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Milwaukee Public Library
Category: Public Services & Government Libraries Libraries [Edit]
814 W Wisconsin AveMilwaukee, WI 53233
Neighborhoods: Westown, Downtown
(414) 286-3000
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
8 reviews for Milwaukee Public Library
8 reviews in English
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Review from James B.
Riverwest, Milwaukee, WI
11/30/2011
Love this place, an under-utilized gem in the middle of the city.
I discovered this library shortly after moving to Milwaukee and am still amazed at how many Milwaukee denziens never or very rarely venture downtown to go here.
They have the best selection of books anywhere, remember that what you see is only a small fraction of what they have. Most of their books are stored in the cavernous storage tiers in the basement and can only be retrieved by librarians. It sucks sometimes, 'cause I like to browse, but I understand there is a limit to what you can display on shelves.
That said, Countycat is a great resource (I think they even have an iPhone app) that you can use to find the location of whatever you're looking for.
Also, the building is just stunningly gorgeous. The beaux-arts exterior is magnificent and full of detail and the interior dome is just stupidly over-the-top awesome. They even have a pretty decent collection of art upstairs.
One of my favorite places in the city, hands down.
Would have been four stars until recently because of the lack of self-check-out machines that every other library had for years.
But they have 'em now.
Awesome. -
Review from Sadie T.
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Big library, beautiful building, lots of choices. Decent librarians. Keep in mind that the central downtown location attracts lots of people who might otherwise be on the street, and some hooligans that talk on the phone.
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Review from John D.
Milwaukee, WI
7/18/2007 1 photo
This is the central library for the Milwaukee Public Library system. Housed in a building on the National Register of Historic Places that opened in 1898, this library offers a wide range of materials including books, periodicals, DVDs, tapes, special collections, other materials, and Internet-connected computers for patron use.
The building has been modernized and remodeled extensively, so you'll find a very clean, modern, and spacious library, yet it still retains its historic character. Highlights include the Central Library Betty Brinn Children's Room, Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room, Business and Technology Room, and Media Room.
There is a coffee shop and used bookseller just off the Wisconsin Avenue entrance to your right.Listed in: My Destinations, My Picks
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Review from Rich H.
11/6/2009 1 Check-in Here
Central always has what I'm looking for and if they don't, they can get it within a week. The staff is courteous and knowledgeable. If you're looking for a recommendation, they're always willing to help.
The library is especially important in times like these as it provides the public with a free means of entertainment and a way to learn more about the world as a whole. Reading ROCKS! -
Review from Dave S.
Milwaukee, WI
12/17/2007
I am a regular at the Downtown central library, although I do use the neighborhood branches from time to time.
Whatever you want to read, they've got it. I usually find out about good books to read from the New York Times Book Review or http://amazon.com, but I'm not made of money, so I'm not looking to buy all the books I want to read. So I check MPL, and literally without fail they have the book I want. It's a great library system. Requesting or holding books is uber-convenient thanks to their online catalog.
Three cheers for the Milwaukee Public Library! The central library downtown is a beautiful century-old Beux Arts building, with an impressive rotunda rivaling some state capitol buildings I've seen. They've got a wonderful children's room, great media selection, and warm, comfortable environment to lounge around and read. Perfect for those long, cold Milwaukee winters! -
Review from Bruce S.
Novi, MI
8/15/2007
one of the best library systems I have ever had the pleasure of using.
5 stars! -
Review from Shaun B.
Milwaukee, WI
1/14/2009
This has to be the most impressive library I've ever been to. The architecture is gorgeous, and there's a bigger and more varied collection of books than one could ever read in a lifetime.
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Review from Susan L.
3/27/2010
I can't comment on the collection or the staff, since I don't live in Milwaukee and I only went there briefly to see the entrance area - but the architecture in the entrance is GORGEOUS! The exterior of the building is beautiful, but that entrance area is absolutely stunning!
