Coming from either direction on I4, the downtown Orlando skyline is a picture perfect scene. The SunTrust building peaks over the road while the Amway Center sits snuggly beside the downtown exit. Also directly off this exit is the downtown Orlando branch of the Orange County Library. While libraries aren't always the biggest tourist destination of a city, this one is unlike any regular library.
Located off E. Central Blvd, this public library mixes traditional with new age technology and offers the city endless opportunities. Inside this library is the true gem of Central Orlando. Not to mention, the number of books is endless.
Sitting on the second floor, the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation and Creativity offers an open creative space for anyone with a library card. The 26,000 square ft. space was donated by the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation to stimulate creativity and give back to the community.
The Melrose technology services include a video studio with floor-to-ceiling green screens, kino-flo lights and microphones to make movie masterpieces. There is editing, sound booth and control room equipment in the audio studio as well as two independent sound booth studios. The photography studio includes lights and editing tools for any and all types of pictures.
The Fab Lab is a large classroom with specific classes to master topics like basic programming, engineering and 3D printing. Here you will also find two 3D printers to make ideas from paper come to life. The technology center is also home to a flight and driving simulator for library goers looking for more practice in those areas. After a short orientation class and test concentrated in your area of interest, all of these creative tools are yours to explore.
The best part about all of the equipment offered to the creative public of Orlando is the price- free. It's the best place to spend a rainy afternoon; you can go for hours, sifting through the books deciding what you want to read.
All you have to do is have a library card. As long as you're a resident of Orange County just show up to any branch with a proof a residence, such as a license. Then you will need to fill out some paper work and you are good to go.
The Melrose Center is a perfect place for the creative of the City Beautiful to flourish. It is an awesome gift given to this city that should be fully utilized. Libraries can be intimidating and have a reputation of being boring but the Melrose Center will most definitely change your mind. Bring a friend or two and check out this true hidden treasure of Orlando.
