Appleton Public Library
🏢 Appleton Public Library · Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton Public Library
Appleton Public Library — named Wisconsin Library of the Year for 2025 — reopened in a newly renovated downtown building on North Appleton Street, bringing 128 years of public library tradition into a modern, welcoming space for the Fox Cities community.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 12 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 200 N. Appleton Street, APPLETON, WI 54911
Phone: +1-920-832-6173
Website: apl.org
Plus Code: 86PH7H7V+FJ (APPLETON, WI)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Appleton Public Library
Community reading rooms have served Appleton since 1887, and the formal Appleton Public Library opened on September 1, 1897, in council chambers on College Avenue. By 1926 it was one of the first libraries in Wisconsin to systematically track reference questions, and in 1995–1996 it developed the state's first public library website while offering some of the earliest free public internet access in the country. After operating for decades at 225 N. Oneida Street, the library relocated to a renovated facility at 200 N. Appleton Street in 2025 — the same year it earned the Wisconsin Library of the Year designation. The library went fine-free in 2021, removing financial barriers to access for all Appleton residents. Today it belongs to the Outagamie Waupaca Library System and offers Creation Studios for maker activities, study and conference rooms, notary services, genealogy research tools, a homebound delivery program, and the full suite of BadgerLink statewide databases.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 2025 Wisconsin Library of the Year — state's highest library honor
- Opened Wisconsin's first public library website (1995–1996) and offered early free internet access
- Fine-free since 2021 — no overdue fines ever charged
- Creation Studios for 3D printing, recording, and hands-on maker projects
- Walking Books Home Delivery for homebound residents and "Bring the Library to You" community outreach
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
BadgerLink — Wisconsin's free statewide digital library — gives every Appleton cardholder access to academic databases, newspapers, genealogy tools, and more.
📚 Services
- Creation Studios (3D printing, recording, makerspace tools)
- Community meeting room and study/conference rooms
- Notary public services
- Computers, printing, copying, and faxing
- Technology assistance
- Walking Books Home Delivery for homebound patrons
- Curbside material pickup
- Genealogy and local history research
- Tax forms access
- Small business and job seeker resources
- Group library tours
🎸 Programs
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and 500 Books Before Middle School reading challenges
- Artist-in-residence and poet laureate programs
- Field trips and school-group visits
- Adult learning and lifelong-learning workshops
- Community outreach through "Bring the Library to You"
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Fox Cities Area
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in APPLETON · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Appleton Public Library move to its current location?
The library relocated to 200 N. Appleton Street in 2025 following a major renovation. The same year it earned the Wisconsin Library of the Year designation — Wisconsin's highest honor for public library service. The library has been serving Appleton since 1897 and previously operated for decades at 225 N. Oneida Street.
Does Appleton Public Library charge overdue fines?
No. The Appleton Public Library became fine-free in 2021, meaning no overdue fines are ever charged on library materials. This policy removes financial barriers and encourages everyone in the community to use the library without worry about fees.
What is the Creation Studios space at Appleton Public Library?
Creation Studios is the library's makerspace, equipped for 3D printing, audio recording, and hands-on maker projects. It's available to cardholders who want to create, prototype, and learn new skills. Contact the library at 920-832-6173 or visit apl.org for current equipment and reservation details.
Does Appleton Public Library offer services for homebound residents?
Yes. The library's Walking Books Home Delivery program brings library materials directly to residents who are unable to visit in person due to illness, disability, or age. The "Bring the Library to You" outreach program extends services further into the community. Call 920-832-6173 to learn more and enroll.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 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.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.