The opportunity to develop the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation and Creativity came at a time that we and many other public libraries are exploring new roles and services. As our technology classes and resources were increasing in popularity and demand we recognized the opportunity to spread that reach beyond PC's and pivot tables. Nationally the resurgence of "craft" and other creative economies provides libraries an opportunity to provide more than a stack of DVDs and books on how to build your better mousetrap. We can invite you in to participate in a community where you can build that mousetrap. We can provide hands on experience, access to resources that may not be attainable to an individual and access to expertise. According to an April 12, 2014 article in the Orlando Business Journal. Orlando is home to an estimated $9 billion dollar technology industry. The City of Orlando has announced a new Digital Main Street program and development is underway for a new Creative Village project less than 2 miles from the Main Library. We viewed the Melrose Center as an opportunity to grow directly in concert with the community, driving toward the same goal and becoming an essential part of that forward direction.

The Melrose Center was developed to serve small businesses, entrepreneurs, students of all ages, the creative and the curious. Primary services are:

Audio Studio- Control room with a ProTools HD system and a C/24 control surface and 706 sq ft of performance space. For solo performance or podcasting there are two Whisper Room isolation booths.

Video Studio- Shoot special effects against our green screen with a Canon HD camera and our Pan Tilt Zoom cameras including live streaming capability.

Simulators- Develop skills in driving, flight or construction (excavation and forklift) using one of our simulators.

Photography Studio- Access a variety of backgrounds and lighting options including a lightbox for product shots. Use your own camera or our Canon T5i Digital SLR camera.

Digital Media Wall-Interact with lively digital displays and storyboard projects on a 12′ x 8′ display wall.

FabLab- Explore, innovate and create in hands-on classes on 3D printing, electronics, basic engineering, computer programming, and robotics. Prototype your design on a Maker Bot or CubeX 3D printer.

The Center provides seating for 50 in an area outfitted with collaborative work areas. A program area holds 100 visitors and we have a classroom for 20. Twelve computers (6 Mac and 6 Windows) are set up with the Adobe Creative Suite. Access to these services is free to Library District card holders, with limits on the number of sessions per day or week based on service. Out of District residents are charged a nominal fee. All visitors must first participate in a General Orientation. Post-orientation training classes are offered for all studios with staff assessments given to determine eligibility to book a studio.

More than just hardware and software, the Melrose Center is an opportunity for both the Library and our community. As libraries wrangle with relevance, the Center gives us a demonstrable service platform to market to a new community of users. The most significant outcome is the long sought after recognition of the Library as a "player". Only months into operation, the Center has raised the Library's profile as a contributor to the economic development of downtown. We have high profile organizations seek us out as a unique location for meetings and events. The local chapter of the national lecture series, Creative Mornings, independent game developer group, Indienomicon, and the City's revitalization task force are all using the Melrose Center as a key venue. We anticipate that these group meetings will generate return visits to the Center to take advantage of resources for business and personal interests. As a further draw to the creative community, we have established "Co-working afternoons". Once a month, we post a meet up for people working on their own to come to the Melrose Center and meet others in similar circumstances for socializing and networking. In a short time frame, 876 patrons have been through Orientation. Plans are underway for an anniversary celebration and competition to recognize projects ranging from videos to product prototypes, completed in the Melrose Center. It is our hope that this recognition will inspire others to exercise their own curiosity and creativity at this Center generously supported by Mr. Kendrick Melrose.