W.T. Bland Public Library

The Mount Dora Archives is a collaboration of the City of Mount Dora, the Mount Dora Historical Society and the Mount Dora Library Association. Launched in 2018, it is a digital repository of historical images, family histories and ephemera of Mount Dora and can be accessed at http://www.mountdoraarchives.com/

The Children’s Library underwent a complete renovation in 2019, including an updated collection, new low profile shelving, a multi-top activity table, an electronic Wonder Wall, a fully furbished Nature Lab and modular furniture that invites children and their grown-ups to read and explore. This project was wholly funded by the Mount Dora Community Trust, the Friends of the Library and the Mount Dora Library Association.

The Nunan Butterfly Garden is adjacent to the Library and is home to many Library programs, such as the weekly Story Birds story time, Annual Butterfly Release, Plant Swap, Poetry in the Garden, Halloween Costume Party, Christmas Tree Lighting Program and more. The finished garden was presented to the City of Mount Dora by the Mount Dora Library Association in 2017.

The W.T. Bland Public Library is committed to technology education and offers 13 free monthly hands-on classes designed to give adult students confidence and know-how. Most of these classes are taught by the Library’s front-line staff, who are also available for ‘on-demand’ tech help for everything from tablets, cellphones and laptops to software, remote access and connectivity.

The W.T. Bland Public Library is a proud partner of the ‘1000 Books Before Kindergarten’ program, which strives to introduce one million words to children before they enter kindergarten. Studies have shown that reading five books a day to children exposes them to about 1.4 million more words by kindergarten than those children who did not have books read to them. The Library’s program encourages all parents and caregivers to read to their children and offers free books as each reading milestone is met, thanks to the Friends of the Library and other sponsors.

The W.T. Bland Public Library offers a free 5-week Citizenship Class for those who are ready to apply for citizenship. Volunteers who have been through the citizenship process themselves guide new students through studying for the civics test, practicing writing and reading in English and preparation for the final interview.

The W.T. Bland Public Library is committed to lifelong learning, whether that means enjoying museum-grade dinosaur reproductions and the evolving science behind their changing appearances, to Space Labs, gardening workshops, genealogy forums and planetary observations.

Numerous writing groups call the W.T. Bland Public Library home, including the Bland Writers, whose monthly meetings are open to all. Monthly writing programs feature workshops on editing, writing nonfiction, how to secure an agent and how to evaluate self-publishing options.

The W.T. Bland Public Library remains committed to lifelong learning and welcomes exhibits that help all ages explore the universe around us, including this replica of the HMS Victory, which was donated to the Library by retired Mount Dora Police Department Officer Michael Coffman in 2015.

The Disassembly Project is one of the W.T. Bland Public Library’s most popular programs. Old equipment is taken apart by patrons of all ages, led by retired engineer volunteers. Participants learn how electronics work by taking them apart and then competing in a friendly tech trivia contest afterwards.

Over 100 adult volunteers contribute their time and talents to the W.T. Bland Public Library, performing everything from shelving, gardening and hospitality to running the used book store, teaching genealogy and helping with children’s programs.

The W.T. Bland Public Library is committed to offering a relevant, contemporary, popular and patron-drive collection. The busy Library circulates approximately 100 items per hour and is a member of the Lake County Library System.