Since it opened in February 2014, the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation and Creativity has allowed OCLS to significantly expand its role as a provider of technology education. Occupying 26,000 square feet on the second floor of the Orlando Public Library, the Melrose Center allows users to gain the understanding required to be a contributor to and consumer of emerging technologies.

Signing up to use the Melrose Center is easy—library patrons can become members by completing a short orientation, opening the door to a number of creative possibilities. The Melrose Center offers state of the art audio, video and photo studios, fabrication and simulation labs, an interactive media wall, editing bays, sound booths, collaborative work spaces and the means to pursue virtual reality and video game development. Over 9,000 OCLS patrons have become Melrose Members by taking the Center’s general orientation. Last year, Melrose instructors taught nearly 4,500 classes, guiding patrons toward self-sufficiency with an array of equipment and software.  During that same period, Melrose Members reserved over 2,200 sessions in studios, editing bays and sound booths.

The Melrose Center is also about collaboration and community. It is a monthly meetup venue for numerous groups with interests including robotics, podcasts, web development and game design.  Additionally, staff have created monthly meetup groups pertaining to specific areas of the Melrose Center, with combined group membership over 3,700.  Regularly scheduled events such as Open Mic: The Voice of Melrose, Script Orlando, and Melrose in the Mix: Live Recording Sessions further define the Center as a venue for emerging and established performers as well as inspirational and informative speakers from the community.

The Melrose Creative Expo provides the perfect opportunity to explore the Melrose Center as we look ahead to Year Five of its existence.  Come help celebrate the best projects created in the Center, tour the studios, learn about our classes and connect with other people sharing common interests in the community.