Maitland Public Library’s Learning & Cultural Center (LCC) opened in October 2011, as a result of a generous gift from the Judy Schmidt family. The purpose of the LCC is to enhance the services of the Maitland Public Library by offering engaging, informative, and stimulating learning experiences. State of the art audio/video presentations and technology are featured in many of the LCC’s classes, workshops, and seminars.
The LCC provides the umbrella for all interactive experiences for adults at the Library, including author talks, a reading festival, and presentations on special topics.
Diverse subjects and fields, including literature, history, science, mathematics, economics, and the arts, make up a wealth of enjoyable learning experiences. Practical issues are also addressed with seminars featuring subjects as personal finance, nutrition, and personal health.
Workshops on poetry and writing, Cultural Cooks, and Healthy Maitland represent the variety of learning experiences the LCC offers to residents:
Book Clubs: The Library has three regular book clubs for adults. Join us for one or all of these monthly discussions.
- Books to Die For: This club focuses on mysteries and meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
- Contemporary Authors: Come for a late lunch hour and discuss some of the newest titles. Contemporary Authors meets on the fourth Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
- Share-a-Title: Our most unique book club! Readers read anything they want, then meet to discuss their choices. This club meets on the second Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m.
Cultural Cooks: Everyone loves to try to new foods and learn about different countries. In the past, we have held series of workshops so that area cooks have the opportunity show off their cooking and expertise of a particular country. The areas we have visited include Cuba, India, Vietnam, Italy, Venezuela, the Caribbean, Cameroon, Liberia, and the American South.
Healthy Maitland: This series has been developed to encourage better health and nutrition by introducing new ways of eating healthfully, such as vegetarian or gluten free; the Library also has previously sponsored very popular Healthy Chefs series, featuring local restaurant owners and chefs demonstrating healthy recipes, ingredients, and techniques. Working with Healthy Maitland, the Library sponsors a measured morning walk every Thursday. The paths are available to walkers any time and have been mapped and measured; click here for the map.
Writing and Poetry: The Library offers regular writing workshops for poets and writers, five per quarter, and allows local poets to present their work at a quarterly “Coffeehouse Night.” The Library also hosts the Maitland Writers’ Group and the Orlando Chapter of the Florida State Poets’ Association, both of which offer support to local poets and other writers.
Special Events: The Library regularly hosts a wide variety of limited-run classes and events, including diverse educational seminars and workshops, craft classes, and even movie nights!