Through a generous gift from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation, the Orange County Library System created the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation and Creativity. Named for Mr. Melrose’s mother who had a strong interest in emerging technologies, the Melrose Center opened in 2014 and is located in 26,000 square feet of space on the Orlando Public Library’s second floor.
The Melrose Center expands the role of the library as providers of informal learning and technology education. Instructors offer practical training relevant to the spaces, equipment and software available in the Center, allowing community members to be both contributors to and consumers of emerging technologies. The Center offers an array of resources to inspire and support creativity and innovation, as well as substantial educational opportunities to make the most of those resources.
Key Melrose Services Include:
Video Production Studio: Services dedicated to the creation, production and editing of video.
Audio Production Studio: Services dedicated to the creation, production and editing of sound recording and mixing.
Photography Studio: Services dedicated to the creation, production and editing of digital images.
Makerspace: Services dedicated to use of makerspace resources and basic electronics/engineering instruction.
Simulation: Services dedicated to the use of flight and driving simulators.
Game Development Lab: Services dedicated to the use of virtual reality and game design resources.
LED Wall: A seamless 165” LED wall for collaboration or presentations.
Conference Room: A meeting space that accommodates groups up to 30, with views of Heritage Square Park.
Rehearsal Space: Available for groups of up to 15 performers for the purpose of rehearsing performances and theatrical productions.
Sound Booths: Record podcasts and voice overs in individual sound booths.
Classes, Workshops, Meetups: Our instructors are subject matter experts.
The role of the Melrose Center is not to compete with professional and/or formal education in the area. We serve the community by providing enthusiasts an opportunity for hands-on exploration, experimentation and experience. Whenever possible, we focus on the use of open source resources, so that our customers have the opportunity to replicate and practice.
