Monroe Public Library
🏢 South Central Library System (SCLS) · Monroe, Wisconsin
Monroe Public Library
Monroe Public Library has served Green County's Swiss-heritage county seat from the Historic Square since its Carnegie-grant-funded Arabut Ludlow Memorial Library opened in 1905, and today holds the distinction of being the only public library in Wisconsin with a public school system as its governing municipality.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 12pm–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 925 16th Ave., Monroe, WI 53566
Phone: (608) 328-7010
Website: monroepubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 86JGJ926+W2 (Monroe, 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 Monroe Public Library
Monroe Public Library traces its origin to overlapping 19th-century initiatives — the Young Men's Literary Association, Lida Conde Ludlow's reading room in the basement of the Universalist Church, and the Women's Club. The modern library era began in 1905 when the Ludlow family donated $12,500 matching a Carnegie Foundation grant and the Arabut Ludlow Memorial Library opened on the square, serving the community for over 90 years. After the Friends of the Library formed in 1990 and raised $330,000, Monroe voters approved a $1.65 million referendum, and the current library opened April 8, 1996, in a former clinic building on the Historic Square. Renovations in 2014 brightened the space and created distinct areas for all ages. Monroe holds the rare distinction of being the only Wisconsin public library with a public school district — not a municipality or county — as its governing body. It belongs to the South Central Library System (SCLS) and circulates over 221,000 items annually from a collection of roughly 62,000 volumes.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Arabut Ludlow Memorial Library opened 1905 on Carnegie grant matching Ludlow family gift; current building opened April 8, 1996 after $1.65M community referendum
- Only public library in Wisconsin governed by a public school district — a legally unique status among the state's 380+ public libraries
- Located on Monroe's Historic Square in the heart of Green County's Swiss cheese capital
- Renovated 2014 with bright, multi-age spaces; after-hours material pickup via lockers and home delivery for homebound patrons
- Circulates over 221,000 items a year from 62,000 volumes for a service population of 18,446 residents
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Monroe Library cardholders access Wisconsin's statewide digital resources and the SCLS consortium at no charge:
📚 Services
- Notary Public — Brooke Bauman, staff notary; available by appointment (Spanish-speaking notary also available)
- After-hours material pickup via lockers with library card
- Home delivery service for homebound patrons who qualify
- Mobile printing — email documents to staff for pickup
- Fax service — $1/page outgoing; free scanning to USB
- Exam proctoring for distance-education students (by arrangement with director)
- Public computers with online reservation system and free Wi-Fi
- Curbside service by appointment
🎸 Programs
- Kids and teen programming including storytimes and seasonal events
- Book clubs and adult community events
- Educator support and classroom resources
- Friends of the Library activities, volunteering and donation drives
- Historic walking tours via downloadable PDF maps
📍 Nearby Libraries in South-Central Wisconsin
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Monroe Public Library unique in Wisconsin?
Monroe Public Library is the only public library in the state of Wisconsin with a public school system — rather than a municipality or county — serving as its governing municipality. This makes it a legally unique institution among Wisconsin's more than 380 public libraries, and it's a point of local pride the library has documented on its history page.
What is the history of the Monroe Public Library building?
The Carnegie-grant-funded Arabut Ludlow Memorial Library opened in 1905 on Monroe's Historic Square and served the community for over 90 years, with ten library directors during that time. After community fundraising and a 1996 voter referendum ($1.65 million), the library moved April 8, 1996, to a former clinic building on the same square. Renovations in 2014 created a brighter, more comfortable multi-age space.
Does Monroe Public Library have a notary public?
Yes. Staff member Brooke Bauman is a commissioned Notary Public available to notarize documents by appointment. A Spanish-speaking notary option is also available. Contact the library at (608) 328-7010 to schedule.
Can I pick up holds after the library closes?
Yes. Monroe Public Library offers after-hours material pickup through lockers — patrons with a library card can retrieve held items outside of regular hours. Curbside pickup by appointment is also available during open hours. For homebound patrons who qualify, home delivery service is offered.
📋 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 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.
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