Tour Historic Central Library

Tour the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., with the Friends. Free tours begin at 11 a.m. each Saturday afternoon in the rotunda. Tour goers receive a coupon for a free book at the end of the tour in the Bookseller Store and Café. To arrange for a special tour call (414) 286-TOUR.

EVENTS

Trivia @ Tippecanoe

Featuring Lord of the Rings at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Monday, December 12, 6-7:30 p.m.

Spotlight Exhibit Series

The Spotlight Exhibit Series will showcase rotating exhibits from the Milwaukee Public Library’s Rarities Collection every month. Stop in to view the reception room and enjoy a self-guided tour of prints, posters, illuminated manuscripts, and other treasures not normally on display to the public at Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, December 13, 12-7 p.m. in the Richard E. and Lucile Krug Rare Books Room

A Time of Terror: A Survivor’s Story

Meet Reggie Jackson, Robert S. Smith and Fran Kaplan, co-contributors to the third edition of A Time of Terror: A Survivor’s Story by the late Dr. James Cameron and the only account of a lynching ever written by a survivor. The program will include readings from the book, an explanation of how it came to be, and a discussion of its relevance for today’s readers at the Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35^th St., Wednesday, December 14, 6-7:30 p.m. A book signing by the co-contributors will follow the event.

Green Home Series: The Wonder of Worm Bins

Break down food scraps from your kitchen with your very own worm bin! Learn about how vermicomposting works and how to do it with Wehr Nature Center’s own worm bin aficionado at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Wednesday, December 14, 6-7 p.m.

Researching Your Family Tree

Start investigating your family history at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Thursday, December 15, 12-1 p.m. A Humanities librarian will offer a brief introduction to library resources available for beginning genealogists.

ASK: Mental Health Help

What do you know about mental health? Are you or a loved one feeling hopeless or overwhelmed?

ASK: Access, Support and Knowledge is a free series on mental health help that will present information on signs and symptoms, advocacy, and where to turn for help in facing issues involving mental illness at Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Saturday, December 17, 1-2:30 p.m.

Say Cheese! Digital Photography @ MPL

Curious about digital photography? Take photos of the library and learn how to capture terrific images, edit and enhance photos and manage your collection. Cameras will be provided. Registration is required; call 286-3011 or online at mpl.org.

Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Wednesday, December 14, 1-3 p.m. Also Friday, December 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave., Tuesday, December 13, 2-4 p.m. Also Friday, December 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

M.L. King Library, 310 W. Locust St., Monday, December 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Also Thursday, December 15, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Tippecane Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Monday, December 12, 2-4 p.m. Also Tuesday, December 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Wednesday, December 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Also Saturday, December 17, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

BYOD – Bring Your Own Device

Learn how to set up your iPad, Kindle, Nook or tablet to download free eBooks, audiobooks and magazines available to you as a Milwaukee Public Library card holder. Please bring your Milwaukee Public Library card and all passwords.

Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Tuesday, December 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Also Dec. 20, 27.

East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Wednesday, December 14, 6-7:30 p.m. Also Dec. 21, 28.

Coffee & Coloring

Shake off the mid-week blues with a creative outlet to color and enjoy a cup of coffee at the Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35^th St., Wednesday, December 14, 12-1:30 p.m. Coloring sheets and supplies provided as well as free coffee while supplies last. Drop in and take a break! Also Dec. 21, 28.

Color Your Way to Calm

Sit back and relax by enjoying adult coloring after a long day of being a grown-up. Coloring sheets and art supplies will be provided.

East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Tuesday, December 13, 5-7 p.m.

Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Thursday, December 15, 4-5 p.m.

Need Assistance with the Health Insurance Marketplace?

Whether you’re uninsured, or just want to explore your choices, the Health Insurance Marketplace may have coverage that’s right for you, fits your budget, and meets your needs. Licensed Healthcare Navigators will be available to assist with exploring insurance options under the Affordable Care Act. Call 414-270-4677 for an appointment. Walk-ins will also be accepted if the navigator does not have an appointment. 

Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Monday, December 12, 4-7 p.m. Also Dec. 19.

Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave., Tuesday, December 13, 4-7 p.m. Also Dec. 20.

M.L. King Library, 310 W. Locust St., Saturday, December 17, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Zablocki Library, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Friday, December 16, 1-5 p.m.

FOR TEENS

Teen Resume Help!

Bring in a summary of your volunteer or work experience and learn how to make a resume that will impress employers at Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave., Monday, December 12, 5-7 p.m. *Teens ages 16-18 welcome to attend. Registration required.

Peculiar Portrait Contest

Come to Capitol Library, 3969 N. 74^th St., Tuesday, December 13, 5-6 p.m. and create some ugly self-portraits using our craft leftovers! Portraits will be displayed for the public to vote on the ugliest creation. Absolutely NO TALENT necessary! For teens ages 13-18.

