Library · Milwaukee
Libraries in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public Library serves Milwaukee’s 577,895 residents from 13 locations. Last year it logged 1,157,773 visits, about 2.0 for every resident, and lent 1.6M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Milwaukee Public Library
814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee 53233
56 hrsopen a week
457,919sq ft
2.4Mbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#30
#30 of 30 · Most-used libraries in WI →Among WI towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#30 · Most library borrowing →#30 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1.2M
visits
2.0 per resident
1.6M
loans, print + digital
2.8 per resident
5,321
programs & events
87K attended
189K
library cards
33% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 100,000+ people
Per-resident numbers, compared only with libraries of a similar size across the country, because a tiny town’s library always looks busier per person.
Visits per resident
2.0 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.9 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (22th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.9 e-items · typical 1.4
A little below typical (35th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.7 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (15th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (27th percentile)
Cardholders
33% of residents
A little below typical (32th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
1.6M loans last year
Books & media (adults)43%Kids’ books & media24%E-books, audio & streaming33%
Who the programs are for
5,321 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$59 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $34M.
Local 46%State 5%Federal 42%Gifts & other 7%
Locations
Other libraries in Milwaukee
About these numbers
How to read this page
Hours are an averageThe survey reports a building’s public hours for the whole year. We divide by the weeks it was open, so check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
Compared by size“Similar-size” means libraries serving about as many people, nationwide. Per-resident numbers always flatter the smallest towns, so they’re never compared with big cities.
One year, the library’s own countLibraries report their own visits, loans and programs for fiscal year 2024. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.
Source: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Distances are straight-line from the town center.