Now @ MPL...

Zablocki Family Story Times
Introduce preschoolers to books and reading at our interactive story times featuring stories, crafts, songs, and fun for children ages 2 -5 and their parents or caregiver. Call 286-3055 to register. Special story times for child care centers; call to schedule.

Tuesdays, June 3 – July 29 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.

Bilingual English/Spanish Preschool Story Time
Preschoolers are invited to 45 minutes of stories, songs, finger plays, and crafts. There are no story times the week of June 30 – July 4th. Child care centers are welcome.

Forest Home
Thursdays, June 5 – July 31, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Zablocki
Wednesdays, June 4 – August 27, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Horas de cuentos bilingües para niños preescolares
Los niños preescolares están bienvenidos a 45 minutos de cuentos, canciones, juegos con los deditos y manualidades. No hay horas de cuentos durante la semana del 30 de junio hasta el 4 de julio. Se extiende también la invitación a las guarderías.

Forest Home
Los jueves, el 5 de junio al 31 de julio 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Zablocki
Los miercoles, el 4 de junio al 27 de agosto 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Forest Home Library is hosting an English Language Conversation Circle on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. starting July 7th. It is a great opportunity to practice basic conversational skills, learn English vocabulary and American expressions in a small group led by a native English speaker. Space is limited, so please call 414-286-3083 or see a librarian to register. Light refreshments will be provided.

Circulo de conversación en ingles en la Biblioteca de Forest Home. Practica sus habilidades básicas de conversación, aprender vocabulario en ingles y expresiones americanas en un grupo pequeño guiado por un hablante nativo de ingles. Espacio es limitado. Por favor de llamar al 414-286-3083 para inscribirse o hablar con un bibliotecario en la Biblioteca de Forest Home. Refrigerio ligero estará proveído.

*This program is sponsored by The American Dream Starts @ Your Library grant, Dollar General and The American Library Association.*

Homework Help is offered at the Central library and four neighborhood libraries for children in elementary school. Volunteers listen, guide and advise children with their homework needs. Hours are generally weeknights from 4 to 7 p.m. Please call the library for specific days and times. Adult volunteer mentors are needed October through May. If you have two hours per week to help, call one of these libraries and ask for details:

Atkinson 286-3068
Center Street 286-3090
Central 286-3091
Forest Home 286-3083
Martin Luther King 286-3098

Searching for a job? MPL has the resources to help you find a new career.

Did you know that three MPL libraries offer free, drop-in job searching help?

During these sessions, a job trainer specialist is available to help you learn how to complete online job applications, write a resume online, search online job listings, and obtain a free e-mail account.

Find these job sessions, funded by grants from the Miller Brewing Company and the Tellier Foundation, at the following locations:

Central Libary, Saturdays from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Center Street Library, Tuesdays from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. & Thursdays from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Forest Home Library, Mondays from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Also, our newly updated Job Seeker Help web page is a great source for links and information about local job opportunites, resume tips, and additional locations for job and resume help in Milwaukee.

And don't forget about all the great books you can check out about resumes, cover letters, and job interviews!

Informacion sobre como ofrecerle a su familia comidas y meriendas sanas con un presupuesto limitado. Almacenar alimentos adecuadamente para prevenir desperdicio, tambien como mantener los alimentos seguros. Ensenar a los ninos a comer de una manera divertida.

Cuando: Los martes, comenzando el 10 de noviembre desde la 1:00 pm a las 2:30 pm.
Donde: En la Biblioteca Forest Home.

Registrese para la clase con la bibliotecaria, el cupo es limitado.

Este programa es financiado por Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.

Need help creating a resume or filing out an online job application? Stop by one of our drop-in job help workshops! This program, funded through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant and made possible with funds from Northwestern Mutual Foundation, provides assistance to individuals searching for jobs. A job trainer specialist is available to help you learn how to complete online job applications, write a resume online, search online job listings and obtain a free e-mail account. Drop -in job help is available at:
Central Library : Tuesdays 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Fridays 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m., and Saturdays 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Atkinson Library: Tuesday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00p.m.
Bay View Library: Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Forest Home Library: Monday 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King:Monday 1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.

