Milwaukee Public Library

My kids, boys: 8 & 4, LOVED this library. The children’s area is huge. There is a lighthouse the kids can climb up to the top of. There is a puppet show area. There is a train table. There is a Lego table. There are several areas to comfortably read. We went specifically for their current exhibit, but stayed for so much for. This was a fantastic little outing. Note: since this is downtown, parking can be hard to find, but just circle the block again, you’ll be fine.

So far, I must say this is one of the most beautiful libraries that I have ever visited (I need to visit the Library of Congress still).
I came back a second time during my vacation here, because I loved it so much. Besides the vast amount of books here, the Neo-​renaissance architecture of this library is spectacular and the size is enormous as it fills an entire block in length and width. The library has a nice collection of art displayed on the walls throughout the top floor of the library and offers a window into the past of this great city. One part of the library seemed to be closed off upstairs, which is behind the staircase. Maybe it is for genealogy, it appeared like this section of the library is from the early 1800’s. It was stunning.
The MPL also has a lovely children’s section that is cornered off by its self. My kids loved it. They have a lighthouse right inside the library for kids to enjoy. My kids were able to get on their computers that are full of educational games that teach reading, writing and help build their logical skills.
I definitely recommend this library. Now if only we had a library half as good as this in Atlanta.
[Review #308] (Sixty Eighth Review of 2015)

As many reviewers have already mentioned the beauty of this building (which is true!), I would like to dive right into the utility of this library.
As the central branch this location is likely not the closest location to most users homes, but is the closest to many workplaces downtown, including mine. I often walk over to grab a book at lunch or swing by on my way home after work. They have parking on the west side of the building that I’ve always found a spot to run in and a major plus, if you’re just picking up a reserved item you can list «Central Drive Up» and literally pick up your book/​CD/​DVD etc. at a drive through window on the east side of the building. How convenient!
Because they have such a large collection at this branch it is a good option if you don’t know what book you want to check out, lots of choices to browse. When you’ve made your selection, head up to the (antisocial) self check out machines. Fun fact, they offer tours of the building on Saturday afternoons.

This branch of the Library is one of the most beautiful building in the City. People have posted some great photos, and even then it does not do the architecture justice. When I have time to visit it’s great to just wander around a bit and check out the building.
But, sometimes I need a book and just don’t have time to find parking, feed a meter, hike to the self serve info desks, look up what I need and then try to recall the lecture we all received in third grade on how the Dewey Decimal System works.
So I often utilize one of the better kept secrets at this library, the drive-​thru.
What??? You ask. Yes, I said drive thru at the library.
Here’s how it works: Log on to the
website, login with your library card and search the entire catalog of all libraries in the system. Choose what you need and schedule pick up at the Central Branch Drive Thru. That’s it.
In a few days, and sometimes as little as 24 hours, you get a friendly automated email that your materials are ready to be picked up.
I can’t tell you how much time I’ve saved searching for materials, sometimes driving to another branch and then checking things out. I just wish I would have known about this much sooner!

This place is the most beautiful library I’ve been to. It’s a great addition to Milwaukee and it’s residents.
Recently, I was in the area and the girlfriend mentioned coming here. She’s been here dozens of times yet I was the newbie.
Walking into this place it looks like a museum with all the marble columns and the grand rotunda. After you stare in aww of all of this you walk through to the stairs where you can end up on multiple levels depending on what you’re looking for or quite levels that you need.
This place has computers, friendly staff, and eclectic mix of patrons that make it a truly great place to get your study on or check out more about mke or whatever you’re interested in.

I love this place for many reasons.
1. The building is amazing, I feel very fancy and smart just walking in.
2. The staff is awesome, helpful, amazing.
3. Book selection and availability
I am very disappointed the Unilocal is associated with ALEC.

I didn’t do too much exploring, but what I saw was no less than incredible. If you enjoy architecture, you could spend a good amount of time poking around without even glancing at the books.
Parking doesn’t seem to be a problem, and you can request books to make your visit short and sweet. They even have a drive-​through option! I love that lots of libraries around Milwaukee pool their resources to offer a bigger selection of media to patrons.

Newly remodeled Beaux Arts Building. Great facilities. Free wi fi and computers. Great views. A must on your visit. Great selection of magazines. Close to downtown. A hidden gem.

It is hard to call the main branch of the public library a «hidden gem» of Milwaukee, but I honestly feel that way. In the spring, summer, and fall I pass the library on my regular running route 3 – 4 times a week and always seem to take it for granted. I had not used my card since my first summer (’09) in Brew City, so I stopped in recently to renew and re-​acquaint myself with this fantastic building.
The staff are great — helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly (to a point — I imagine if I was loitering and not checking out books, studying, etc. they might have a slight issue). The collection is extensive and they are more than willing to find books not currently on their shelves, too. Parking on the weekend has been free the last month or so (despite the signs stating Saturday is metered parking) which is a nice touch. I often cannot get to the library during the week, so Saturday is my day to amble around the cavernous structure, looking for things I might not otherwise read.
I really enjoy the «recommended» tables on the first floor as you pass from circulation back into reference — tables seem to change often with different themes. They had small shelf with books covering politics; a recent visit brought a selection of holiday books and readings.
The computers are easy to use if you’re searching for something and know only part of the title or the author name, and the self-​service circulation line is a nice touch, even though I constantly forget my pin number.
The main library provides a nice escape and helps me not spent $ 1,000 on books a year — so I’m a fan!

Amazing! This library is wonderful. I notice at a few others that sound echos a lot in the cavernous spaces. Not so here. Whoever did the architecture was smart! It’s very hushed and beautiful. Their collection of rare books– I think my heart stopped a beat when I first walked in their archive.
Also, this library has it’s own drive through! My jaw dropped. I Love It! (And I can’t seem to stop using exclamation points.)

Horrible, horrible, horrible…
The instant you have a problem and need to contact the library or have a question, you are treated like a child. They don’t listen, they cut you off, and they are extremely rude. I am sure that not everyone who works there is this rude, as the book checkers can be very friendly, but it really shouldn’t happen anyways. When you can go online to the library cataloge database and have books sent from anywhere in Milwaukee county to your local library, there is really no reason to ever come here unless you live nearby. Here is hoping that they improve their customer service someday.

My go-​to place for picking up books. I live like 3 blocks from the North Avenue branch on the Eastside, but there’s no comparison to the Central Branch. Hell, despite being on 8^th and Wisconsin, parking is actually easier at Central.
I’m a voracious reader and often request books through their system. If I have them delivered to Central, I get them within a day or two. If I have them delivered to East, it takes over a week.
The building is beautiful and austere and just feels like the home of wonderful works of literary art. Sometimes I’m a little embarrassed to go in here just to check out romance novels — it seems perverse.
There is a stretch on Wisconsin Avenue with free 15 minute parking that I’m a huge fan of. I love how easy it is to run in and run out and retrieve my holds. They’ve moved to an electronic checkout, meaning I don’t have to deal with lines or crazy people. The holds are no longer behind the desk, so I dash in and dash out.
My one complaint is that when I reserve books, I receive an email telling me theyre available downtown. I go pick up my book. As I’m driving home I get another email telling me I have another book on hold. SERIOUSLY! This drives me nuts. There are times that I could be there every day picking up books, which gets annoying and frustrating. They allow you to check out like 20 books at a time, so I’m not sure why they regulate my reserved books. Just let me pick them up!!!
But seriously, even if you only read the funny pages, stop by here once just to get a coffee in the little shop and stare up at the ceilings. Its a gorgeous location.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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
, 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 über-​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!

one of the best library systems I have ever had the pleasure of using.
5 stars!