South Milwaukee Public Library
🏢 Milwaukee County Federated Library System · South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
South Milwaukee Public Library
South Milwaukee Public Library has served this Lake Michigan shoreline community since 1917, building a collection that includes an extensive Library of Things — from projectors and karaoke machines to metal detectors and ukuleles — alongside statewide digital resources shared by all 18 Milwaukee County public libraries.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5pm |
| Thursday | 11am–7pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1907 10th Ave., South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Phone: (414) 768-8195
Website: smlibrary.org
Plus Code: 86JJW46Q+VQ (South Milwaukee, 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 South Milwaukee Public Library
The City of South Milwaukee, a compact industrial community on the Lake Michigan shore south of Milwaukee, has operated a public library since 1917. The current building at 1907 10th Avenue, constructed in 1967, serves as the community's primary information and gathering space. The library is governed by a seven-member board and belongs to the Milwaukee County Federated Library System (MCFLS), a consortium of 18 public libraries across Milwaukee County that share materials and resources through the unified CountyCat catalog. A dedicated Local History Collection, launched in 2021 with support from the South Milwaukee Historical Society and the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum, preserves scrapbooks dating from 1930 through 1992 and city government publications, making the library a key archive for the community's past. The library's mission — to enhance quality of life in a welcoming and innovative environment providing information and ideas for lifelong learning — is reflected in a robust Library of Things alongside traditional collections.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Serving South Milwaukee since 1917 — current 1967 building at 1907 10th Avenue
- Member of Milwaukee County Federated Library System (MCFLS) — one card opens 18 county libraries via CountyCat
- Extensive Library of Things: projectors, karaoke machines, metal detectors, ukuleles, Ozobots, 3D items and more
- Explorer Passes to Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Mitchell Park Domes and Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
- Local History Collection with scrapbooks from 1930–1992 and South Milwaukee city publications
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
South Milwaukee cardholders can stream, download and research free through Wisconsin's statewide and MCFLS digital collections:
📚 Services
- Library of Things — projectors, karaoke machines, metal detectors, ukuleles, Ozobots, cameras, tools and more
- Explorer Passes — Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Mitchell Park Domes, Schlitz Audubon
- Local History Collection with scrapbooks (1930–1992) and city government publications
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
- Meeting room available for community use
- Item renewal 24/7 at (414) 277-0183
- Interlibrary loan through MCFLS
🎸 Programs
- Children's programming and storytimes
- Teen programs and events
- Adult programs and lifelong learning opportunities
- Summer reading challenge for all ages
📍 Nearby Libraries in Milwaukee County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in South Milwaukee · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of items can I borrow from the Library of Things?
The South Milwaukee Library of Things includes technology (projectors, Bluetooth speakers, karaoke machines, ring lights, video game consoles), tools (bicycle repair kits, stud finders, cordless inflators), outdoor gear (binoculars, hiking poles), craft supplies (crochet hooks, knitting needles, ukuleles) and novelty items like metal detectors, Ozobots and Polaroid cameras — all free to borrow with a library card.
What museum passes does the library offer?
The library provides Explorer Passes to four area attractions: Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Mitchell Park Domes (The Domes) and Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis — ask at the circulation desk for current availability and loan terms.
What is the Milwaukee County Federated Library System, and how does it benefit South Milwaukee cardholders?
MCFLS is a consortium of 18 public libraries across Milwaukee County. South Milwaukee cardholders can borrow from any of the 18 member libraries and search the unified CountyCat catalog at southmilwaukee.countycat.mcfls.org. Items can also be renewed 24/7 by calling (414) 277-0183.
Does the library hold local history materials for South Milwaukee?
Yes. The Local History Collection, launched in 2021 with support from the South Milwaukee Historical Society and the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum, includes scrapbooks covering 1930 through 1992, city government publications and a finding aid for the library's physical archive collection — a valuable resource for researching the city's industrial and civic past.
📜 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 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 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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