Albertson Public Library Archives

Events

Sorosis Club of Orlando Presents at Orlando Remembered, September 2022

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

Topics

Orlando History Through Postcards More than just being something nice to send a friend or a relative while on a trip, these postcards show Orlando through the years and offer a glimpse at what the City Beautiful looked like to tourists through the years. ... Read more

Uncategorized

Children's Department Scrapbook 1924-1930

Above: Santa, children and his two polar bears, Christmas Story Hour, December 24, 1927. Children's Story Hour Scrapbook 1924-1930 An over 90-year old scrapbook that bears the scars from years of handling, no air conditioning, and ceiling leaks, documen ... 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, ... Read more

People

Olive Brumbaugh - Orlando's Librarian 1923-1943

The Duties of the Head Librarian The duties of the “librarian” enumerated in Article IX of the library’s Articles of Incorporation (pp. 3-4) indicate that, in addition to serving as a librarian, the person hired as head librarian oversaw all depar ... Read more

Events

Albertson Library Staff Party - December 1963

Former staff at the Albertson Public Library were invited to a staff Christmas party on December 14, 1963. The date is significant because in September 1964, the Albertson library was demolished to make way for the new Orlando Public Library. Staff create ... Read more

Places

Albertson Public Library Blueprints

On February 21, 1922, the city of Orlando held a bond election for funds to build a public library and other municipal improvements. The vote was 155 against and 446 in favor! PLANS APPROVED - BIDS SOUGHT The May 13, 1922, Orlando Morning Sentinel annou ... Read more

Organizations

Library Scrapbook - January 1945 to January 1949

Library Scrapbook - January 1945 to January 1949 A fragile scrapbook with treasures from January 1945 to January 1949 was recently found and scanned to preserve its contents. Newspaper clippings, flyers, brochures, and photographs paint a vivid picture o ... 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 elabo ... Read more

Organizations

Albertson Public Library - Books and More

ABOVE: "A Woman's War Record" donated by Captain Charles Albertson. When the Albertson Public Library opened to the public in November 1923, most of the books in the collection were gifts from individuals and organizations. A number of books were also ... Read more

Organizations

Albertson Public Library - Financial Crisis

Financial Crisis Correspondence, financial statements, newspaper clippings and annual reports indicate that the library encountered financial difficulties after the stock market crash in October 1929. In a letter dated June 5, 1929, Librarian Olive Br ... Read more

Organizations

Albertson Public Library - In the beginning 1921-1931

ABOVE: Postcard of the Albertson Public Library at 165 East Central Avenue at the corner of Central and Rosalind. Offer Made and Agreement Signed On November 10, 1921, Captain Charles L. Albertson, a winter resident of Orlando and a retired Police Insp ... Read more