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.
CONTESTS
Field Work MKE Presents: 2019 Youth Poetry Contest
How do you see yourself in the natural world? Answer the question through poetry with help from the Milwaukee Public Library and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Milwaukee youth ages 7-18 are encouraged to submit an original poem to this year’s Poetry Contest online at mpl.org/poetrycontest from March 1-April 15. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each age category: 7-9, 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18. Winners in each category will also receive two free admission passes to the museum.
Peeps® Diorama Contest
Create your own book-themed Peeps® diorama to display at the library. See if your diorama gets the most votes. You may drop off your diorama at Villard Square between April 1 and April 20 to be entered into the contest. The winning diorama will receive a prize. A limited amount of shoe boxes will be available for use. An entry form must be filled out to compete in the contest. Pick up the form at Villard Square before Saturday, April 20.
Drop-In Peeps® Diorama Workshop
Work on your diorama at the Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St., on Wednesday, April 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m., then enter it in the Peeps Diorama Contest. A variety of supplies will be available for you to create your very own unique book-based scene. A limited supply of shoe boxes will also be available. Peeps provided.
PROGRAMS
Spring Blood Drive
Enjoy the raindrops from the comfort of the Tippecanoe Branch and give back to your community by donating blood at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Monday, April 8, 2:30-6:30 p.m. The BloodCenter of Wisconsin is the sole provider of blood to over 50 local Wisconsin hospitals. One blood donor can save up to 3 lives. Call (877) 232-4376 or sign up online to book your appointment. Participants will receive four tickets for admission to Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells.
Discovery Lunch
Inspiration starts here with a one-hour program that lets you explore and connect with fellow learners at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, April 9, 12:30-1:30 p.m. A light lunch is provided. Brain Training: The Best Brain Booster Apps. Playing games is a great way to keep your mind sharp. Learn about the best apps that will challenge your thinking and improve your brain’s cognitive ability.
Health Online: Finding Information You Can Trust
This free 90-minute educational program helps adults use the internet to find health information on a variety of topics and learn how to tell which websites are reliable at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, April 9, 5-7 p.m. Each participant will get to use an iPad during the program to practice searching for health information, or may bring their own laptops or tablets to use during the program. Registration is required; please call 414.286.3011 or register online at www.mpl.org. This project was developed by Wisconsin Health Literacy and is supported by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine – Greater Midwest Region.
Arab American Heritage Month
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with a glimpse of the different cultural dresses and fashions from the Arab world within the Middle East at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Tuesday, April 9, 6-7 p.m. The Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition will present a fashion show with Arabic music, plus create a personalized calligraphy souvenir. Gain a better understanding of Arabic fashion and culture while embracing differences in our community.
Coffee & Coloring
Shake off the mid-week blues with coloring sheets and puzzles provided at the Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St., Wednesday, April 10, 12-2 p.m. Free coffee and tea available while supplies last.
Visual Journals and Narrative Stories with Artist-in-Residence Celeste Contreras
The 2019 Gathering Art, Stories and Place artist residency in collaboration with Artists Working in Education will begin with workshops focusing on books. Together we will explore codexes, zines, artist journals, artist books, traditional books and non-traditional books at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Wednesday, April 10, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Each participant will be able to create a book in numerous forms, as well as learn and interact with artists, art books and art forms. Resources will be provided for participants. Learn more about the project at mpl.org/gasp Also Apr. 17, 24.
BYOD: Bring Your Own Device
Learn how to download eBooks, magazines, and music to your device by making an appointment with a librarian. The appointment can over Overdrive, RBDigital, Hoopla, or Freegal Music. Appointments are available between 6-7:30 p.m. at the East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Wednesday, April 10. Sign up by 2 p.m. on Wednesday in person or over the phone. Also Apr. 17, 24.
Gender Identity 101
Curious to know more about the T in LGBT? Want to explore all the wonderful expanses of gender and learn how to support folx outside of the gender binary? Jamie, Milwaukee LGBT Center’s youth advocate, will be discussing some terms you might be hearing, encouraging reflections of our thoughts about gender, and talking through concrete ways to be an aspiring ally and advocate for trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming folx at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Wednesday, April 10, 6-7 p.m.
Small Business Resources 101
Learn how to find the right information to help you start your own business. Central Library business staff offer a free program on useful print and electronic resources for small business planning at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Thursday, April 11, 12-1 p.m.
Medicare 101
Learn the basics of Medicare, including coverage options, age requirements, enrollment periods, and more at the Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Thursday, April 11, 2-3 p.m.
Last Piece Puzzle Club
Enjoy quality puzzle time with other puzzle enthusiasts at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Saturday, April 13, 10-11 a.m. Work on a puzzle weekly until it’s done and get the satisfaction of putting in the last piece! Also Apr. 20, 27.
Open Mic/Spoken Word Poetry Celebration
An open-mic poetry and performance event for all ages at the East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Saturday, April 13, 1-4 p.m. Local poet Kavon Cortez Jones will emcee this open-mic event. Read poetry, sing a song, play an instrument – celebrate all things poetry. No registration is required.
The Lion at the Library-Museum
Ninety years ago this day, an African lion cub arrived in Milwaukee and moved into the building that houses the Milwaukee Public Library. This free program and tour of MPM’s old home at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, April 13, 2-4 p.m., will commemorate exactly 90 years to the date when Sim arrived in Milwaukee and the Library-Museum Building. Event will feature a presentation, historic photos of old museum exhibits and reveal how MPL uses the space formerly occupied by the Museum. Seating is limited. Registration is required online at mpl.org or by calling (414) 286-3011.
Bring Your Own Device
Get help downloading free e-books, magazines, music and more! Bring your library card and device and a librarian will get you started at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, April 13, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
BOOK DISCUSSIONS
Novel Ideas Book Club
Join the discussion of The Library Book by Susan Orlean at the Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Monday, April 8, 6-7 p.m.
Bibliophile Book Club
Join the discussion of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Thursday, April 11, 5-6 p.m.
FOR TEENS
Open Jam Sessions with Dria Rush aka DJ DRIP Sweat
Jam with fellow musicians! Check out the recording equipment available in Studio M. If you have an instrument, bring it along. If you don’t, come anyway and use one of the instruments available in Studio M. Or just come to listen to what other musicians create at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Monday, April 8, 5-7:30 p.m.
Open Maker Time
Hang out, mess around, and geek out at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St. Come with a specific project in mind, pick from our menu of project options, or collaborate with other teens hanging out in the space.
Monday, Apr. 8, 15, 22, 29, 3:30-7:30 pm
Tuesday, Apr. 9, 16, 23, 3:30-7:30 pm; Studio M Cooking Event Tuesday, Apr. 30.
Wednesday, Apr. 10, 17, 24, 3:30-7:30 pm
Thursday, Apr. 11, 18, 25, 3:30-5:30 pm
Friday, Apr. 12, 26, 3:30-5:30 pm; Studio M closed Friday, Apr. 19. Saturday, Apr. 13, 20, 27, 1-4:30 pm
Glitter Jars
Create a glitter jar at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Tuesday, April 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m. These jars are fun to design and require your creativity to make them galactic or fairy like. You can even try making a cool glitter globe!
Popcorn and Poetry
Enjoy popcorn while we share some of our favorite poems at the Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Tuesday, April 9, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Record Your Rhymes
Whether you are an experienced spoken word artist or you’re just interested in giving it a try, join us in the Northwestern Mutual Studio M Makerspace to create your rhymes and record them at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Tuesday, April 9, 5-7 p.m. We have a recording studio with professional recording equipment and experts to help you. Create a recording that you can keep and share!
Teen Wellness Cooking
Be committed to wellness this spring! Gather in Studio M to try out fun wellness activities and cook tasty, healthy recipes with friends at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Wednesday, April 10, 5-7:30 p.m.
Teen Job Center
Drop-in for job help at the Teen Job Center at the Atkinson Branch, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Thursday, April 11, 3:30-5 p.m. Get answers to questions about job applications or interviews and get help using the internet to search for and apply to jobs
FOR FAMILIES
Play and Learn
Imaginative play for families with young children at the Capitol Branch, 3969 N. 74th St., Wednesday, April 10, 5-6 p.m. Dinosaur Dig. Pretend to be a paleontologist at a dig site, see how long a real brachiosaurus was, and make your own fossil.
Play Time!
Drop in for unstructured play time with a parachute, tunnel, puzzles and toys at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Friday, April 12, 10-11:30 a.m. Bring your play date to the library, or make new friends while exploring different themes each month.
Pajama Story Time
Families with young children are invited to come dressed in your coziest PJs and bring a stuffed animal friend for 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, April 8, 6:30-7 p.m. Also Apr. 15, 22, 29.
Baby Story Time
Share simple stories, playful songs, and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, April 9, 9:30-10 a.m. For children birth to 12 months, with a caregiver. Also Apr. 16, 23, 30.
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 Branch, 3969 N. 74th St., Thursday, April 11, 10:30-11 a.m. For children ages 2 and under with a parent or guardian. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wednesday, April 10, 9:30-10:30 a.m. For children ages 2 and under with a parent or guardian. Repeated at 10:45 a.m. Also Apr. 24.
East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Thursday, April 11, 10-11:30 a.m. For children ages 2 and under with a parent or guardian. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Thursday, April 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 1-4 and a parent or guardian. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Thursday, April 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 1-4 and a parent or guardian. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Thursday, April 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 1-4 and a parent or guardian. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Story Time
Young children and their caregivers are invited for fun stories, songs, and fingerplays all designed to help little ones develop important literacy skills needed prior to learning how to read. Child care centers are welcome.
Atkinson Branch, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Thursday, April 11, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Thursday, April 11, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Capitol Branch, 3969 N. 74th St., Thursday, April 11, 10-10:30 a.m. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Monday, April 8, 4-4:30 p.m. Also Apr. 15, 22, 29.
Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, April 9, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also Apr. 16, 23, 30.
Martin Luther King Branch, 310 W. Locust St., Thursday, April 11, 10-10:30 a.m. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St., Thursday, April 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Also Apr. 18, 25.
Washington Park Branch, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Thursday, Apr. 11, 10:30-11 a.m. Also Apr. 18, 25.
FOR CHILDREN
Dream Keepers Writing Circle
Calling all young writers ages 9-13! The Dream Keepers Writing Circle will give you the opportunity to work on your writing project and share it with other young writers at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Monday, April 8, 4:30-6 p.m. Students will spend the first part of the session writing, with writing prompts and encouragement from author and writing coach Rochelle Melander. During the second half of the session, students will share these stories with each other, learning how to listen for key story elements and give helpful feedback.
Art Workshops with Artists Working in Education
A drop-in program designed for children in grades K5-5th grade, although older siblings are welcome. Each visit begins with an A.W.E. artist reading aloud a story or two and then discussing the book or illustrator.
Participants will then work on imaginative art activities relevant to the book or artist theme for the day.
Everyone gets to take home their creations. Families are encouraged to attend and make art together.
Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St., Monday, April 8, 4-5:30 p.m. Also Apr. 15.
Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Saturday, April 13, 2-3:30 p.m. Also Apr. 20.
Blackout Poetry
Celebrate National Poetry Month and create an original poem using old books and magazines as word Inspiration at the Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Tuesday, April 9, 4-5 p.m.
Kids Can Cook
Interested in cooking? Find out first-hand what cooking is all about at the Capitol Branch, 3969 N. 74th, Tuesday, April 9, 4-5 p.m. Discover kid-friendly recipes, learn about nutrition and try out a bunch of new foods.
Show & Tell Book Club
Have a great book to share or not sure what to read next? Join the Show & Tell Book Club to discover your next read at the East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Tuesday, April 9, 4-5 p.m. (ages 10-13)
Slime Science
Measure, mix, and experiment! Bring out your inner mad scientist and concoct your very own slime using common household ingredients at the Washington Park Branch, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Tuesday, April 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Earth Day Science: Turtle Talk
Meet Jonathan the turtle and learn all about the ornate box turtle, a Wisconsin endangered species at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Tuesday, April 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Build with LEGO Bricks
Get the creativity flowing using LEGO bricks. Join others and see what you can create together at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wednesday, April 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m. This activity helps to develop 21st century skills such as problem-solving and collaboration.
Urban Wildlife: Poetry in Your Backyard
Hands-on fun, discovery, and exploration about wildlife you might find in your own backyard! Get inspired to create poetry about the natural world. Part of Field Work: Poetry and Science in partnership with the Milwaukee Public Museum at the Washington Park Branch, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Wednesday, April 10, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Snack Hack!
Enjoy a free healthy snack Mitchell Street’s Cargill Community Kitchen at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., April 11, 3:30-4 p.m. All school-aged children 18 and younger are invited to make and eat a simple snack and learn how about the importance of snacking healthy! The Snack Hack series is generously supported by Pete’s Fruit Market.
Saturdays at Central
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Appreciation at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, April 13, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Bust a move at the library! Sing silly songs, shake your wiggles out, and listen to stories with a beat.
Saturday Afternoons at Central for ‘Tweens
Board Games Galore at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, April 13, 2-3 p.m. Join us for a relaxing afternoon of board games in the children’s room.
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.