Manitowoc Public Library
🏢 Manitowoc County Library System · Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Manitowoc Public Library
Manitowoc Public Library traces its roots to 1900 and a Carnegie building that opened in 1904; today its 52,000-square-foot lakefront home at 707 Quay Street houses the Idea Box Makerspace — with a Glowforge laser cutter, Cricut Maker, and 3D tools — alongside an open seven-day-a-week schedule.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–3pm |
| Sunday | 12pm–4pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 707 Quay St., Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: (920) 686-3000
Website: manitowoclibrary.org
Plus Code: 86PJ38RV+F4 (Manitowoc, WI)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Manitowoc Public Library
Manitowoc Public Library was founded in 1900 through the efforts of the Clio Club, a women's literary group that raised $4,700 over 1898 and 1899 to establish the city's first library. The city council accepted the donation in November 1899, and the library opened March 13, 1900 on the second floor of a building owned by the Torrison Company. Funding from Andrew Carnegie ($25,000) allowed a purpose-built Carnegie library to open on August 1, 1904, serving the community for six decades before a new facility on Hamilton Street opened in January 1967. The current 52,000-square-foot building at 707 Quay Street — twice the size of the previous location — opened September 2, 1998 at a cost of $6.2 million. Today the library is open seven days a week and runs the Idea Box Makerspace, a Library of Things collection (including Cricut Maker, Glowforge 3D laser cutter, blood pressure monitors, and projectors), notary services, one-to-one adult literacy tutoring, and test proctoring for adult learners. It also participates in the Manitowoc County Library System catalog (mani.ent.sirsi.net) and offers digital borrowing through BadgerLink and Libby.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1900 by the Clio Club with a $4,700 fundraising drive — later anchored by a 1904 Andrew Carnegie library, one of Wisconsin's historic Carnegie buildings
- Current 52,000-square-foot building at 707 Quay Street opened September 1998, offering two full levels of collections, services, and programming space
- Idea Box Makerspace with Glowforge 3D laser cutter, Cricut Maker, Cricut EasyPress, Apple iMacs with design software, Film Archiving Kit, and 3D Doodler pen
- Library of Things: Adventure Passes, Toy Library, Cake Pans, specialty games, blood pressure monitors, Happy Lamp, and more available for checkout
- Open seven days a week including Sunday noon–4pm — and offers notary services, test proctoring, and one-to-one adult literacy tutoring
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Manitowoc cardholders can read, research, and stream for free through the library's digital and statewide Wisconsin resources:
📚 Services
- Idea Box Makerspace with laser cutter, vinyl cutter, design software, and film archiving equipment
- Library of Things: toys, games, cake pans, specialty tech, Adventure Passes, and accessibility devices
- Notary services available to patrons
- Test proctoring for academic and certification exams
- One-to-one adult literacy tutoring (Adult Literacy Partners program)
- Homebound services for patrons unable to visit in person
- Meeting and study room reservations
- Public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, copying, scanning, and faxing
🎸 Programs
- Storytimes and youth programming for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-age children
- Teen programs and activities
- Adult programs including book discussion kits and community events
- Reading challenges and summer reading
- Idea Box Makerspace equipment badging sessions and workshops
- Community literacy support through Adult Literacy Partners
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northeast Wisconsin
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Manitowoc · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Manitowoc Public Library and what is its Carnegie connection?
The library was founded in 1900 by the Clio Club, a women's literary group that raised $4,700 to establish it. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie provided $25,000 for a purpose-built library that opened August 1, 1904 — one of the many Carnegie-funded public libraries built across America in the early 20th century. The library has since moved twice, opening its current 52,000-square-foot home at 707 Quay Street in 1998.
What can I borrow from the Library of Things?
The Library of Things includes specialty items such as cake pans (including novelty shapes), a Toy Library, Adventure Passes for local attractions, board games and puzzles, Concept Kits for young learners, blood pressure monitors, a Happy Lamp for light therapy, and technology items including a DLP projector and book discussion kits. Items are available at the Main Service Desk.
What is the Idea Box Makerspace and who can use it?
The Idea Box Makerspace is the library's creative technology lab, offering equipment including a Glowforge 3D Laser Cutter (age 18+), Cricut Maker (18+), Cricut EasyPress and Mini (18+), Apple iMacs with design software (13+), a Film Archiving Kit with Kodak scanner (18+), a 3Doodler Create+ pen (14+), and a DLP projector. Most equipment requires a badging session before use; contact the library at (920) 686-3000 for scheduling.
Is the library open on Sundays?
Yes — Manitowoc Public Library is open Sunday 12pm–4pm. Full weekly hours are Monday through Thursday 9am–8pm, Friday 9am–6pm, Saturday 9am–3pm, and Sunday 12pm–4pm.
📋 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 lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things 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 has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
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