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Benjamin Franklin Award
Celebration
Nearly 400 guests gathered at the magnificent Central Library for the
19th annual Benjamin Franklin Award Celebration on Thursday, October
18th to honor Northwestern Mutual CEO, Ed Zore. Zore Joins a
prestigious list
of previous Benjamin Franklin Award recipients. Guests enjoyed
a lovely cocktail hour while bidding on exciting silent auction items. Foundation
president, John Stollenwerk presented the award to Mr. Zore who remarked, “The
Milwaukee Public Library is the center of culture in our community. It's
important to have a great system to enhance both learning and fun.” The
program was followed by an elegant “Taste of Central” dinner reception
featuring dinner stations throughout the 2nd floor of the library finishing
with desserts in the Children’s room.
The dinner is the foundation’s major fundraising event of the year. Proceeds
from the event help to strengthen the resources of the foundation, enabling it
to support and enhance library collections, technology, programming, and facilities
as well as funding scholarships to train public service librarians.
Author Events & Calendar
In partnership with Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, the Friends of the
Milwaukee Public Library present renowned authors throughout the year.
Milwaukee Public Library maintains a searchable calendar
of events listing
all of its activities. Search for Author/Storyteller events.
Wisconsin Writers Wall of Fame
The Milwaukee Public Library’s Wisconsin
Writers Wall of Fame pays tribute to a spectrum of literary
talents – novelists, poets,
journalists, playwrights, historians – whose work has been influenced
by their life and experiences in Wisconsin. The Friends of the Milwaukee
Public Library sponsor the Wisconsin Writers Wall of Fame reception when
a new name is added. Search the library's calendar
of events for Special
Events.
Milwaukee's Poet Laureate
Peggy Hong was named Milwaukee’s Poet Laureate for 2006-2007. The
Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library sponsor receptions and other
events featuring Milwaukee’s Poet Laureate. Search the library's calendar
of events for Poetry Events.
2008 Spring Literary Lunch
 May 19, 2008 – Save the Date!
The Friends of Milwaukee Public Library will host the 2008 Spring Literary Luncheon on Monday, May 19 at the beautiful Wisconsin Club. The Friends are pleased to have award-winning author Louise Erdrich as the featured speaker. Erdrich, a Minnesota native, is the author of eleven novels including, The Painted Drum, Love Medicine, and her upcoming novel, The Plague of Doves.
Please
call for more information: 414-286-8720.
Used Book Sales
Book sales at Central Library and the neighborhood branches annually
raise $50,000 - $60,000 – all of which is granted back to the library
to purchase needed materials and support library programs. The Bookseller,
located in the Central Library, is open for browsing. Special weekend
used book sales are held throughout the library system.
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.
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