interactions with Ms. Brenda
Online: Ask a Designer: Live Creative Coaching
Mon, Oct 12, 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Your one-stop shop for creative questions. Need help, feedback, or direction with a project? Need to review or expand on previous Adobe classes? We’re here to help.
Weaving Local Myths and Magic into Your Supernatural Stories
Mon, Oct 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
New York Times bestselling author Ginny Myers Sain will discuss how to work local legends and lore into your stores to add flavor and suspense.
Preschool Storytime: Virtual Pajama Party
Mon, Oct 12, 7:00pm - 7:40pm
Virtual Room - Alafaya
Preschoolers will delight in interactive stories, songs, and rhymes that inspire a love of reading and build early literacy skills. Recommended for ages 3–5.
Online: Logo Design and Development using Adobe Illustrator
Tue, Oct 13, 10:00am - 10:30am
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn best practices for logo design by making a simple but effective logo in Illustrator.
Spanish from Zero - Intermediate with Brenda
Tue, Oct 13, 10:15am - 11:15am
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish B1) Come and learn Spanish grammar with Ms. Brenda.
Virtual: Writing Clearly Intermediate
Tue, Oct 13, 10:30am - 11:30am
Virtual ESL Room 2
Join us for a virtual meeting using ZOOM where we will focus on grammar for complex ideas, including sentence structures, paragraph, and essay writing. Recommended for those 18 years and older. 
Online Class: Basic Programming Concepts Level 1 - Block Coding with Code Studio
Tue, Oct 13, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Start your programming adventure with the basics. Create a mobile web app while learning key concepts, including algorithms, programs, events and debugging.
Spanish From Zero for Beginners with Ms. Brenda
Tue, Oct 13, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish A0) Learn and use Spanish for the first time with Ms. Brenda.
Online Class: Basic Programming Concepts Level 2 - Variables in Programs
Tue, Oct 13, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Continue your programming adventure with the fundamentals. Create a mobile web app while learning key concepts, including inputs and variables.
Citizenship Inspired (4- Session Series)
Tue, Oct 13, 2:00pm - 3:45pm
Virtual Room - Citizenship Inspired
During this 4-session program, students will meet to prepare for the U.S. Naturalization (Citizenship) Test and Interview. 10/6 Session 1; 10/7 Session 2; 10/13 Session 3; 10/14 Session 4.
Spanish from Zero - Basics with Ms. Brenda
Tue, Oct 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish A1-A2) Come and learn basic Spanish with Ms. Brenda.
Online: Create a 3D Video Game Character - Blender Essentials 10 Parts Class Series
Tue, Oct 13, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Join this 10-part class series and learn how to model, texture, rig, and animate a character for a video game.
Cancelled
Virtual Event: Knit and Crochet Meetup with Alafaya
Tue, Oct 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Connect with other Central Florida fiber artists while working on your craft. Be sure to bring your work in progress, yarn and tools. All levels are welcome. Recommended for ages 18 and up.
Online: Intro to Adobe Illustrator
Tue, Oct 13, 5:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn what this powerful vector application is capable of.
Spanish from Zero - Intermediate with Brenda
Tue, Oct 13, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish B1) Come and learn Spanish grammar with Ms. Brenda.
Online Class: Canva Basics
Tue, Oct 13, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Bring your design ideas to life with Canva, a free graphic design application. Use thousands of templates to gain inspiration and ideas for your next project.
Spanish From Zero for Beginners with Ms. Brenda
Tue, Oct 13, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
(Spanish A0) Learn and use Spanish for the first time with Ms. Brenda.
Writing with Prompts
Tue, Oct 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual Room - EPD
Author and host of the Story Kernels podcast Alli Martin will discuss why and how to use story prompts to enrich your writing life. Martin will share prompt resources as well.
Online: Digital Painting 101
Wed, Oct 14, 10:00am - 11:00am
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn the basics of using a digital environment for drawing and painting using a pen tablet.
