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Beyond Books: Exploring Archives @ MPL
2025-10-20 16:30:00 2025-10-20 18:30:00 America/Chicago Beyond Books: Exploring Archives @ MPL Come explore some of the Milwaukee Public Library's unique archives and special collections in our Art, Music and Recreation Room on the 2nd floor of Central Library.  Central Library - Art, Music & Recreation Room

Monday, October 20
4:30pm - 6:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-10-20 16:30:00 2025-10-20 18:30:00 America/Chicago Beyond Books: Exploring Archives @ MPL Come explore some of the Milwaukee Public Library's unique archives and special collections in our Art, Music and Recreation Room on the 2nd floor of Central Library.  Central Library - Art, Music & Recreation Room

Central Library

Art, Music & Recreation Room

Come explore some of the Milwaukee Public Library's unique archives and special collections in our Art, Music and Recreation Room on the 2nd floor of Central Library. 

Come explore some of the Milwaukee Public Library’s unique archives and special collections!  A selection of materials will be available for browsing at your own pace between 4:30-6:30 pm in our Art, Music and Recreation Room on the 2nd floor of Central Library.  These materials are not normally browsable and may include documents, drawings, plans, photographs and ephemera.  Topics will vary monthly.  No registration necessary.  Please drop in and visit with us!

October 20, 2025 - Topic: Beyond Books: Milwaukee Mysteries, True Crime & Paranormal

December 8, 2025 - Topic: Beyond Books: Streets of Old Milwaukee

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Collections & Rare Books | History & Genealogy | Exhibits/Displays | Cultural Heritage | Arts, Music, & Culture |

TAGS: | |

Central Library
Branch manager
Kristina Gomez
Hours

Today's hours

We're open 1:00PM to 5:00PM

Mon, Sep 15 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Sep 16 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Sep 17 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Sep 18 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Sep 19 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Sep 20 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Sep 21 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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Upcoming Events