Create Vision Boards

Create a collage of what you are hoping to accomplish in the new year at Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Wednesday, December 14, 6-7 p.m. New year, new goals! For teens ages 13-18.

Library Chill

Come unwind after school, bring your friends and hang out at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Thursday, December 15, 4-5 p.m. Each Library Chill session will include an activity, like gaming or an art project–or just relax, snack and chat! For teens 13-18.

FOR FAMILIES

Make Your Own Gingerbread House

Listen to the story of the gingerbread man and create your own miniature gingerbread house. Bring your family, your imagination, and creativity. Registration required; register online at www.mpl.org or call 414.286.3011.

Bay View Library, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Tuesday, December 13, 6-7 p.m.

Capitol Library, 3969 N. 74^th St., Wednesday, December 14, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, December 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Wednesday, December 14, 6-7 p.m.

Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave., Wednesday, December 14, 6-7 p.m.

Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Tuesday, December 13, 6-7 p.m.

Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Saturday, December 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

ASL Story Time for Children

In cooperation with the UW-Milwaukee Interpreter Training Program. A story time for children ages 3-5 presented by library staff and interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) at the East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Friday, December 16, 10:30-11 a.m. Hearing children are welcome to attend.

Pajama Story Time

Families with young children are invited to have fun sharing stories, songs and rhymes designed to develop early literacy skills and encourage a love of reading at the East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Monday, December 12, 6:30-7 p.m. Come dressed in your coziest PJs and bring a stuffed animal friend. Also Dec. 19.

Play & Learn

Imaginative play for families with young children at Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Saturday, December 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Make Your Own Gingerbread House. Listen to the story of the gingerbread man and create your own miniature gingerbread house. Bring your family, your imagination, and creativity. Registration required; please register online at www.mpl.org or call 414.286.3011.

Playgroup With Stories

A 20-minute story time for children and their parents or guardian is followed by open play time with a variety of age-appropriate, educational toys.

Capitol Library, 3969 N. 74^th St., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 2 and under with a parent or guardian. Also Dec. 22, 29.

Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wednesday, December 14, 9:30-11 a.m. For children ages 2 and under with a parent or guardian. Also Dec. 21, 28.

East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 2 and under with a parent or guardian. Also Dec. 22, 29.

Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Friday, December 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 1 to 4 with a parent or guardian.

Zablocki Library, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 1 to 4 with a parent or guardian. Also Dec. 22, 29.

FOR CHILDREN

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Let’s have fun while listening to an excerpt from one of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books by playing games and making a craft at Atkinson Library, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Monday, December 12, 4:30-5:30 p.m. You might even get to roll someone up in tissue!

LEGO Club

We provide the LEGOs, you provide the creativity! Join other LEGO enthusiasts and see what you can build at Zablocki Library, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Monday, December 12, 4-5 p.m. Bring your imagination, we’ll bring the bricks.

Truck Studio Art Workshop

A drop-in program designed for children in Grades K5-5. Participants will work on imaginative art activities relevant to a book or artistic theme for the day.  Presented by Artists Working in Education, Inc. (A.W.E.).

Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Tuesday, December 13, 5:30-7 p.m.

Saturdays at Central

Make Your Own Gingerbread House at Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, December 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Listen to the story of the gingerbread man and create your own miniature gingerbread house. Bring your family, your imagination, and creativity. Registration required; register online at www.mpl.org or call 414.286.3011.

Saturday Afternoon at Central for ‘Tweens

Chess Club at Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, December 17, 1-2:30 p.m. Open-play chess for all levels. One-on-one instruction provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Preschool Story Time

Preschoolers are invited for fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help them develop important

literacy skills needed prior to learning how to read. Child care centers are welcome.

Atkinson Library, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also Dec. 22, 29.

Bay View Library, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11 a.m. Also Dec. 22, 29.

Capitol Library, 3969 N. 74^th St., Thursday, December 15, 10-10:30 a.m. Also Dec. 22, 29.

Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11 a.m. Also Dec. 22, 29.

Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, December 13, 10:30-11 a.m. Also Dec. 20, 27.

Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also Dec. 22, 29.

M.L. King Library, 310 W. Locust St., Friday, December 16, 10-10:30 a.m.

Mill Road Library, 6431 N. 76^th St., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11 a.m. Also Dec. 22, 29.

Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35^th St., Friday, December 16, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Thursday, December 15, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also Dec. 22, 29.

Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities. For additional information or to request services contact the Library Director’s Office at (414) 286-3021, 286-2794 (FAX), or mail to Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233 Attn: Accommodation Request.

BOOKSELLER and COFFEE SHOP

Visit the Bookseller, the library’s used book store, located at Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., and R Café, the library’s coffee shop. Call 286.2142 for hours of service.