Online Class: Crochet Along 2026 - Flower Bouquet - Intermediate
Wed, Oct 14, 10:00am - 11:30am
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Join us for this year long series to create a realistic style crocheted bouquet of flowers. This class meets once a month to complete a longform project together in a warm and welcoming environment!
Virtual: Writing Clearly Advanced
Wed, Oct 14, 10:30am - 11:30am
Virtual ESL Room 2
Join us on ZOOM to practice academic style writing along with more complex vocabulary. Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Cancelled
Discover America! - This week: Alabama!
Wed, Oct 14, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Come with us on a virtual road trip as we explore one state at a time. We will explore the history, the culture and most of all those precious genealogical resources that are unique to each location!
Citizenship Inspired (4- Session Series)
Wed, Oct 14, 2:00pm - 3:45pm
Virtual Room - Citizenship Inspired
During this 4-session program, students will meet to prepare for the U.S. Naturalization (Citizenship) Test and Interview. 10/6 Session 1; 10/7 Session 2; 10/13 Session 3; 10/14 Session 4.
Virtual Event: Knit and Crochet Meetup with Raegan
Wed, Oct 14, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Have a great time mingling with other Central Florida fiber artists while working on your craft. Be sure to bring your work in progress, yarn and tools. All levels are welcome.
Virtual Event: Practica Spanish for Seniors and Beyond
Wed, Oct 14, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Room - Southeast
Practica tu español! Develop your Spanish language skills through conversation. Conversational topics and themed vocabulary will be provided. Recommended for adults.
Online: Create a 3D Video Game Character - Blender Essentials 10 Parts Class Series
Wed, Oct 14, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Join this 10-part class series and learn how to model, texture, rig, and animate a character for a video game.
Online: From Text to Images - Generative AI with Adobe Firefly
Wed, Oct 14, 5:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn about Adobe’s Powerful AI engine and how it integrates into their apps.
All-Levels Yoga
Wed, Oct 14, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual Room - EPD
Get moving with this energizing and relaxing yoga sequence for all-levels. Tap into the strength, balance, flexibility and relaxation that your body can provide you.
Thursday Tree Zoom!
Thu, Oct 15, 9:00am - 10:00am
Virtual Room - West Oaks
A one-on-one session that will permit you to speak to our Genealogist Lisa and work on your family tree. Wherever you are, West Oaks Library will be there for you!
This event is full
Online: Theatre 101
Thu, Oct 15, 10:00am - 12:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Learn basic theater terminology, types of theaters and the roles each person plays in productions in this introductory theater class. This class is taught by Melrose Performing Arts instructors.
Thursday Tree Zoom!
Thu, Oct 15, 10:05am - 11:05am
Virtual Room - West Oaks
A one-on-one session that will permit you to speak to our Genealogist Lisa and work on your family tree. Wherever you are, West Oaks Library will be there for you!
This event is full
Hand Sewing Sashiko Patterns: Spiderweb Cat - Confident Beginner Level
Thu, Oct 15, 10:15am - 11:15am
Online Fiber Arts Classroom
Learn to stitch using Sashiko hand sewing techniques. This Japanese hand sewing technique uses the simple running stitch to form geometric patterns.
This event is full
Online: Open Lab - Pronunciator - Guided Practice Lab for Spanish Learners
Thu, Oct 15, 10:15am - 11:15am
Online Technology Classroom 2
Ready to Boost Your Spanish Vocabulary? Join us for an interactive Spanish Vocabulary Lab where learning is hands-on, fun, and tailored to your pace!
Thursday Tree Zoom
Thu, Oct 15, 11:10am - 12:10pm
Virtual Room - West Oaks
A one-on-one session that will permit you to speak to our Genealogist Lisa and work on your family tree. Wherever you are, West Oaks Library will be there for you!
