Special Collections

Visual Tours

Art, Music and Recreation Room
The room houses reference books on all aspects of the fine and decorative arts, music, architecture, folklore, costumes, sports, recreation as well as the performing arts such as theater, dance, film, radio and television.

Central Library Betty Brinn Children's Room
More than 15,000 square feet of space in the historic Central Library is dedicated to meeting the needs of children from birth through age 14, their families, school groups and educators. The children's room is the largest in the state of Wisconsin with more than 70,000 books and materials, 30 computers, theater, puppet stage and special surprises.

Digital Collections

Remember When
"Remember When..." was a popular newspaper feature of The Milwaukee Journal from 1963 through 1994 prepared by Milwaukee Public Library staff to highlight Milwaukee's rich and colorful past as preserved in the Historic Photo Collection of the library. Selected photographs from this series are now available to view online through the library's digital collection.

Shipshape
The database has information on more than 10,000 Great Lakes vessels. It includes vessels from 1815 to the present. Each record contains information on the type of vessel, when and where it was built, and size of the vessel. Most records include the name(s) of the person or organization who built the vessel and for whom it was built. Many records include additional information on the physical characteristics of the ship such as the engine(s), boiler, hull, hatches, and compartments. Most records include the official number of the vessel.

Milwaukee Historic Photos
The collection represents the start of the process of making historic photos of Milwaukee available online. The photos from this collection are from the Milwaukee Public Library’s historic photograph collection.

Milwaukee Waterways
These photographs are from the Port of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Library Historic Photo Collection, and the Great Lakes Marine Collection of Milwaukee Public Library and the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.  A matching grant from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program helped preserve these photographs and make them available on line.

Federal Depository

Federal Depository Collection
The Milwaukee Public Library is a regional depository for the United States Government Printing Office.

Genealogy Collection

African-American Genealogy Pathfinder
This pathfinder lists steps for starting to trace African-American genealogy and includes books, Web sites, organizations and government offices that provide valuable tools for the beginning researcher.

Researching the Family Tree
The genealogical materials at the library are enhanced by related collections which have been developed for more than a century. The strengths of the genealogical holdings include methods books on how to do research, bibliographies, family histories, a large number of periodicals, and census materials. The Milwaukee County Genealogical Society Web site contains the news and information on membership and activities of the Society. All MCGS meetings and classes are held at the Central Library of the Milwaukee Public Library System.

Photo Archives

The Photo Archives is located in the Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room at the Central Library. Photographs are retrieved by library staff. The materials may not be removed from the Room, but reproductions may be available. Contact the Humanities Department with any questions at 414-286-3061. The archives includes many collections:

Historic Photos
More than 50,000 photographs of Milwaukee dating from the late 19th century to the present are on file.

Historic Portraits
A collection of approximately 1,000 photographs of Milwaukeeans and national figures who had their photographs taken while visiting Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Postcard Collection
More than 2,000 color and black and white postcards featuring Milwaukee architecture, businesses, bridges, churches, clubs, schools, fountains, rivers, parks, streets, and much more have been preserved.

Richard E. and Lucile Krug Rare Books Collection

The Milwaukee Public Library’s rarities collection is housed in the Richard E. and Lucile Krug Rare Books Room at the Central library.  This beautiful space includes a temperature and humidity controlled book stack area and a reception area.  The room was dedicated in 2001 in honor of Richard Krug, city librarian from 1941 to 1975 and his wife, Lucile Krug, whose generosity funded the construction of the room and continues to fund materials and equipment purchases and an educational series of programs.  The rare books collection, held in trust for the citizens of Milwaukee, includes more than 6,000  items of special value, such as signed first editions, materials published before 1868, unique materials such as miniature books, and rare items of local historical and cultural significance.
 
Browse a sampling of titles from the collection or search the library’s catalog for specific items or to see a full list of rarities materials. You are also invited to come to the Central Library to view these treasures.  Simply identify the item(s) you’d like to view and then phone the Art, Music & Recreation department at 286-3071 for information on receiving access to the materials. The librarians and the rare books are waiting for your call!

World War I Military Portrait Index
A collection of 3,192 photographs of World War I military personnel from Milwaukee County are housed at the Central Library. This index includes the names of individuals in the photograph collection.

Great Lakes Marine Collection

Great Lakes Marine Collection
In affiliation with the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society, the library's Great Lakes Marine Collection includes ship files, log books, vessel plans, wreck reports and much more.

Milwaukee Road Archives

Milwaukee Road Archives
The library was designated as the official archives of the Milwaukee Road collection in 1981.

Wisconsin Architectural Archive

Wisconsin Architectural Archive
The Milwaukee Public Library's Wisconsin Architectural Archive includes more than 10,500 architectural drawings (both historical and contemporary) - as well as architectural renderings, photographs, specifications, shop drawings, and biographical data on architects.