Dear Diary
Mon, Sep 22, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Dear Diary Day is September 22nd! Let's get together to learn about how rewarding it is to journal about gratitude, challenges, favorite animals, and adventures!
Art Book Club: Printmaking
Mon, Sep 22, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Art, Music & Recreation Room
Open House event featuring books about printmaking and the history of print.
Story Time and Play Group
Tue, Sep 23, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.
Aurora Mobile Health Clinic
Tue, Sep 23, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Mozart's Grove
Your health matters. Come talk to us! Aurora Mobile Health is providing free health services at Milwaukee Public Library Central Library for community members.
Central Library Walking Club
Wed, Sep 24, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.
Rescheduled
Worker Connection Program: Job Assistance
Wed, Sep 24, 10:30am - 4:00pm
New date Wednesday, September 24, 10:30am - 2:00pm
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!
Worker Connection Program: Job Assistance
Wed, Sep 24, 10:30am - 2:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!
Green Roof Tour
Wed, Sep 24, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 
Intellectual Property Brief Advice Clinic
Wed, Sep 24, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Paul Gottfried Krikelas Technology Conference Room
Attend a free, brief consultation with an IP attorney to ask questions about getting started on protecting your patent or trademark.
You Build It
Wed, Sep 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.
Story Time
Thu, Sep 25, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help little ones develop important early literacy skills.
Chair Yoga
Thu, Sep 25, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
Baby Story Time
Thu, Sep 25, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.
Job Search and Resume Assistance - Provided by Goodwill Workforce Connection Center
Thu, Sep 25, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.
Doors Open Milwaukee
Sat, Sep 27, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Other - See description for location
Tours in collaboration with the annual citywide Doors Open Milwaukee event
Family Play & Learn: Pizza Parlor - Enjoy imaginative play for families with young children
Sat, Sep 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Play & Learn programs are designed as fun family outings that incorporate the development of early literacy skills through adult & child playtime interaction.
Doors Open Milwaukee - Rare Books Room experience
Sat, Sep 27, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Other - See description for location
Visit the vestibule of the Krug Rare Books Room
Green Roof Tour
Sat, Sep 27, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 
Doors Open Milwaukee
Sun, Sep 28, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Other - See description for location
Tours in collaboration with the annual citywide Doors Open Milwaukee event
Viva Yuyi
Mon, Sep 29, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Let's celebrate award-winning Mexican American children's book artist Yuyi Morales. We'll explore some of her beloved picture books and make art inspired by her unique mixed-media illustrations.
Story Time and Play Group
Tue, Sep 30, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.
I Live Underwater: a Max Nohl Book Event - With Maritime Archaeologist Tamara Thomsen
Tue, Sep 30, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Milwaukee Public Library welcomes Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Archaeologist Tamara Thomsen to discuss the newly published memoir of Max Nohl, a Record-Breaking Diver and Deep-Sea Explorer.
Central Library Walking Club
Wed, Oct 01, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.
Worker Connection Program: Job Assistance
Wed, Oct 01, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!
Green Roof Tour
Wed, Oct 01, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 
You Build It
Wed, Oct 01, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.
Story Time
Thu, Oct 02, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help little ones develop important early literacy skills.
Chair Yoga
Thu, Oct 02, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
Baby Story Time
Thu, Oct 02, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.
Job Search and Resume Assistance - Provided by Goodwill Workforce Connection Center
Thu, Oct 02, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.
Unlocking Growth: Customer Discovery to Business Success - Part of Wisconsin Tech Month
Thu, Oct 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
This session will equip you with clear next steps, free tools, and a sharper path to find your customers.
Register
QWERTYFEST - There's something for everyone at QWERTYFEST!
Sat, Oct 04, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Art, Music & Recreation Room,East View Conference Room,Paul Gottfried Krikelas Technology Conference Room,Richard E. and Lucile Krug Rare Books Room,Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room,Rotunda
QWERTYFEST is a 3-day festival for writers, artists, typewriter aficionados, history buffs, mechanical keyboard connoisseurs and anyone who wants to celebrate innovation.
ABC Academy
Sat, Oct 04, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!
Docent Tour - Guided Central Architectural Tour
Sat, Oct 04, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Central Library Tours
Join a Docent Tour Guide on a tour of the Central Library! The Docent will share the history of the Milwaukee Public Library and provide insight on architectural points of interest.
Green Roof Tour
Sat, Oct 04, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 
Smart Money for Your Business Workshop Series
Mon, Oct 06, 10:30am - 11:30am
Innovation and Learning Lab
A three-workshop series presented to help you make smart money moves for your small business!
Your Amazing Eyes
Mon, Oct 06, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
It's Vision Awareness Month! Along with our friends at Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, let's learn how powerful and important our eyesight is, followed by a no-cost vision screening for participants.
Back to Business: Microsoft Word and Excel - Word Level 1
Mon, Oct 06, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
This series of classes will give an overview of the two most popular office suite programs.
Story Time and Play Group
Tue, Oct 07, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.
Cancelled
Tech-splanation @ MPL
Tue, Oct 07, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help! 
Cancelled
Worker Connection Program: Job Assistance
Wed, Oct 08, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!
Central Library Walking Club
Wed, Oct 08, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.
Green Roof Tour
Wed, Oct 08, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 
You Build It
Wed, Oct 08, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.
Back to Business: Microsoft Word and Excel - Word Level 1
Thu, Oct 09, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
This series of classes will give an overview of the two most popular office suite programs.
Story Time
Thu, Oct 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help little ones develop important early literacy skills.
Chair Yoga
Thu, Oct 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
Baby Story Time
Thu, Oct 09, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.
Job Search and Resume Assistance - Provided by Goodwill Workforce Connection Center
Thu, Oct 09, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.
Central Film Club
Fri, Oct 10, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us for free movie screenings and discussions this fall, on select Fridays at the Central Library! Check the event description on our website for more information.
ABC Academy
Sat, Oct 11, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!
Stay Profitable and Avoid Common Food Truck Mistakes - From Passion to Profits: Building a Thriving Food Business
Sat, Oct 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Food Entrepreneur Shatoia Robinson is here to help you save time, money, and frustration by breaking down the most common food truck mistakes and-more importantly-how to avoid them.
Docent Tour - Guided Central Architectural Tour
Sat, Oct 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Central Library Tours
Join a Docent Tour Guide on a tour of the Central Library! The Docent will share the history of the Milwaukee Public Library and provide insight on architectural points of interest.
Green Roof Tour
Sat, Oct 11, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 
The Magic of Moths
Mon, Oct 13, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Peppered moths have adapted amazingly well to environmental change. Design a moth that can evade a predator's hungry eyes. Then try to find camouflaged moths hidden around the Children's Room.
Back to Business: Microsoft Word and Excel - Word Level 2
Mon, Oct 13, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
This series of classes will give an overview of the two most popular office suite programs.
Story Time and Play Group
Tue, Oct 14, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.
Tech-splanation @ MPL
Tue, Oct 14, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help! 
Medicare 101 - Understanding the A, B, C and D of Medicare
Tue, Oct 14, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Come for a free and unbiased presentation on the basics of Medicare, and changes for 2026, provided by Milwaukee County Aging and Disability Services.
Central Library Walking Club
Wed, Oct 15, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at Central library for a weekly walk. We will meet under the dome of the Central Library and take a two-mile loop through this historic neighborhood. The club meets rain or shine.
Cancelled
Worker Connection Program: Job Assistance
Wed, Oct 15, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Get one-on-one help with job searching, resume writing, online applications and more! Drop-in, no registration required!
Green Roof Tour
Wed, Oct 15, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 
You Build It
Wed, Oct 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.
Story Time
Thu, Oct 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help little ones develop important early literacy skills.
Back to Business: Microsoft Word and Excel - Word Level 2
Thu, Oct 16, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
This series of classes will give an overview of the two most popular office suite programs.
Chair Yoga
Thu, Oct 16, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
Baby Story Time
Thu, Oct 16, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.
Job Search and Resume Assistance - Provided by Goodwill Workforce Connection Center
Thu, Oct 16, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.
ABC Academy
Sat, Oct 18, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!
Docent Tour - Guided Central Architectural Tour
Sat, Oct 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Central Library Tours
Join a Docent Tour Guide on a tour of the Central Library! The Docent will share the history of the Milwaukee Public Library and provide insight on architectural points of interest.
Green Roof Tour
Sat, Oct 18, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Green Roof
Enjoy a short tour of the library's Green Roof! 
Treasures of the Great Lakes
Mon, Oct 20, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Learn about a different aspect of the Great Lakes Marine Collection each month. Of interest to divers, genealogists, or anyone interested in learning more about Great Lakes history.
Dragons and Mermaids and Fairies? Oh My!
Mon, Oct 20, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Are you curious about the exciting worlds built in fantasy books? Join us for an action filled program all about the fantasy genre and learn about new adventures, wild creatures, and amazing heroes!
Back to Business: Microsoft Word and Excel - Excel Level 1
Mon, Oct 20, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
This series of classes will give an overview of the two most popular office suite programs.
Beyond Books: Exploring Archives @ MPL
Mon, Oct 20, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Art, Music & Recreation Room
Come explore some of the Milwaukee Public Library's unique archives and special collections in our Art, Music and Recreation Room on the 2nd floor of Central Library. 
Story Time and Play Group
Tue, Oct 21, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.
Tech-splanation @ MPL
Tue, Oct 21, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help! 
See all events