history
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From the Director, February 2023
On January 7, we kicked off Orange County Library System’s 100 Year Celebration at Orlando Public Library with a host of special guests. We were lucky enough to have Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, State Rep. Anna Eskamani and County Commissioner Nicole Wilson join us…
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The History of Orange County Library System: Eddie T. Jackson and the Booker T. Washington Library
The Albertson Public Library opened its doors in November 1923, but until the mid-1960s, those doors were closed to members of the Black community because of segregation. In her first Librarian’s Report, Olive Brumbaugh noted that Black residents “were entitled to library privileges yet could not use the Albertson [Public Library], so the Booker T.…
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From the Director, January 2023
In 1923, the city of Orlando was less than 100 years old. Founded in the 1840s as a town called Jernigan, the city had nearly doubled in size by the 1920s, and a building boom was underway. The Angebilt Hotel, which is still located on Orange Avenue, opened to the public in 1923. The Orlando…
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The History of Orange County Library System: Proud Past, Bright Future
One hundred years ago, there was no permanent library in Orlando. The only library that existed was a small circulating collection of books owned and loaned by the Sorosis of Orlando Woman’s Club, a philanthropic women’s organization that still supports education and local charities to this day. Recognizing the demand for a real public library…
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Women’s History Month: Knitting Espionage – Grandma’s Knitting a Scarf. Or is She?
Women’s contributions to the great wars of the 20th century stretch beyond keeping happy on the home front, nursing and factory work. Women of all ages knitted to facilitate espionage efforts, both on the home front and the front lines. Knitting is essentially made-up variations on two stitches, knit stitches that resemble the letter V…
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Zora Neale Hurston: The Storyteller and Her Town – Q&A with Author Rae Chesny
Award-winning social expert and author Rae Chesny will be joining us at Eatonville Branch to host a three-day event series called Zora Neale Hurston: The Storyteller and Her Town. Library staff have also partnered with Eatonville Chamber of Commerce and ZORA! Festival as part of the project. This program has been funded by the Community…
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Our History Speaks Volumes: COVID-19
The most important events in Orange County Library System history are often those that dramatically improve or expand library service: November 11, 1921 – Captain Charles Albertson donates his personal library to the city of Orlando. November 8, 1923 – Albertson Public Library, the first public library in Orange County, opens. August 7, 1966 –…
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From the Director, November 2021
It was this month 100 years ago that the first seeds of Orange County Library System were planted. A retired police inspector from Waverly, New York named Captain Charles Albertson, who spent his winters in Orlando, recognized that the city lacked a proper public library. Over the years, he had amassed a collection of 12,000…
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Our History Speaks Volumes: What Happened to What Happened To Forrester?
It’s a dark and stormy night and you’re but days away from finishing your library book. But, what’s this? Something stirs on the check-out receipt you’ve creased into a bookmark: It’s the dreaded due date! You watched helplessly for weeks as the date crept slowly, but inevitably towards you. Callously devouring your renewals until all…
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Our History Speaks Volumes: West Oaks Branch and Genealogy Center
On August 8, 2001, West Oaks Branch opened its doors for the very first time. Twenty years later, the branch continues to provide integral library services to the residents of Ocoee and Western Orange County. West Oaks Branch began as one of several library branch locations that opened in the early 2000s, under Orange County…
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