If you've ever been in the Central Library, you may have noticed the beautiful and locked (most of the time) room on the second floor. This is the Richard E and Lucile Krug Rare Books Room.
If you're very lucky, you may even have been inside this room, and noticed the books locked away just the other side of the glass barrier. The rare books of MPL's collection lie on the other side of the glass.
The rare books collection, held in trust for the citizens of Milwaukee, includes over 7,000 items of special value, such as signed first editions, materials published before 1868, unique materials such as miniature books, and rare items of local historical and cultural significance.
Now, a complete list of these books are available through the library's catalog.
The books in Rarities can be viewed by appointment only through the Arts, Music and Recreation Department at the Central Library. They can be reached at (414) 286-3071 to make an appointment.