Brewer Public Library
🏢 Southwest Wisconsin Library System · Richland Center, Wisconsin
Brewer Public Library
Brewer Public Library, named for Richland County native Dr. A. Keith Brewer (1893–1986) and dedicated November 16, 1969, is Richland Center's public library and home to the Richland County History Room — a genealogy and local history archive that draws researchers from across the country to the birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 325 N. Central Ave., Richland Center, WI 53581
Phone: (608) 647-6444
Website: richlandcenterwi.gov
Plus Code: 86MF8JQ7+2V (Richland Center, WI)
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📖 About Brewer Public Library
Brewer Public Library serves Richland Center, the Richland County seat in southwestern Wisconsin, in a building whose groundbreaking took place April 7, 1968 and whose dedication was held November 16, 1969. The library is named for Dr. Aubrey Keith Brewer (1893–1986), a Richland County native who taught science locally before going on to a distinguished career in naval research. Today the library is a member of the Southwest Wisconsin Library System and provides the community with books, digital media, public computers, meeting rooms, and free access to BadgerLink statewide databases. It also houses the Richland County History Room, staffed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 am–4 pm, which holds photographs, manuscripts, and genealogical records for Richland County families. The library operates on a fine-free model for overdue materials. Richland Center is also the birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright (born 1867), and visitors researching the architect's roots often stop at the History Room.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Dr. A. Keith Brewer (1893–1986), Richland County native and naval scientist; dedicated November 16, 1969
- Houses the Richland County History Room — photographs, manuscripts, and genealogical records (Mon/Wed/Fri 9am–4pm)
- Fine-free library — no overdue fines for any patron
- Member of the Southwest Wisconsin Library System with access to shared consortium resources
- Located in Richland Center, birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright (1867) — history researchers visit from across the U.S.
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Brewer cardholders access Wisconsin's statewide and consortium digital collections for free:
📚 Services
- Richland County History Room — photographs, manuscripts, genealogical records (Mon/Wed/Fri 9am–4pm)
- Nine public computers with internet access and free Wi-Fi
- Printing (B&W $0.25, color $0.50), laminating, faxing, and copying
- Meeting room and study space reservations
- Tech help appointments
- Fine-free borrowing — no overdue fines
- UPS drop box on premises
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytime and Little Sprouts Circle Time
- Pokémon Club for youth
- Teen scavenger hunts and youth activities
- Summer reading program and Beanstack reading challenges
- Community workshops (budgeting, consumer topics)
- Friends of the Brewer Public Library events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southwestern Wisconsin
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Richland Center · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was A. Keith Brewer, and why is the library named for him?
Dr. Aubrey Keith Brewer (1893–1986) was born on October 20, 1893 in Richland Township, Richland County, Wisconsin. He taught science in Richland Center and went on to a distinguished career in naval science and research. The library building, whose groundbreaking was April 7, 1968, was named in his honor and dedicated on November 16, 1969.
What is the Richland County History Room, and how do I access it?
The Richland County History Room, located upstairs in the north end of Brewer Public Library, holds historical photographs, manuscripts, genealogical records, and memorabilia for Richland County families. It is staffed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. Researchers — including many tracing ancestry or exploring the birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright — visit from across the country.
Does Brewer Public Library charge overdue fines?
No. Brewer Public Library operates on a fine-free model, meaning patrons are not charged overdue fees for late materials. This applies to all borrowers, making it easier for the whole community to use the library without financial barriers.
What connection does Richland Center have to Frank Lloyd Wright?
Richland Center is the birthplace of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who was born here in 1867. Visitors researching Wright's life and early roots often consult the Richland County History Room at Brewer Public Library, which holds local historical records from the era. The city's A.D. German Warehouse (1915–1921), one of Wright's works, is also located in Richland Center.
📜 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 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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