Menomonee Falls Public Library
🏢 Bridges Library System · Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls Public Library
Founded in 1906 in a second-floor room next to a dental office, the Menomonee Falls Public Library has grown into a 52,941-square-foot building on Pilgrim Road that earned Wisconsin Library of the Year honors in 1981 — and now houses The Forge makerspace, two CoLAB collaborative suites and a dedicated Local History Room.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: W156N8436 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Phone: (262) 532-8900
Website: menomoneefallslibrary.org
Plus Code: 86MH5VCW+HG (Menomonee Falls, WI)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Menomonee Falls Public Library
The Menomonee Falls Public Library has served Washington County's largest village since March 26, 1906, when commissioners approved its establishment with a small collection from the Wisconsin Free Library Commission's traveling library program. The library's first librarian, Maude Schlafer, gave fifty years of service — the building was named the Maude Shunk Library in her honor in 1956. After relocating four times, the library moved in 1967 to a dedicated municipal center building with the help of the Kiwanis Club, then in 2003 opened the current 52,941-square-foot facility on Pilgrim Road. In 1981, the library was named Wisconsin Library of the Year and helped establish what became the Waukesha County Federated Library System, today known as the Bridges Library System. Inside the building, patrons find The Forge — a second-floor makerspace with a 3D printer, embroidery machine, sewing supplies and craft materials — two CoLAB collaborative spaces reservable by cardholders, a Local History Room with a Digital History Lab, and museum Explore Passes for regional attractions.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded March 26, 1906 — Wisconsin Library of the Year in 1981 and a founding partner of the Bridges Library System
- 52,941-square-foot building opened 2003 at the municipal center on Pilgrim Road in Menomonee Falls Village
- The Forge makerspace on the second floor: 3D printer, embroidery machine, sewing supplies, crafts and The Forge Jr. for children
- Two reservable CoLAB collaborative suites with Smart TVs and whiteboards, each accommodating up to 7 people
- Local History Room with Digital History Lab, plus Explore Passes for the Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum and more
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Menomonee Falls cardholders borrow, stream and research free through Wisconsin's statewide and Bridges consortium collections:
📚 Services
- The Forge makerspace: 3D printer, embroidery machine, sewing supplies, button maker and craft materials — free for cardholders
- The Forge Jr. creative activities in the Children's Department
- Two CoLAB collaborative spaces with Smart TVs and whiteboards, reservable up to 2 weeks in advance
- Local History Room and Digital History Lab for genealogy and community research
- Explore Passes: free/reduced admission to Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Mitchell Park Domes and more
- Public computers, printing from home or in-library, fax service and free Wi-Fi
- Home Delivery Program for residents unable to visit
- Exam proctoring and online class support
- Interlibrary loan through the Bridges Library System
🎸 Programs
- Weekly storytimes for children (ages 0–12)
- Teen Hangout Wednesdays and teen programming
- Monthly adult events including crafts, estate planning talks and author presentations
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Genealogy and local history programming
- Book clubs and reading challenges
📍 Nearby Libraries in Waukesha & Milwaukee Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Menomonee Falls · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Menomonee Falls Public Library and where has it been located?
The library was established on March 26, 1906, starting in a second-floor room in the Fraser Building. It moved four more times — to Main Street, Lincoln School, Village Hall, and a 1967 municipal center building — before the current 52,941-square-foot building on Pilgrim Road opened in 2003.
What is The Forge and who can use it?
The Forge is the library's second-floor makerspace — a free collaborative workspace for cardholders with equipment including a 3D printer, embroidery machine, sewing and textile supplies, craft materials, and a button maker. Children under 14 must have a parent or guardian present. Some equipment requires a brief training badge before first use. The Forge Jr., in the Children's Department, offers age-appropriate creative activities for younger visitors.
What are the CoLAB spaces and how do I reserve one?
The library has two CoLAB collaborative rooms on the second floor, each seating up to 7 people and equipped with a Samsung Smart TV monitor and whiteboard. Cardholders can reserve either space up to two weeks ahead for up to 3 hours, with a maximum of 2 reservations per week. Reservations are made online; arriving 5 minutes early is recommended as no-shows forfeit their booking after 15 minutes.
Does the library offer museum passes?
Yes — Explore Passes give cardholders free or discounted admission to regional attractions, including the Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Mitchell Park Domes, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Wisconsin Historical Society sites and others. Passes are located on the Lucky Day shelf in the lobby, check out for three days, and cannot be placed on hold.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes 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.
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