Milwaukee Public Library

FREE, FUN, UNQUIET Events

Go ahead, be loud in the library. It sounds strange, doesn’t it? But seriously, it’s ok. The old notion of the sleepy, quiet library, the place where the only noise is someone telling you to “shush,” it’s a thing of the past. We’re changing the very definition of a library. And our Library Loud Days (an ongoing series of concerts and events) is part of this change. We’re turning the Milwaukee Public Libraries into lively, vibrant gathering places. Places to converse and explore. Places filled with movies, music, art, e-books, e-mags, laptops, and of course, a couple million books. So come, join us and experience what the new definition of a library is all about. And leave your inside voice behind when you enter.

New Age Narcissism Concert & Street Party
July 28, 2016

Over 1,000 people came through the doors of Central Library to hear New Age Narcissism and to rediscover their MPL. Patrons, guests and families of all ages came through the doors, and the energy was amazing. Wisconsin Avenue was home to a party featuring food trucks and dancing in the street to the tunes played by D.J. O. City of Milwaukee Common Council President and former MPL Board Chairman Ashanti Hamilton helped welcome the crowd on stage and D.J. Reggie Brown from V-100 introduced the band. It was an evening to remember.

Thanks for the great show, New Age Narcissism!

Relive the Event

Photo Credit: Scott Paulus

Haunted Central

October 22-23, 2016

The Haunted Central Event

For two days patrons of all ages gathered at Central Library to shriek freely in a spooky space filled with activities, exhibits and scary stories. The main attraction, the truly haunted part, was an actual part of the library no one ever set foot in. And it’s for good reason; it’s the Forbidden Fourth Floor. Thousands of people entered. If they dared.

Relive the Event

Crush the Shush!

MPL Presents Mondo Lucha: Mexican Wrestling Comes to the Library

December 1, 2017

The Mondo Lucha Event

Over 300 people came through the doors of the Mitchell Street Branch Library on December 1, 2017 for a free wrestling event with Mondo Lucha – Milwaukee’s very own show-stopping Mexican-style professional wrestling show.

Patrons of all ages left their indoor voices at home and the energy was high as wrestlers competed in multiple matches where good prevailed and the books were spared. When the matches were over, patrons were able to tour the new Mitchell Street Branch and all its features, including: a maker space complete with a recording studio, audio and video edit stations, and a community kitchen.

The event is part of MPL’s Library Loud Days series, which offers free, fun and LOUD events to showcase the library as so much more than a place to check out books, but a place to converse, connect, explore and learn.

See video below to watch the event

MPL Live Rap Battle

October 17, 2019

The Rap Battle Event

Milwaukee Public Library got louder than ever as it hosted the “MPL Live: Rap Battle” as part of “Library Loud Days” this fall. The rap competition was open to all young aspiring MCs in Milwaukee. To compete, youth ages 16-21 were asked to record and submit an original track for the chance to participate in the live Rap Battle that took place at Milwaukee Central Library October 17, 2019. Hundreds of people turned out to cheer on the competitors and experience the library in a whole new way.

The finalists were judged by a panel of music industry professionals including recording artists WebsterX and IshDARR along with DJ Loop and Tyrone “DJ Bizzon” Miller, who served as MC of the event. In addition to the contestants, IshDARR gave a special performance of his own for attendees.

After three rounds of live competition, the judges narrowed it down from eight finalists to two. After a heated final rap battle, the winner, Victor “RB Vic” Barnett, Jr., was crowned the Rap Battle Champion and walked away with $1,000, a custom championship belt and a chance to perform on 88NINE Radio Milwaukee as part of their Studio 414 series. The runner-up, Timothy “Timboloneon the Great” Virgil, was also awarded $500.

The competition received over 50 submissions and was received with great enthusiasm and an impressive turn-out from the Milwaukee community. “Being loud in the library isn’t what people expect but being the anchor institution that we are, it is a critical a new way of thinking, and we are thrilled to partner with community members to help bring the library and all of its resources to life,” said Paula Kiely, Library Director.