Orlando Public Library
Dublin Core
Title
Orlando Public Library
Alternative Title
Orlando Public Library
Subject
Orlando (Fla)
Libraries--Florida
Description
The Orlando Public Library, located at 101 East Central Boulevard in Downtown Orlando, Florida. Before there was a public library in Orlando, the local Sorosis Club ran a circulating library for the city. After years of running the library out of homes and clubhouses, the Sorosis Club joined the Board of Education in an effort to organize an official public library. In 1919, the Mayor of Orlando, Eugene Goodman Duckworth (1875-1959), secured the corner of Central Avenue and Rosalind Avenue as the site for the new library. A $73,983 contract was drafted and Murry S. King (1870-1925) was hired as the architect. On December 28, 1922, the cornerstone was laid and, on November 8, 1923, the Albertson Public Library opened with 20,000 books, which included the Sorosis Club's collection, as well as 12,000 books from Captain Charles L. Albertson, a retired police inspector from New York for whom the library was named.
Near the end of 1963, plans for a new library were being made. The Albertson Public Library, along with two branches, were to be demolished in order to make room for the new building. In the meantime, a temporary location at 905 North Orange Avenue was used as the library headquarters. On August 7, 1966, the Orlando Public Library opened. Although the name of the library changed, Albertson is still commemorated in the new library for his generous donation with a plaque at the entrance of the building, and the genealogy and local history section of the library is named after him. Less than 10 years later, in 1974, officials began to consider expansion of the library. In 1978, the Orlando City Counsel allocated the block of land to the west of the building for expansion. Architect Duane Stark was given the expansion task, as well as renovating the existing building. The current 290,000 square foot building opened on April 6, 1986.
Near the end of 1963, plans for a new library were being made. The Albertson Public Library, along with two branches, were to be demolished in order to make room for the new building. In the meantime, a temporary location at 905 North Orange Avenue was used as the library headquarters. On August 7, 1966, the Orlando Public Library opened. Although the name of the library changed, Albertson is still commemorated in the new library for his generous donation with a plaque at the entrance of the building, and the genealogy and local history section of the library is named after him. Less than 10 years later, in 1974, officials began to consider expansion of the library. In 1978, the Orlando City Counsel allocated the block of land to the west of the building for expansion. Architect Duane Stark was given the expansion task, as well as renovating the existing building. The current 290,000 square foot building opened on April 6, 1986.
Source
Original black and white photograph: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando Public Library, Orlando, Florida.
Date Created
ca. 1956-2014
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph.
Is Part Of
Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Orlando Public Library, Orlando, Florida.
Orlando Public Library Collection, Orlando Remembered Collection, Orlando Collection, Orange County Collection. RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
182 KB
Medium
1 black and white photograph
Language
eng
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Orlando Public Library, Downtown Orlando, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Geography Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by the Orange County Regional History Center and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Curator
Williams, Rachel
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
Source Repository
Orlando Remembered
External Reference
Bacon, Eve. Orlando: A Centennial History. Chuluota, Fla: Mickler House, 1975.
Orlando Public Library. The Orlando Public Library, November 1923- November 1973, Orlando, Fla. [Orlando]: 1973.
"Orlando's First Library." Orange County Library System. http://www.ocls.info/About/History/default.asp.
Rajtar, Steve. A Guide to Historic Orlando. Charleston, SC: History Press, 2006.
Transcript
Miss Clara[?] Elizabeth Wendel[?]
served as librarian until 1970.
The new library, considered
one of the finest in the
nation, was completed
in two stages:
served as librarian until 1970.
The new library, considered
one of the finest in the
nation, was completed
in two stages:
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 black and white photograph
Collection
Citation
“Orlando Public Library,” RICHES, accessed April 26, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/4106.