For the month of February, several of the neighborhood libraries are hosting an arts and crafts program inspired by the women of Gee's Bend and their famous quilts. Children will create their own quilt pattern using cut paper and other art supplies while they learn about these famous women and the historical significance of their quilts. This program is for children ages 5-12. Advanced registration is not necessary. Children and their parents may simply come into any of the participating libraries to create works of art based on the beautiful quilts of Gee's Bend.

Calling all teens ages 13-18! Stop into one of your participating neighborhood libraries on selected dates in March for the Super Smash Brothers Gaming Tournament. This gaming tournament is hosted by the Teen Advisory Board and sponsored by the Helen Bader Foundation. Teens can choose to compete at Bay View, Forest Home, Martin Luther King, Jr., or Mill Road for a chance to qualify for the finals at Central Library. Test your gaming skills for a chance to win bragging rights as well as prizes! Snacks will be provided, so come on over to get your game on!

Now that summer is in full swing, are you scrambling for fun, educational activities for your children to participate in? Fortunately, Milwaukee Public Library has a summer activity calender to help you figure it all out! For young children, all branch libraries as well as Central host the Preschool Story Time. Children of all ages have a choice of several programs and activities, including performances, games, and other fun activities! All the libraries also have awesome activities for teens such as Wii gaming, Book Bingo, Teen Jeopardy, ice cream socials and more! So check out the calendar and take your kids to your favorite branch for summer fun!
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Forest Home Library is hosting an English Conversation Circle on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. running from September 15th through December 15th.

It is a great opportunity to practice basic conversational skills, learn English vocabulary and American expressions in a small group led by a native English speaker.

Circulo de conversación en ingles en la Biblioteca de Forest Home. Practica sus habilidades básicas de conversación, aprender vocabulario en ingles y expresiones americanas en un grupo pequeño guiado por un hablante nativo de ingles.

Are you looking for enriching after school activities for your child or teen? The After-School Club can help! All branch libraries in the city of Milwaukee host after school activities such as crafts, games, arts, dramatic play, and more! The After-School Club offers separate session times for children and teens. Kids and teens can hang out with friends while engaging in fun activities. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the library at (414) 286-3011.

Would you like your child to have more assistance with their schoolwork? Milwaukee Public Library currently runs a program called Teacher in the Library. Certified teachers are available after school at selected libraries to help both children and their parents with academic support and encouragement. Children under eight years old must be accompanied by an adult. Check out the library's calendar of events to see when and where the Teacher in the Library program will be available for you!

Come to Central Library on March 5 to celebrate the 107th birthday of Theodor Geisel - more commonly known as Dr. Seuss! Join Browser the library lion and the Cat in the Hat for music, games and fun! Reel in a good time at the fish pond, meet REAL turtles and take part in silly stories.
Cookie hats will be available to decorate and eat, and have your face painted. Chris Fascione will provide live entertainment at 10:00 a.m. and noon, while Kidsplay will play at 11:00 a.m.
The fun begins at 10:00 a.m. and last until 1:00 p.m.

The celebration continues throughout the month at the neighborhood libraries!

Atkinson - featuring Fox and Branch
Wednesday, March 9, 6-6:45 p.m.

Bay View - featuring Kidsplay
Wednesday, March 9, 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Capitol - featuring Kidsplay
Monday, March 14, 6-6:45 p.m.

Center Street - featuring LaBak the Magician
Saturday, March 19, 2-2:45 p.m.

East - featuring LaBak the Magician
Monday, March 14, 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Forest Home - featuring LaBak the Magician
Tuesday, March 15, 6-6:45 p.m.

Martin Luther King - featuring LaBak the Magician
Wednesday, March 9, 6-6:45 p.m.

Mill Road - featuring Fox and Branch
Monday, March 7, 4-4:45 p.m.

Tippecanoe - featuring Kidsplay
Wednesday, March 16, 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Villard Avenue - featuring LaBak the Magician
Tuesday, March 8, 5:30-6:15 p.m.

