Exploring Orlando Public Library’s Disney Collection
A Librarian's Guide to One of the Most Magical Collections in Florida
Attention all library lovers!
Welcome to the first post in my new series exploring Disney libraries, both real and fictional! Inspired by the podcast episode I recently guested on for Synergy Loves Company, I’m excited to start deep-diving into the many libraries that are connected to the world of Disney.
First up, I want to highlight a public library that many readers might not even realize has a Disney collection, though once you know, it feels almost obvious they would have one! During my recent trip to Florida, I made time to visit the Orlando Public Library, having just discovered that they house a special Disney Collection. While their website offers a brief description of its contents, I knew in order to truly get a sense of the items in their collection, I would have to see it for myself.
Orlando Public Library
Orlando Public Library is located right in the heart of downtown Orlando and is part of the Orange County Library System. It’s a large building that’s easy to spot once you are downtown.
If you’re planning a visit, there’s a parking garage conveniently located right across the street, making it easy to stop in even in the busy downtown area.
The Disney Collection can be found on the library’s fourth floor. This is the floor where the library’s Special Collections are located.
The Disney Collection
While visiting, I spoke with a librarian who shared that the Orlando Public Library first started building their Disney collection back in the 1960s, once it was announced that Walt Disney World would be coming to Florida. Along with the materials they collected themselves, the library also received a large holding of printed ephemera from the archivist at Disney.
Today, the Disney Collection is made up of a wide variety of resources, including books, photographs, press clippings, internal newsletters, and more! For the numbers people out there: the collection contains over 200 books, 75 periodicals, and hundreds of pieces of memorabilia. Books are organized on shelving, while unbound items are stored in rows of filing cabinets.
Books
The books in this collection include a mix of both fiction and nonfiction titles. On the nonfiction side, you’ll find books about animation, films, travel guides, (auto)biographies, just to name a few. In addition to published books, there are also bound documents from the Disney Company on these shelves. For example, there are binders containing EPCOT’s Building Codes that are accessible.
Due to the nature of some of these materials, most cannot be checked out and must remain on property. However, the library does offer circulating copies for many of their popular book titles.
Vertical Files
The vertical files in the Disney Collection contain unbound items. Here’s a description pulled directly from the library’s website, outlining what you’ll find inside:
WDW Clippings (1971-2015): These clippings make up the bulk of the Disney Collection and include articles published by major news sources, internal Disney documents, and various other Ephemera about the parks.
WDW Eyes & Ears (1973-2015): Eyes and Ears is the internal newsletter for Walt Disney World's cast members (a.ka. employees).
Disney News (1973-1900): The Magic Kingdom Club members magazine .
Disneyland Line (1971-2015): Disneyland cast member newsletter has content similar to Eyes & Ears about the west coast parks.
How to Navigate the Collection
If you want to search what books are a part of the Disney Collection, you can easily do so through their online catalogue.
However, if you're looking to browse the vertical file holdings, you’ll need to do that in person. Once you're on-site, you can search the vertical files either by flipping through a binder or by using their designated desktop computer. If you're looking for something specific, I suggest using the desktop as it’s much easier to search through their document listing the file holdings by using the good ol’ CONTROL + F function.
The vertical file holdings are organized into three sections: periodicals, clippings, and general files.
Documents are listed in an organized chart, which shows you the name of the folder, along with a brief description of the folder’s contents. Each listing also includes the Cabinet and Key information you’ll need to access it.
As you search for items, there’s a sheet you can fill out to keep track of what you want to see. As you find items you would like a closer look at, make sure to fill in the necessary information, including where each item is located.
When you are ready to access materials, you can take your completed sheet over to the desk. A staff member will then grab the corresponding keys and will open the filing cabinets for you, so you can find the documents you need.
Inside the filing cabinets, you’ll find files labelled with the same titles you would have seen listed in the binder or the desktop document. Flip through the files until you find the folder you’re looking for. Once you locate it, you can then pull the folder out and go through the loose items inside. There’s a table right beside the filing cabinets where you can spread everything out to take a closer look.
Collection Highlights
Huge shoutout to librarian Jane Tracy for taking time out of her day to walk me through the collection and highlight some incredible pieces of Disney history along the way!
Jane shared some fascinating items with me, including a copy of the Economic Impact Report prepared for Walt Disney Productions back when they were first assessing Florida as a possible location for Walt Disney World. She also showed me press clippings that have been compiled over the years.
There’s never quite enough time when a librarian is searching within a library. Even though I spent a good chunk of time at the Orlando Public Library, it still didn’t feel like enough. There are so many gems within this collection and it’s not one I had ever heard anyone talk about before! I’m so glad I stumbled across it online and made the trip to come see it in person.
If you’re a Disney fan, a library lover, or a history nerd (or maybe all three like me), this is a collection you definitely don’t want to miss!
Stay tuned for more Disney library adventures coming soon!
Amanda,
Your description of the Disney collection at OPL is fascinating! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Nancy