Joan Johnson, director of the Milwaukee Public Library. She is the first Black woman to lead the system.

Formerly deputy director of public services.

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Content referencing Joan Johnson

Milwaukee Public Library Extends Sunday Hours in July
Milwaukee Public Library Announces New Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Press Release

Milwaukee Public Library Announces New Entrepreneur-in-Residence

The Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program Will Support Aspiring Business Owners Through Workshops, Mentoring and Library Resources

Khalif Rainey To Lead Office of African American Affairs

Khalif Rainey To Lead Office of African American Affairs

Plus: Mayor's new picks for lobbying leader, innovation director and labor negotiator.

Milwaukee Leaders Want State To Allow Red Light Cameras

Milwaukee Leaders Want State To Allow Red Light Cameras

Mayor Johnson, County Executive Crowley say cameras are proven tool for addressing reckless driving.

Celebrate Black History Month at the Milwaukee Public Library with a Challenge and Renowned Author Events
Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibition coming to the Milwaukee Public Library with programming co-sponsored by the Holocaust Education Resource Center
Milwaukee Public Library Connects Residents With Jobs
City Hall: Mayor Johnson Signs 2% Sales Tax Into Law
City Hall

Mayor Johnson Signs 2% Sales Tax Into Law

"Something huge, something major, something extraordinary," says Johnson of revenue deal, averting fiscal cliff.

Brewers Support Library Summer Reading Program
Press Release

Brewers Support Library Summer Reading Program

The Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation, with support from Brewers’ shortstop Willy Adames, presented $40,000 to the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation to support the library’s Summer Reading Program. The funds were presented at a pre-game event held on American Family Field.

Friday Photos: Construction Underway On Greenest Library in Milwaukee
Friday Photos

Construction Underway On Greenest Library in Milwaukee

New Martin Luther King Library will be a community hub, and provide housing for 93 households.

Eyes on Milwaukee: MLK Library Closes, Construction Starts On Replacement
Eyes on Milwaukee

MLK Library Closes, Construction Starts On Replacement

Old library at 3rd and Locust closing, new mixed-use facility being constructed.

City Hall: City May Close Libraries, Cut 25% of Police and Fire Departments
City Hall

City May Close Libraries, Cut 25% of Police and Fire Departments

Milwaukee faces $156 million fiscal cliff without state help.

Milwaukee Public Library Launches Online Merchandise Store
Press Release

Milwaukee Public Library Launches Online Merchandise Store

Promoting Digital Inclusion During National Library Week

Milwaukee Public Library Moves Forward With New Martin Luther King Branch
MPL to Host Community Conversations Seeking Input on Library Usage
City Hall: Library Poised To Cut Services At 5 Branches In 2023
City Hall

Library Poised To Cut Services At 5 Branches In 2023

Council debates what libraries and if service could be restored.

Milwaukee Public Library Receives Americorps Grant to Support Youth Literacy and Out-Of-School S.T.E.A.M. Learning
Milwaukee Public Library to Restore Full Service
Milwaukee Public Library Announces 2022-2023 Poet Laureate
City Hall: Cavalier Johnson Delivers Public-Safety Focused “State of the City” Speech
City Hall

Cavalier Johnson Delivers Public-Safety Focused “State of the City” Speech

Acting Mayor calls for three approaches to curb surge in violence.

City Completes Renaming Old World Third To Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

City Completes Renaming Old World Third To Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

Milwaukee fixes a 1984 "injustice" by extending King Drive through Downtown.

A New Leader for City’s Library System

A New Leader for City’s Library System

Who is Joan Johnson and how will she be changing the libraries?

27 Years As a City Librarian

27 Years As a City Librarian

Retiring Milwaukee Public Library director Paula Kiely reflects on how system has changed.

Gov. Evers, First Lady Share Hope this Holiday Season
Press Release

Gov. Evers, First Lady Share Hope this Holiday Season

More than 5,000 ornaments created by Wisconsin kids sent to veterans’ homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities across the state

Gov. Evers and First Lady Evers Invite Wisconsinites to See Executive Residence Holiday Decorations Honoring Heroes and Celebrating Hope
Press Release

Gov. Evers and First Lady Evers Invite Wisconsinites to See Executive Residence Holiday Decorations Honoring Heroes and Celebrating Hope

Decorations this year moved outside for visitors to enjoy safely during ongoing pandemic

MPL receives $100K from Impact100 to expand Hotspot program
Eyes on Milwaukee: Forest Home Library Is Historic. For Now
Eyes on Milwaukee

Forest Home Library Is Historic. For Now

Temporary designation stops development for 28 days. Hearing on permanent designation on November 30th.

MPL to Suspend Branch Library Services on Election Day
City Hall: Milwaukee Debuts New Ballot Drop Boxes
City Hall

Milwaukee Debuts New Ballot Drop Boxes

Approximately 150,000 people expected to vote absentee.

Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Available at 15 Locations across the City, Including 13 Milwaukee Public Library Branches
Eyes on Milwaukee: Inside the New Good Hope Library
Eyes on Milwaukee

Inside the New Good Hope Library

Years later than expected, new library is open. Was it worth the wait? Yes.

City Hall: Johnson Will Lead City’s Public Library System
City Hall

Johnson Will Lead City’s Public Library System

Joan Johnson will be first Black director in the library's 142-year history.

City Hall: Library Director Paula Kiely Retiring
City Hall

Library Director Paula Kiely Retiring

Kiely has led library since 2006, presided over great change.

Hard Hat Tour: Inside Tippecanoe Library
Hard Hat Tour

Inside Tippecanoe Library

Renovated library set to reopen Dec. 12th, looks drastically improved.

Is the The Spot 4MKE A Success?

Is the The Spot 4MKE A Success?

Creative Alliance Milwaukee has added life to 4th and Wisconsin, but dare we ask for more?

Ray Chi Selected to Commission Public Art at East Library
Press Release

Ray Chi Selected to Commission Public Art at East Library

Milwaukee Artist’s Concepts Will Activate Space on Cramer and North Avenue

Finalists Chosen for East Branch Public Art Project
Press Release

Finalists Chosen for East Branch Public Art Project

The Milwaukee Public Library Selects Four Local Artists To Present Plans for Third Public Art Installation

Artists Chosen for Milwaukee Public Library East Branch Public Art Project
Press Release

Artists Chosen for Milwaukee Public Library East Branch Public Art Project

Local Artists Awarded Two Commissions for Internal Public Art Works