Washington Park - featuring Kidsplay
Tuesday, March 8, 6-6:45 p.m.

Zablocki - featuring LaBak the Magician
Saturday, March 12, 1-1:45 p.m.

National Library Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide. This year's theme is "Create Your Own Story @ Your Library®". MPL continues to "create its own story" this year by encouraging library customers to use the self checkout kiosks at all 12 neighborhood libraries by holding a raffle at weeks end. Each time an MPL customer uses the self checkout during the week for their library materials, they may complete a raffle entry form. A gift bag will be awarded to a lucky winner at each neighborhood library branch at the end of the week. The re-useable eco-friendly gift bag includes a complimentary membership to the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library, MPL postcards, a mug, flash drive, Bookworm print, and more. Following the first drawing, the 12 neighborhood winners will be eligible for an additional grand prize
drawing for a behind-the-scenes tour of Central Library.
NOTE: The raffle opportunity will not be offered at Central Library downtown, as the self checkout
option is not available at this time.

Have you always been bored with chocolate and vanilla? Do you wish you could create your own custom flavor? Well, head to the library for one of the Ice Cream Challenges. If you love ice cream, this is the event for you. Compete against other teams by designing your own ice cream flavor. Bring your friends and we'll supply the goodies.

Forest Home Library: Tuesday, August 2nd, 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Villard Library: Tuesday, August 9th, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Atkinson Library: Wednesday, August 10th, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tippecanoe Library: Monday, August 15th, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mill Road Library: Monday, August 15th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Six Milwaukee Public Library branches now have laptops available for library cardholders to check out and use in the building. Technology specialists will be available at each of the branches to provide training and assistance for laptops and desktop computers. The laptops are available at:

Atkinson Library, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave.
Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave.
Martin Luther King Library, 310 W. Locust St.
Villard Avenue Library, 3310 W. Villard Ave.
Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd.

Four of these libraries, Forest Home, Martin Luther King, Villard Avenue, and Washington Park, offer bi-lingual computer assistance for Spanish speakers.

Funding for this program is provided by Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant which was provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This funding also improves the free broadband Internet service at all 13 MPL locations.

This program is available only to library customers with a valid library card. For more information, call (414)286-3011.

More than ever, kids rely on the internet to provide access to information for research, homework help, and entertainment. You can help ensure that your child is safely surfing for kid-friendly and computer-safe content by having them attend Web S.T.A.R.S.(Safety Training and Responsible Surfing). This class teaches kids ages 6-12 how to safely navigate the World Wide Web.

Classes will be offered throughout the month of September.

Forest Home - September 12, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

Mill Road - September 13, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

Washington Park - September 15, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

Martin Luther King - September 19, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

Center Street - September 20, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

Atkinson - September 21, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

There is no need to register for these classes. For more information, call (414)286-3011.

If you can't always be there to accompany your children when they're surfing the internet, maybe they should learn some internet safety. Kids can learn some web savviness at the library. They'll learn easy ways to safely explore the World Wide Web. Kids who participate earn their S.T.A.R.S. (Safety Training and Responsible Surfing) Certificate to become a Web Star! For ages 6-12.

Forest Home Library:
Monday, September 12 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Mill Road Library:
Tuesday, September 13 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Washington Park Library:
Thursday, September 15 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Library:
Monday, September 19 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Center Street Library:
Tuesday, September 20 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Atkinson Library:
Wednesday, September 21 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Beginning on September 12, several of the neighborhood libraries are hosting open houses. Families can meet library staff while browsing the library's collection of DVDs, CDs and books. Your child can enjoy a snack while making a library card wallet! Come to your local library to see what we have to offer for education and entertainment!

Zablocki Monday, September 12 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tippecanoe Monday, September 12 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Mill Road Monday, September 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Forest Home Tuesday, September 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

M.L. King Tuesday, September 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Washington Park Tuesday, September 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Capitol Tuesday, September 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Center Street Wednesday, September 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Bay View Thursday, September 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Beginning today, the library has open registration for our free computer classes. If you or someone you know has struggled with the basics of internet searching, setting up web based email, or using the Microsoft Office suite, please take advantage of the library's numerous locations that offer free classes for beginners. Enrollment is limited, and registration is already in progress. Call the library's Ready Reference hotline at (414) 286-3011 to register today!

