The Milwaukee Public Library system consists of the downtown Central Library, and twelve branches spread throughout the city. The library system was formed in 1878, and the central library took up permanent residence in its current location in 1898. This well-known Neo-renaissance building originally housed both the Milwaukee Public Museum and the library, through the museum was moved to a new location in 1964. Today, the Central Library building is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
The Milwaukee Public Library is part of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System, which also includes 14 suburban public libraries in addition to those in the metro Milwaukee area. To find a suburban library, visit Milwaukee Suburban Library Locations.
You can to see if specific book, video and music titles are available at your preferred location by searching the County Catalog: countycat.mcfls.org.
Milwaukee Public Library Branches
- Central Library
Where: 814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday & Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday. Hours can change seasonally, and special collections my have abbreviated hours.
Drive-up Window - located on 8th St. between Wells St. & Wisconsin Ave.: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
- Atkinson Library
Where: 1960 W. Atkinson Ave.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: 12 - 8 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Closed Friday & Sunday
- Bay View Library
Where: 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday, noon - 8 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sunday
- Capitol Library
Where: 3969 N. 74th St.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: noon - 8 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday, Closed Friday
- Center Street Library
Where: 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
Contact: 414-286-3090
Hours: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday, noon - 8 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, 10 - 5 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sunday
- East Library
Where: 1910 E. North Ave.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday, noon - 8 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, 10 - 5 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sunday
- Forest Home Library
Where: 1432 W. Forest Home Ave.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: noon - 8 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 - 5 p.m. Saturday, Closed Friday & Sunday
- Martin Luther King Library
Where: 310 W. Locust St.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: noon - 8 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday & Friday, Closed Saturday & Sunday
- Mill Road Library
Where: 6431 N. 76th St.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: noon - 8 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday & Friday, Closed Saturday & Sunday
- Tippecanoe Library
Where: 3912 S. Howell Ave.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: noon - 8 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday & Friday, Closed Saturday & Sunday
- Villard Square Library
Where: 3912 S. Howell Ave.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday, noon - 8 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, 10 - 5 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sunday
- Washington Park Library
Where: 2121 N. Sherman Blvd.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday, noon - 8 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, 10 - 5 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sunday
- Zablocki Library
Where: 2121 N. Sherman Blvd.
Contact: 414-286-3000
Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday, noon - 8 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, 10 - 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday
Visit the Milwaukee Public Library online at www.mpl.org/.
