Orlando Public Library Archives

Organizations

The Osceola County Library began in 1914 when a group of Kissimmee ladies donated $52 each to fund a library. Using their donations along with additional funds collected from other citizens, the Hart Memorial Public Library was built. For over twenty ... Read more

Events

Library Calendars 1970s-1990s

Monthly calendars distributed with the Friends of the Library Newsletter provided information on events at the Orlando Public Library and branch locations in Orange and Osceola counties. The Calendar varied in paper size and color and font type and si ... Read more

People

Oral History Interview with Interior Designer Mandy Wannen, President of Kaleidoscope Interior Design

Photo by OCLS Photographer Amanda Murphy I was doing a lot of projects, schools for the Department of Defense. And so, I helped design five schools in Germany ... Read more

Topics

Memories of OCLS

In celebration of the 100th Year Anniversary of the Orange County Library System, patrons have been encouraged to share their personal memories of visiting the library. To add your own memory, you can contact us, or you can download the form and bring it ... Read more

Events

Sorosis Club of Orlando Presents at Orlando Remembered, September 2022

Photo by Juan Rivera The Sorosis Club ... Read more

Places

OPL Expansion Plans and Construction Photos 1982-1985

ABOVE: April 20, 1983, looking Northeast with the 1966 OPL in the top right corner. Expansion of the 60,000 square foot 1966 Orlando Public Library was planned even before it opened on August 7, 1966, however, the people of Orlando probably didn't think i ... Read more

People

Dorothy Field - Library Director 1995-2001

Dorothy W. Field – Library Director 1995-2001 Olive Brumbaugh was the first director of the Albertson Public Library, serving from 1923-1943, followed by Clara Wendel who served as director of the Albertson then the Orlando Public Library from 1943 ... Read more

Events

Booktoberfest 2018

Booktoberfest 2018 The following pictures are from the Booktoberfest event in 2018 at the Orlando Public Library. Featured in these photos are (L-R) Josh Shidel, Aiden Mitchell, Lynette Schimpf, Lauren Mathur. ... Read more

Places

Orlando Public Library Expansion 1982-1986

OPL Expansion from 60,000 to 290,000 square feet! From APL to OPL The Orlando Public Library was dedicated on Sunday, August 7, 1966, replacing the old Albertson Public Library which opened to the public on November 8, 1923. Compared to the old library, t ... Read more

Events

Pull for the library! - 1980 Campaign for Library Expansion

1980 Campaign for Library Expansion Pull for the Library! After expecting a library expansion millage referendum to be on the ballot "any time now" since 1976, the measure was finally put before voters in the Orange County, Florida, district served by the ... Read more

Events

Orlando Public Library Dedication 1966

From APL to OPL After decades of waiting, construction of the new Albertson Public Library began in October 1964. In May 1965, it was decided that the name of the new library would be the Orlando Public Library. Read a memo to staff regarding the library' ... Read more

Organizations

Annual Reports - From Albertson Public Library to OCLS - 1923 to 1979

Above: Cover of the 1960-1961 Annual Report with an actual library card attached. Annual Reports The annual reports for the Albertson Public Library run the gamut from simple small reports produced in the 1930s during the financial crisis, to more elabora ... Read more