Milwaukee Public Library
Press Release

Milwaukee Public Library’s East Library Will Relocate to Temporary Facility This Summer and Hold Public Meeting on Design in April

Library Will Use Temporary Site During Construction of East Branch

By - Mar 26th, 2013 11:19 am

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Public Library’s (MPL) East Library will be relocated during the construction phase of the new East Branch at 1910 East North Avenue. The library will move to a temporary site located at 2430 North Murray Avenue this summer.

East Branch is part of a multi-use development featuring 99 apartments, a 16,000 square-foot library and retail space on the first floor and underground and surface parking. The new branch will have dedicated surface parking. The development project, headed by HSI Properties, LLC, is targeted for completion in late 2014.

“Our libraries provide a vital link to technology, lifelong learning and community,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “We look forward to offering a new branch that meets the needs of patrons today and well into the future.”

The temporary library site will include the basic services valued by patrons: onsite parking, ADA accessibility, laptop computers, a collection of popular materials for check-out, hold pick-ups and an external book drop. There will be limited service interruptions during the move. Dates for closure of the current library site and opening of the temporary site will be announced later this spring.

Community input will be sought on design concepts for the new library at a public meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 6:00 pm at East Library. The architectural firm Hammel Green & Abrahamson Inc. (HGA) was selected by the Board of Trustees to design the new library space.

“We are excited to share some of the new design concepts with the public in April,” said Library Director Paula Kiely. “Following the success of the new Villard Square Branch, we will have a library that encourages a sense of community and incorporates the natural features around it.”

“Since the beginning, we have committed to making this an open and informed process by gathering public input,” said Library Board Trustee and Alderman of the third district, Nik Kovac. “We want residents to feel a sense of ownership and pride that translates to greater use of their new library.”

Updates on the East Library project can be found on the library’s website www.mpl.org. Updates will also be available on the MPL Facebook page and twitter feed @MilPubLib.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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