This event is full
Virtual: Basic English 2
Thu, Oct 15, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
This class is designed for students with a high-beginner to intermediate level of English. Continue to practice basic vocabulary and grammar. Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Online: Adobe Premiere Level 1
Thu, Oct 15, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
Start creating top-notch digital video productions. This is an introduction to the basics of editing video footage.
Virtual: English Conversation Hour
Thu, Oct 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
Join us to practice your English speaking skills with us on a virtual English Conversation Hour. Each session will have specific topics for discussion. Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Online: Audio Studio Orientation
Thu, Oct 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Take the first step towards audio recording. Tour the Audio Studio and explore the training options available. Learn the studio workflow, procedures and best practices.
Please contact the library to register for this event.
Online: Open Lab - Pronunciator - Guided Practice Lab for Spanish Learners with Ms. Brenda
Thu, Oct 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Online Technology Classroom 1
Let's learn and use Pronunciator to learn Spanish vocabulary by topic.
Online: Adobe Premiere Level 2
Thu, Oct 15, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 3
Discover a fast way to assemble a video edit by cutting to music. This class explores the creative aspect of motion picture editing by importing audio & photographs, setting sequence markers, & more!
Online: Create a 3D Video Game Character - Blender Essentials 10 Parts Class Series
Thu, Oct 15, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Join this 10-part class series and learn how to model, texture, rig, and animate a character for a video game.
Online: Introduction to Blender for 3D Printing
Thu, Oct 15, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 1
An introductory course to Blender open source 3D creation software and how to use it for 3D Printing in the Makerspace.
Virtual: Search & Apply for Jobs - Job Seekers Series
Thu, Oct 15, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Learn about best practices for finding and applying for jobs in today’s job market. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Virtual: Writing Clearly Beginner
Thu, Oct 15, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
Join us for a virtual meeting using ZOOM where we will focus on the parts of speech, the organization of sentences, and vocabulary building. Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Sketching 101
Fri, Oct 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Virtual Room - EPD
Learn the basics of sketching through use of simple art techniques and observing the world around you. Materials: All you need is a #2 pencil, colored pencils, paper, and paper towel.
Online Class: Microsoft Excel - Charts
Fri, Oct 16, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Display your data in stunning charts and graphs. Insert recommended and custom charts. Edit chart data, elements and styles.
Online Class: Microsoft OneNote Fundamentals
Fri, Oct 16, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Boost your productivity with Microsoft's powerful note-taking app. Learn how to organize your pages, revise your notes and collaborate with your team.
Online: Create a 3D Video Game Character - Blender Essentials 10 Parts Class Series
Fri, Oct 16, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Virtual Melrose Classroom 2
Join this 10-part class series and learn how to model, texture, rig, and animate a character for a video game.
Basic English 2
Sat, Oct 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Virtual ESL Room 2
This class is designed for students with a high-beginner to intermediate level of English. Continue to practice basic vocabulary and grammar. Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Online Class: Microsoft Word Level 3 - Enhancing & Finalizing Documents
Sat, Oct 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Enhance your document by adding elements like shapes, SmartArt, headers, and more. Secure your document with password protection. Work with distribution options like printing and sharing.
English Conversation Hour
Sat, Oct 17, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Virtual ESL Room 2
A series of workshops in which students can practice their English speaking and listening skills. Recommended for those 18 years and older.
Cancelled
Salem Roots: Tracing Lives From Accused to Ancestors
Sat, Oct 17, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Explore the Salem Witch Trials through genealogy and history. Trace the lives of the accused, survivors, judges, and families—and discover how this dark chapter shaped generations.
Online Class: Adobe Photoshop - Smoke & Fire Text Effects
Sat, Oct 17, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Make simple text appear sensational! Learn to use filters, adjustment layers and brush tools to create text the appears to be on fire or a cloud of smoke.
Online Class: QuickBooks Level 1 - Introduction to QBO Environment
Sat, Oct 17, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Online Technology Classroom - TEC
Learn the basic features and explore the environment of QuickBooks Online. Get started in efficiently organizing your business finances.
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