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Every day thousands of people of all ages visit the
Central Library. They conduct research for work and school, browse
the shelves for classics and bestsellers, and use computers to access
information from the other side of town and the other side of the
world—all with the assistance of knowledgeable and helpful staff.
The vast collections of
the Central Library are used not only by the downtown population,
but by the whole city and the greater Milwaukee area. Central Library
also serves as a resource library for the state.
In addition, Central Library
is the administrative headquarters for the Milwaukee Public Library
system. This system also meets the needs of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods
through 12 branch libraries
and the community van.
The Milwaukee Public Library
collection includes more than 2.7 million books and other materials
such as magazines, newspapers, records, cassettes, compact disks and
videos as well as more than 1.5 million government documents. The
library system also provides customers with access to information
through a wide array of computer resources.
Tour Historic Central Library
Both Milwaukee visitors and area residents interested in a taste
of Milwaukee's culture are invited to tour the past and present
glory of the Central Library with the Friends of Milwaukee Public
Library. Free tours begin at 1:30 p.m. each Saturday afternoon
in the rotunda. Tours other times are available by appointment.
Sign language interpretation is also available by appointment.
Call 286-TOUR.
The Milwaukee Public Library
was founded in 1878. After several moves, the Central Library was
built in response to the need for more spacious quarters. It opened
its doors to the public on October 3, 1898. The original structure
is a combination of French and Italian Renaissance styles built of
Bedford limestone. Several additions help make up the block-long building
that stands today. Central Library has been designated a landmark
by the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission and is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places.
Special
Collections
Auction
Catalogs. Comprehensive
collection of Sotheby’s and Christie’s New York and London
Catalogs. (Art, Music and Recreation Room)
Audubon
Prints. Complete folio
of John James Audubon’s birds of North America and quadrupeds.
(Art, Music and Recreation Room)
Children’s
Popular Literature.
Samples of children’s books from 1850 to 1950.
City
of Milwaukee Archives.
Tax rolls, aldermen’s records and correspondence, 1862-1911.
(Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room)
Frank
P. Zeidler Papers.
Historical materials from Milwaukee’s long-time Socialist mayor.
(Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room)
Great
Lakes Marine Collection.
Thousands of historical items, photographs and information on 85,000
ships that sailed the Great Lakes. (Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room)
Government
Documents. More than 1.5
million state and federal documents. (The library became a federal
depository in 1866.) (Periodicals Room)
Milwaukee
Road Archives.
Engineering drawings of engines, bridges and railroad structures.
(Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room)
Patents.
All U.S. Patents from 1790 to present; some British patents from 1615
to present. (Business and Technology Room)
Rare
Books. About 6,000 rare
and unusual books. (Art, Music and Recreation Room)
Standards.
The largest collection of industrial and military standards in the
area. (Business and Technology Room)
U.S.
Geological Survey.
Survey maps, charts and reports. (The library is the regional depository.)
(Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room) |
