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A History of Jones Island

By Sarah Finn on Dec 9, 2022 12:00 AM

Milwaukee Historian John Gurda’s new film "People of the Port: A Jones Island Documentary" chronicles the history of the small area of Milwaukee known as Jones Island. Read more about it at the library!

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MPL Branch History: Tippecanoe

By Sarah Finn on Oct 17, 2022 12:00 AM

The history of the Tippecanoe Branch can be traced back to 1916 when it was located in the private home of Mary Moser in the Town of Lake. Renovated in 2015, the branch kept the mid-century stained glass and Manitou hanging sculpture by Guido Brink while adding a Secret Garden. Read more about it!

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The Sentinel Index

By Jill Fleck and Dan Kentowski on Sep 9, 2022 12:00 AM

The Business and Periodicals Department of the Milwaukee Public Library’s Central Library features a unique index of the Milwaukee Sentinel newspaper, covering its founding in 1837 through 1890. Learn more about this popular index, what it contains, and how to use it.

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Book by Book Summer Reading

By Beth Gabriel on Jul 15, 2022 12:00 AM

Hot books and cool library air conditioning create the perfect summer vibe (in our humble opinion). If you add in the Book by Book Adult Summer Reading challenge you’ll have a chance to win amazing prizes from our favorite Milwaukee places, setting you up for an amazing rest of your 2022.

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The History of Milwaukee's Brady Street

By Derek Reilly on Jul 8, 2022 12:00 AM

Brady Street is one of Milwaukee’s most widely known streets, located on the city's lower east side. While it was initially settled by German, Irish and Polish immigrants, Brady Street later became home to Milwaukee’s Italian community. Learn more about Brady Street and its annual festival.

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George Yep: Milwaukee's First Chinese American Lawyer

By Dan Lee on May 18, 2022 12:00 AM

George Yep earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1949 after distinguished service in World War II. He returned to Milwaukee to hang his shingle in the Plankinton Arcade. The Milwaukee Journal reported he was the first Chinese American lawyer in Milwaukee. Read more about this amazing individual.

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MPL Branch History: Bay View

By Paul Wellington on May 3, 2022 12:00 AM

The beginning of Bay View Library is attributed to Beulah Brinton who welcomed the community into her personal lending library in the 1870s. The current branch opened in 1993 in the wedge-shaped site at 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. The building is characterized by a curved roof and expansive windows, allowing ample natural light to illuminate the collections and spaces. Read more about it!

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Green Initiatives at MPL

By Derek Reilly on Apr 18, 2022 12:00 PM

The Milwaukee Public Library has become a leader in eco-friendly initiatives for the city in many ways. While some of the library's green initiatives have been around for decades, others are brand new. Read about the advancements MPL has made throughout the past 20 years and its "green plans" for the future.

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