Now @ MPL...

If you are looking for ways to get healthy and stay fit, start at your library!

Learning new skills keeps your brain healthy and can lower your risk of developing dementia-- activating strategic, spatial, and memory parts of the brain.

Join us for the next free program in MPL's Fit for Life series, a national program of Libraries for the Future, made possible by generous support from MetLife Foundation. Add a touch of sparkle to your life - it's easy! Learn to create a memory wire bracelet at these locations:

Tippecanoe Library
3912 S. Howell Avenue
414.286-3085
Monday, September 28, 2009
6:30pm-7:30pm

Atkinson Library
1960 W. Atkinson Ave
414.286-3068
Monday, October 19th, 2009
6:30pm-7:30pm

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.

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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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.

Check out what our neighborhood library book clubs are reading in October and join the discussion!

What else can you do with moist, delectable, cream-filled sponge cake also known as a Twinkie? Find out for yourself at Twinkie Masterpieces, held for both kids and teens on January 10 and 12, 2011. This special kids club event will be held at Tippecanoe and Bayview, and the event for teens will also be held at both libraries. Kick- off the new year by making masterpieces out of twinkies and other edible materials. Participants will vote, and awards will be given for the craziest and most delicious looking!
For more information, or if you have any questions, call (414)286-3011.

Join us for a special teen club event at Tippecanoe library on Monday February 14 for an anti-Valentine's day party! If you're tired of sappy love songs and the endless parade of Valentine's themed commericals, come to the library and create a mix of non-romantic songs, decorate broken-hearted cookies and make anti-Valentines.

This event runs from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. For more information, call (414)286-3011.

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.

The HVAC system at Tippecanoe Library is repaired. We reopen Friday, July 22 at 10 a.m.

Tippecanoe Library and all other Milwaukee Public Library locations are designated "cool spots" and have extended hours through Friday, July 22. Central Library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. All Neighborhood Libraries are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Regular hours resume at all MPL locations on Saturday, July 23.

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.

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.

Make it an Elephant and Piggie night by coming to Tippecanoe's Elephant and Piggie party on Monday, September 19th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Mo Willems' lovable duo are favorites of both kids and adults. The party will include Elephant and Piggie stories, activities and crafts. No registration required. Can't wait until Monday? Pick up some of these Elephant and Piggie favorites at your local library before the party! Click on the book covers for more information.

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!

Come to Central Library on Saturday, September 24 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. for Harvest Fest! Entertainment includes the Chickadees at 10:00 a.m., The Spoon Man at 11:00 a.m. and Truly Remarkable Loon at 12:00 p.m. There will also be pumpkins, cider, story time, face painting, and visits from special guests Browser the Library Lion and the Penworthy Bear.

If you can't make this Saturday's Harvest Fest, come to one of the neighborhood library's Harvest Fest celebrations!

Martin Luther King Library Tuesday, October 4 from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Featuring Hoffer's Animal Adventure, crafts and snacks.

Atkinson Library
Wednesday, October 5 from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sing and dance with Fox and Branch

East Library Wednesday, October 5 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Featuring Hoffer's Animal Adventure, crafts and snacks.

Tippecanoe Library Monday, October 10 from 6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Featuring Hoffer's Animal Adventure, crafts and snacks.

Capitol Library Tuesday, October 11 from 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Featuring Hoffer's Animal Adventure, crafts and snacks.

Washington Park Library Tuesday, October 11 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Featuring story time, "Pin the Hat on the Scarecrow," crafts, apple cider and snacks.

Center Street Library Saturday, October 15 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Featuring Hoffer's Animal Adventure, crafts and snacks.

Put on your fanciest attire and come to Tippecanoe Library for a very special Fancy Nancy Tea Party! Our special evening will include tea and snacks with Fancy Nancy. Learn the fancy way to have tea, participate in fancy activities and listen to a Fancy Nancy story.

Get ready for the fancy tea party with the library's collection Fancy Nancy books!

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.

It's not too late to get your copy of The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch from the library and start reading. Come to the Tippecanoe Library's discussion of The Last Lecture on Wednesday, February 8th and join the discussion of this life affirming story of a computer science professor, Randy Pausch, who treats every day as precious since his diagnosis of terminal cancer.

Date: 2/8/2012
Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Library: Tippecanoe
Other Information: Free! New members welcome. The book group will continue to meet the second Wednesday of each month (except December).
Contact Number: 414.286.3011

If you're a teen that missed the opportunity to participate in Bay View library's Smoothie Challenge, don't despair! This event will also be held at Tippecanoe and Washington Park on Monday, April 16, Center Steet on Wednesday, April 18, and Atkinson on Monday, April 30.
Compete against other teams by creating your own healthy and delicious smoothie. Bring your friends and we'll supply the fresh ingredients. This event is free and registration is not required.

For more information call (414)286-3011.

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.

Teens who haven't finished finding gifts for their friends and loved ones can come to Center Street Library for two events this week.

First, tonight teens can make beautiful origami ornaments to take along and use as holiday gifts. Materials will be supplied, and the program is free to attend, so all someone needs to attend is creativity and the willingness to learn a new skill. This program is tonight, Tuesday December 18th, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 7 PM.

Teens in grades six through eight will have a chance to sip hot cocoa and wrap holiday gifts on Wednesday December 19th. The library will have supplies on hand to create some original last minute gifts too. This last minute gift program will be from 6:30 PM to 7:15 PM.

For all the kids looking for an opportunity to create some last minute gifts, check out the other times for the last minute gift programs here! Tippecanoe will offer this program too.