West Allis Public Library
🏢 Milwaukee County Federated Library System · West Allis, Wisconsin
West Allis Public Library
The West Allis Public Library, housed in the heart of a densely urban Milwaukee County suburb, is a member of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System (MCFLS) — meaning one free card opens the catalogs of every Milwaukee-area public library. With four long weekday evenings until 8:30 p.m. and weekend access until 5:30 p.m., it is one of the most accessible libraries in the metro region.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:30am–8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–8:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–8:30pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–8:30pm |
| Friday | 9:30am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 9:30am–5:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 7421 W. National Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214
Phone: (414) 302-8503
Website: westallislibrary.org
Plus Code: 86MH2X6V+RV (West Allis, WI)
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📖 About West Allis Public Library
West Allis is a landlocked first-ring suburb southwest of Milwaukee with roots in manufacturing — the city was for decades synonymous with the Allis-Chalmers agricultural and industrial machinery company, which operated its enormous West Allis Works plant here from the 1900s through the 1980s. The West Allis Public Library at 7421 W. National Avenue serves this working-class community with a broad calendar of adult, family, and civic programming. It belongs to the Milwaukee County Federated Library System (MCFLS), whose shared catalog (countycat.mcfls.org) connects patrons to holdings across Milwaukee County's public libraries. The library's motto — "Fostering an Educated, Engaged, Enriched Community" — reflects a programming philosophy that spans book clubs, crafting meetups, estate-planning workshops, and the signature community reading program West Allis Reads. Wisconsin's statewide BadgerLink resource hub extends access to research databases, genealogy tools, and digital newspapers for every cardholder.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Member of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System (MCFLS) — one card opens the catalog of every Milwaukee County public library via countycat.mcfls.org
- Four weekday evenings open until 8:30 p.m. — among the latest evening hours of any library in the Milwaukee metro
- Community reading program West Allis Reads brings neighbors together around a shared book each year
- Active civic and adult programming: estate planning, fitness & wellness, crafting (Shear Joy fiber arts), and multiple book clubs
- Wisconsin's statewide BadgerLink provides cardholders free access to academic databases, genealogy records, and digital newspapers from home
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
West Allis cardholders get free digital access through Wisconsin's statewide resources and the MCFLS shared collection:
📚 Services
- Free library card — valid across all Milwaukee County Federated Library System libraries
- Public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- Meeting room and program space for community events
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Interlibrary loan through MCFLS and Wisconsin statewide
- Digital resource access: BadgerLink, Libby, hoopla and more
- Library newsletter (email subscription available)
- Voter registration assistance
🎸 Programs
- West Allis Reads — annual community reading program
- Book clubs: Lies & Alibis (mystery), Books & Coffee (fiction), and others
- Shear Joy: Fiber Art & Crafting Meetup (select Mondays)
- Cult Classics Movie Club (select Mondays)
- Leisure Learners adult education series (estate planning, Strengths Finder, wellness, and more)
- Summer reading program for children and teens
- Children's and family programs throughout the year
📍 Nearby Libraries in Milwaukee County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in West Allis · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Milwaukee County Federated Library System and how does it benefit West Allis residents?
The Milwaukee County Federated Library System (MCFLS) is a consortium of public libraries across Milwaukee County. A West Allis Public Library card works at any member library, and the shared CountyCat catalog lets you search, hold, and request items from the entire county system — so if West Allis doesn't own a title, a nearby Milwaukee County branch likely does and can send it your way.
What is BadgerLink and how do I use it from home?
BadgerLink is Wisconsin's statewide digital library, funded by the Department of Public Instruction. It provides free access to research databases, genealogy records, newspaper archives, and more to all Wisconsin residents — including West Allis cardholders. You can access it from any internet-connected device using your library card number at badgerlink.net.
What is West Allis Reads?
West Allis Reads is the library's annual community reading program, designed to bring West Allis neighbors together around a shared book. The library selects a title, provides discussion guides, and hosts community events — including author presentations when possible — to connect readers across the city.
Does the West Allis Public Library have evening hours?
Yes — the library is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., making it one of the most evening-accessible libraries in the Milwaukee metro. Friday and Saturday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
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