February 13, 2009

NEWS FROM THE MAYOR

Dear Friends, 

In these challenging economic times, every cost-saving measure goes a long way. That’s why I am happy to see so many people taking advantage of the Milwaukee Public Library and all it has to offer. In December alone, visits to all library locations in the city were up 5.7 percent, and the number of materials that were checked out went up 11 percent.

One of my priorities has been bringing and keeping jobs in Milwaukee, and the library has always played a role in helping people prepare for such opportunities. Residents seeking help on how to write a resume, find a job online or complete job applications can stop by Center Street, Forest Home and Central libraries and receive assistance from trained library staff members. Small business owners can attend classes on how to find financial resources in print and online, and how to apply for a patent.

Whether you want to check out a book or DVD, use a computer with Internet access, attend a class or program, or relax by reading a newspaper or magazine, the library offers something for everyone. I especially encourage parents to bring their children to the library, where they can sign up for the summer reading program, attend story times and play dates, and even read to Rover, a certified therapy dog.

The best part about the Milwaukee Public Library is that its services, products, courses and events are all free. All you need is a library card, which you can get free of charge by bringing two forms of identification — such as a driver’s license, current utility bill or mail postmarked within the last 30 days — to your closest library. My family members each have a library card and use them regularly. For more information on how to obtain a card, or to search the library’s catalog, visit www.mpl.org.

By checking out books, DVDs and CDs rather than buying or renting them, Milwaukeeans can and do save millions of dollars each year. The Milwaukee Public Library has always provided exceptional value for all taxpayers, but now more than ever, I believe using this community resource is a must for everyone who is watching the family budget by looking for educational and entertainment bargains.

Mayor, City of Milwaukee 

Mayor Barrett addresses a crowd at historic Central Library to kick off the 2008 Big Read,
a communitywide celebration of reading, which the Milwaukee Public Library hosted.

Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor