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.
SPECIAL EVENTS
50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a Solar System Ambassador lecture series at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Monday, July 8, 6-7 p.m. Sponsored by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a Solar System Ambassador scientist volunteer will be on hand to present and discuss: Moons of
Our Solar System. Learn fascinating facts about some of the hundreds of moons in our solar system, including Earth’s moon. Orbits, moonquakes, collisions, volcanoes, underwater oceans, poisonous clouds and more will be discussed!
Summers at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Penwern with Mark Hertzberg
Wisconsin photojournalist Mark Hertzberg documents Penwern, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s lesser known but no less beautiful summer estates, at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 6-7 p.m. Penwern sits on Delavan Lake in southern Wisconsin, one of the many ‘cottages’ Lloyd Wright designed in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario. With beautiful color photographs, vintage black and white pictures, and original Wright drawings, Hertzberg transports us back to the glory days of gracious living and entertaining on the lake. Hertzberg was Director of Photography of The Journal Times in Racine and serves on the board of directors of the Frank Lloyd Wright Wisconsin Tourism Heritage Program.
PROGRAMS
Summer Read-in
Work on completing your Summer Reading Program activities! Everyone is invited to read alone, or read out loud in a group at the Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 2-3 p.m.
Bad Art Night
No art skills? No problem! Bring your friends and make the most atrocious art you can out of random, goofy stuff at the East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Tuesday, July 9, 5:30-7 p.m. Take part in a Bad Art Exhibit, vote on your least favorites and compete for the coveted title of the worst artist at the library. Winners will be crowned with terrible tiaras and will receive other fun prizes!
Locked in the Library
Looking for something different and exciting to do? Get your friends together and see if you have what it takes to escape the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Tuesday, July 9, 5:30-7 p.m. Your teamwork and critical thinking skills will be put to the test as you work with a group to solve challenging clues and puzzles to escape the Library! Two games will be played at each session. Limit of 15 people per game.
Milwaukee Shines Solar Power Hour
Thinking about going solar? Interested Milwaukee area homeowners or commercial property owners can start by attending this free solar information session at the Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 6-7 p.m. Learn the basics of how solar works, its financial costs and benefits for home and business owners, and how the solar group buy program works. Find out how to sign up for a free site assessment as part of the solar group buy program.
Stranger Crafts
The season three premier of the hit show Stranger Things is upon us! Create character magnets, complete a decorative cross stitch of your favorite characters from the show, or create a Christmas light Ouija board mug while discussing your favorite moments from the strangest show on television at the Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Wednesday, July 10, 5-7 p.m. Supplies are limited; first come, first served.
BYOD: Bring Your Own Device
Learn how to download eBooks, magazines, and music to your device by making an appointment with a librarian at the East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Wednesday, July 10. The appointment can cover Overdrive, RBDigital, Hoopla, or Freegal Music. Appointments are available between 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Sign up by 2 p.m. on Wednesday in person or over the phone. Also July 17, 24, 31.
Small Business Resources 101
Learn how to find the right information to help you start your own business at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Thursday, July 11, 12-1 p.m. Central Library business staff offer a free bi-annual program on useful print and electronic resources for small business planning.
Cell Phone Photography
Learn to utilize basic photography skills on your smart phone camera at the Bay View Branch, 2566 S.
Kinnickinnic Ave., Saturday, July 13, 2-3:30 p.m. Instruction will focus on iPhone and Android phones.
Participants will bring and use their own device for each session. July 13: Uploading, Storage, and Editing.
Bring Your Own Device
Get help downloading free e-books, magazines, music and more at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, July 13, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Bring your library card and device and a librarian will get you started.
Gathering Art, Stories and Place Artist Residency Workshops
Join our artist-in-residence, Celeste Contreras, for a creative art workshop at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Saturday, July 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Celeste will be focusing on cyanotype, screen printing, drawing and cardboard books. The artist residency program is a part of the Gathering Art, Stories and Place project in collaboration with Artists Working in Education and supported in part by an award from the National Endowment of the Arts, with additional support from the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation. Artists-inresidence are chosen for one year to lead weekly community art programming resulting in permanent and temporary public art installations. For more information about Gathering Art, Stories and Place please visit mpl.org/gasp. Also August 10.
BOOK DISCUSSIONS
Novel Ideas Book Club
Join the discussion of Calypos by David Sedaris at the Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Monday, July 8, 6-7 p.m.
Bibliophile Book Club
Join the discussion of Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Thursday, July 11, 5-6 p.m.
Urban Fiction Fridays
Cook off in the library this summer with a HOT book. Join the discussion of Dirty Tricks by Kiki Swinson at the Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Friday, July 12, 2-3 p.m.
FOR TEENS
Open Maker Time
Hang out, mess around, and geek out at the library! Come with a specific project in mind, pick from our menu of project options, or collaborate with other teens hanging out in the space at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursdays and Fridays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 1-4:30 p.m.
Game Jam Days
Professional game developers will be on hand to coach you through the process of making your own video game. We’ll have equipment and software on hand for you to use. Plus, we’ll have tons of food and there will be the chance to hang out with other video game enthusiasts. Whether or not you have any experience with coding or game design, you will find the tools and resources you need to get started on your game at a Game Jam Day. Hosted in partnership with Cream City Coders and i.c.stars.
Atkinson Branch, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 12-7 p.m.
Capitol Branch, 3969 N. 74th St., Wednesday, July 10, 12-7 p.m.
Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Friday, July 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Upcycled Book Mobiles
Create a hanging mobile out of an old book! Use your creativity and supplied materials to construct something cool and unique at the Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Tabletop Games – Children’s Room
Try your hand at some classic and new tabletop board games at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Podcast Blast
Interested in podcasting, but don’t know where to start? Check out all the equipment and software available in Studio M, and develop your skills with help from our staff at the Mitchel Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Tuesday, July 9, 5-7:30 p.m. Whether you’re a total beginner or you already know your way around recording equipment, you’ll have a chance to practice and learn something new.
Painting with Watercolors
Have fun exploring and creating with watercolors at the M.L. King Branch, 310 W. Locust St., Wednesday, July 10, 2-3 p.m. Feel free to bring an item for inspiration.
FOR FAMILIES
Marshmallow Bingo
Try your hand at Marshmallow Bingo! Grab a bingo card and use marshmallows as your bingo markers at the Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 3-4 p.m.
Juggler Steve Girman
Watch Steve Girman mix juggling, music and storytelling into a captivating performance at the Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 6-7 p.m.
Play and Learn
PRESENTED IN SPANISH. Imaginative play for families with young children at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Friday, July 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Grocery Store. Welcome to our grocery store! Make a grocery list, help customers, run the cash register, and go shopping!
BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) Story Time
Enjoy summer fun stories, music, and activities at the Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Saturday, July 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Be a bubbleologist and create huge bubbles on a Saturday morning in Zablocki’s Courtyard. Program will be held indoors in case of inclement weather.
Music & Movement Story Time
Let’s move and groove together during this musically motivated story time at the Central Library, 814 W.
Wisconsin Ave., Monday, July 8, 6:15-7 p.m. Bring your enthusiasm and dance moves. Instruments provided. Also July 15, 22, 29.
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.
East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Monday, July 8, 6:30-7 p.m. Also July 15, 22, 29.
Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 6:30-7 p.m. Also July 16, 23, 30.
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, July 9, 9:30-10 a.m. For children ages 0-12 months, with a caregiver. Also July 16, 23, 30.
Cool Down Play Time
Get out of the heat and spend quality family time while getting to know other parents and caregivers at our summer play time at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Friday, July 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 0-5 with a caregiver. Also July 19, 26.
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, July 11, 10:30-11 a.m. For children ages 2 and under with a parent or guardian. Also July 18, 25.
Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wednesday, July 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 July 17, 24, 31.
East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Thursday, July 11, 10-11:30 a.m. For children ages 2 and under with a parent or guardian. Also July 18, 25.
Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Thursday, July 11, 10:30-11:15 a.m. For children ages 1-4 and a parent or guardian. Also July 18, 25.
Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Thursday, July 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 1-4 and a parent or guardian. Also July 18, 25.
Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Thursday, July 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For children ages 1-4 and a parent or guardian. Also July 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, July 11, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also July 18, 25.
Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Thursday, July 11, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Also July 18, 25.
Capitol Branch, 3969 N. 74th St., Thursday, July 11, 10-10:30 a.m. Also July 18, 25.
Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Monday, July 8, 4-4:30 p.m. Also July 15, 22, 29.
Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tuesday, July 9, 10:30-11 a.m. Also July 16, 23, 30. M.L. King Branch, 310 W. Locust St., Thursday, July 11, 10-10:30 a.m. Also July 18, 25.
Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St., Thursday, July 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Also July 18, 25.
Washington Park Branch, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Thursday, July 11, 10:30-11 a.m. Also July 18, 25.
FOR CHILDREN
Summer Reading Programs
Atkinson Branch, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Monday, July 8, 2 p.m.: Sky Stories with Wehr Nature Center.
Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Monday, July 8, 2 p.m.: Miss Kim’s Amazing Animals.
Capitol Branch, 3969 N. 74th St., Monday, July 8, 12:30 p.m.; repeated at 1:45 p.m.: R.E.T.C. (Reptile Education Through Contact).
Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Wednesday, July 10, 2 p.m.: Sky Stories with Wehr Nature Center.
Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Thursday, July 11, 2 p.m.: Sky Stories with Wehr Nature Center.
Summer Reading Programs (CONTINUED)
East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St., Tuesday, July 9, 2 p.m.: Sky Stories with Wehr Nature Center.
M.L. King Branch, 310 W. Locust St., Tuesday, July 9, 2 p.m.: Reach for the Moon with Mad Science. Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Wednesday, July 10, 2 p.m.: Reach for the Moon with Mad Science.
Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Wednesday, July 10, 2 p.m.: Reptiles & Amphibians.
Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St., Thursday, July 11, 2 p.m.: Illusionist Ardan James.
Washington Park Branch, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Wednesday, July 10, 2 p.m.: Mind, Body & Soul Urban Line Dancers.
Zablocki Branch, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., Monday, July 8, 2 p.m.: Reach for the Moon with Mad Science.
Straw Construction
Use straws and connectors to build life size figures and shapes at the M.L. King Branch, 310 W. Locust St., Monday, July 8, 2-3 p.m. You can even try building a fort.
Wii U Gaming
Relax with the Wii U and board games at the Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Monday, July 8, 2-3:30 p.m. Beat levels together, go head-to-head, or dance to the beat in a social setting.
Exploring Tech
Learn the fundamentals of coding with a remote controlled robot and exercise your creative problem solving skills with a game at the Washington Park Branch, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Tuesday, July 9, 5-6 p.m.
STEAM Wednesdays @ Atkinson
On Wednesdays the Children’s Area turns into a STEAM Lab. Experiment with a variety of materials at the Atkinson Branch, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., Wednesday, July 10, 1-3 p.m. JULY: Creative LEGO Builds. Also July 17, 24, 31.
Build with LEGO Bricks
Get the creativity flowing using LEGO Bricks. Join others and see what you can create together. This activity helps to develop 21st century skills such as problem-solving and collaboration.
Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wednesday, July 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Also July 24.
Snack Hack!
Enjoy a free healthy snack in the Cargill Community Kitchen at the Mitchell Street Branch, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Thursday, July 11, 3:30-4 p.m. All school-aged children 18 and younger are invited to eat a simple snack and learn the importance of healthy eating. No registration required. Generously supported by Pete’s Fruit Market. Also July 18, 25.
Saturdays at Central
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Appreciation at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, July 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sing, listen, and play rhythm instruments while moving to music.
Summer Saturday Afternoons at Central
Kindess Rocks Project at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Saturday, July 13, 2-3:30 p.m. Ready to spread some good vibes this summer? Help us bring more kindness to MKE by painting inspirational messages on rocks!
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.