Milwaukee Public Library

Rethinking Libraries for the 21st Century *Option 1* Estimated Annual Savings of $600,000 4 Neighborhood Libraries 7 Mixed Use/Co-location Libraries
Neighborhood Library Square Footage: 12,000-20,000 sq. ft. Collection: 60,000-80,000 items Computers: 20-40 Features: Open 45-54 hours/week Comfortable reading/seating areas Community Room Children & Teen areas Reference staff Self-Service Checkout Benefit: Remains similar to current model. Drawback: Neighborhood libraries that are removed from service will need to be repurposed.	Mixed Use Villard Avenue example Square Footage: 8,000-12,000 sq. ft. Collection: 40,000-50,000 items Computers: 20-25 Features: Open 45 hours/week Comfortable reading/seating area Community & Study Rooms Children & Teen areas Reference staff Self-Service Checkout Benefits: Access to technology, popular collections, reduced operating costs. Drawback: Smaller locations will have fewer services and smaller collections
*Option 2* Estimated Annual Savings of $500,000 2 Area Libraries 5 Neighborhood Libraries 2 Mixed Use/Co-location Libraries 2 Express Centers
Area Library example Square Footage: 30,000-35,000 sq. ft. Collection: 100,000-150,000 items Computers: 70 Features: Open 54 hours/week Comfortable reading/seating areas Quiet reading area Community & Conference/Study rooms Children & Teen areas Reference staff Self-Service Checkout Benefits: Increased hours, full service, improved collections, increased parking, more programs, reduced operating costs. Drawback: Patrons may need to travel farther to a library location.	Neighborhood Library Square Footage: 12,000-20,000 sq. ft. Collection: 60,000-80,000 items Computers: 20-40 Features: Open 45-54 hours/week Comfortable reading/seating areas Community Room Children & Teen areas Reference staff Self-Service Checkout Benefit: Remains similar to current model. Drawback: Neighborhood libraries that are removed from service will need to be repurposed.
Mixed Use Villard Avenue example Square Footage: 8,000-12,000 sq. ft. Collection: 40,000-50,000 items Computers: 20-25 Features: Open 45 hours/week Comfortable reading/seating area Community & Study Rooms Children & Teen areas Reference staff Self-Service Checkout Benefits: Access to technology, popular collections, reduced operating costs. Drawback: Smaller locations will have fewer services and smaller collections	Express Center design example Square Footage: 500-1,500 sq. ft. Collection: Small browsing collection Computers: 2-3 Features: Open 48 hours/week Hotline to Ready Reference Material holds pick-up and returns Benefits: Quick access for pick-up and drop off of materials, access to technology and some popular collections, co-location with high traffic venue (e.g. grocery store), reduced operating costs. Drawback: Smaller locations will have fewer services and smaller collections.
Back to Index	Next page

Rethinking Libraries for the 21st Century