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Forest Home Library on Tuesday, November 1st, with storyteller and writer Kay Elmsley Weeden! Kay will mesmerize you with bilingual stories that celebrate diversity and can "make tortillas dance!"

Day of the Dead
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
6:00 - 6:45 pm
Forest Home Library
1432 W. Forest Home Ave.
No registration required!

Make sure you come into your neighborhood library to grab any books you'll want to curl up with over the holiday weekend. All Milwaukee Public Library locations will be closed Friday, December 23rd through Monday, December 26th, of 2011. We hope that you enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday weekend.

Take the Bucks Reading Challenge! This statewide reading program starts Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012. Students in grades 3-10 can sign up at any Milwaukee Public Library. When you read 500 or more pages by Feb. 28th, you earn a voucher to mail in for a free ticket to a Milwaukee Bucks game! (Parent or guardian must purchase a discounted ticket at the same time). When you read 750 pages or more by Feb. 28, you get the ticket and a chance to win an autographed Bucks basketball or be recognized on the court at halftime!

Anyone interested in finding out more information on the program can call the Central Library Children's Room at 286-3091 for more details, or stop in at any Milwaukee Public Library location for information and to sign up.

Black History Month Read-In

February 1
Washington Park: 5:30-7 p.m.

February 6
Tippecanoe: 3-5 p.m.
Zablocki: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Atkinson: 4-6:30 p.m.
M.L. King: 4-6 p.m.
Mill Road: 4-7 p.m.

February 7
Villard Square: 3:30-7:30 p.m.
Capitol: 4-7 p.m.

February 8
Center Street: 4-7 p.m.
East: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Washington Park: 5:30-7 p.m.

February 11
Bay View: 12-4 p.m.

February 15
Washington Park: 5:30-7 p.m.

February 17
Central Library: 10 a.m.-12p.m.

February 21
Forest Home: 3:30-5:30 p.m.

February 22
Washington Park: 5:30-7 p.m.

February 29
Washington Park: 5:30-7 p.m.

Glitter Heart Paintings
Make a special project for the one you love! Create a glitter heart painting for your Valentine and decorate a delicious heart cookie. For children ages 6-12.

Monday, Feb. 13, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Zablocki, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Forest Home, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave

Valentine's Day Celebration
Make a creative card or craft this year for family and friends. We will supply the materials and snacks.

Monday, Feb. 13, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Atkinson, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Villard Square, 5190 N. 35th St.

Elephant and Piggie Valentine's Day Party
Did you know that Gerald and Piggie first met in February? Share the love and celebrate Valentine's Day Elephant and Piggie Style! Activities and crafts will be based on the books by Mo Willems.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Bay View, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

Classes are held the following dates and times:

Regristration begins today, May 21st, and ends June 11th. Don't wait, register now!
Call (414) 286-3011, or sign up online at www.mpl.org

Registration begins today for Milwaukee Public Library's July-August 2012 Free Computer Classes! With knowledgeable instructors and hands-on experience MPL's computer classes are perfect for those with little to no computer experience as well as those looking to learn more about Microsoft Word and Excel by taking our Intermediate classes.
Space is limited so call 414-286-3011 today to reserve your seat. You can also register in person at any Milwaukee Public Library location or online at www.mpl.org.

Sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation and American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Award 55-42B10549.

Are you curious about digital photography? Join us for Say Cheese! to take photographs of the library and learn how to capture terrific images, edit and enhance photos and manage your collection of digital photos. Registration is required; call 414.286.3011 or register online. Click here to see when classes are available.

Facebook has become a multi-generational phenomenon which has affected the social life and activity of people in exciting ways. Facebook allows users to continuously stay in touch with friends, relatives and other acquaintances wherever they are in the world. Learn how to update and edit an account, connect with other Facebook users and much more! Registration is required; call 414.286.3011 or register online. This program will be available at various times and locations. Click here to see if your neighborhood library is offering this free workshop.