Milwaukee Public Libraries Washington Park Library
Milwaukee, WisconsinThe Washington Park Library is welcoming to all neighborhoods that surround it. Visitors enjoy relaxing in the coffee shop (located in the lobby) while enjoying the view of the park. They may also attend a book club discussion of their favorite book in the library's community room located on the second floor. Participants in the library's adult literacy program can go to the Tutoring Room for private meeting with their tutors. Indeed, the Washington Park Library symbolizes community-building, economic development and an increase in the quality of life for residents of Lisbon Avenue Neighborhood Development Area, Sherman Park Neighborhood, and Washington Heights Neighborhood. Upon entering the library, customers have access to a library collection of 82,000 volumes of books, periodicals, newspaper, videos, CDs and DVDs. Special collections include an adult literacy collection, an African American collection, a job and career collection and collections that meet the information needs of the community. Many patrons come to the library to use computers for Internet research, compiling reports, job searching, resume writing, developing business plans and accessing personal e-mail. The facility has 30 computers and a computer center with 10 computers. The computer center allows presentations to small groups and classes. There is continued patron demand for more training, and with few other options for free training in the community, the Washington Park Library plays a very significant role in helping residents stay abreast of new technology. Sustainability facts: daylighting; ground-source heat pumps; energy-efficient glass; automated lighting controls; and geothermal heat pumps