Waukesha Public Library

If you ask someone who lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin, what the Waukesha Public Library is, they will probably think of the building with the big windows where they borrow books and possibly go to the events the library puts on. The current building is geographically in the center of Waukesha, Wisconsin. It has grown to be 71,566 square feet in size. The library’s mission is “Waukesha Public Library champions the power of reading and learning to enrich, empower and engage all in our community” and they emphasize the values of people, community, creative discovery, inclusivity, civility and respect, excellence, accountability, and passion.

What is now the Waukesha Public Library was first created by the women-based Beacon Lights Reading Club, which met on Mondays to read and discuss books. In 1896, there was no library, so they had wanted to create a library for themselves- allowing the public to use it was the ultimate goal- to borrow books from. Thus, the idea for the Waukesha Public Library was born. Along with other Waukesha area women’s clubs, the women placed their collection of donated books at the home of Miss Ells at No. 103 Carroll Street in May of 1896. Miss Ells opened up her home in the afternoon and evenings on Monday, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. She also kept a record of who borrowed and returned what for a compensation of three dollars per week. On September 5th, the women decided to charge one dollar for yearly dues to the members who visited the library. In March of 1987, there were so many members, that they decided to rent a room at 135 Broadway for ten dollars a month. 

Up to this time period, the soon-to-be public library only consisted of women and the popularity of the library was rising. January, 1900 was the first time men became involved in the library- with a man becoming president of the library committee. In 1902, things escalated with the library. Andrew Carnegie was sent a message in January asking for money to help pay for the construction of a building specifically for the library. That following March, Carnegie agreed to donate $15,000 as long as the city provided $1,500 a year for maintenance. Construction, led by C.C. Anderson of Waukesha, was finished and the library opened in 1904. This became the 16th Carnegie-funded library.

Prior to Carnegie’s donation and the construction of the library building, Waukesha’s library was complemented at the twenty-third general meeting of the American Library Association. The American Library Association held their meeting in Waukesha, Wisconsin from July fourth to July tenth, 1901. Mrs. Youmans, the president of the Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs, stated that 

“Now, the library (Waukesha Public Library) is not large; it is not, from a technical point of view, fine; and it certainly lacks many things that we hope to have in the future; but it has 2500 volumes, generally read and much valued by the people, it has become established as a regular necessary part of the municipal life, and I think it is sure of a regular though moderate support from the public funds.”4

This speech was given three years before the new library opened, so the library was still located at 135 Broadway. The comment made by Youmans recognized the importance of the library to the community of Waukesha due to the fact that many people had been borrowing books through the library. 

After the construction of the library building, there were five additions and renovations, including the most recent one in 2010. The 2010 renovation included the creation of both a tween space and an early learning center called "321 Alphabet Square." The company who designed the new space, the Engberg Anderson Design Partnership, was honored by the Wisconsin chapter of the American Society of Interior Design and received their platinum award. 2011 was also the year that the library won the Wisconsin Library of the Year award from the Wisconsin Library Association. The library was said to exceed in the five criteria areas: distinguished achievement in service and excellence in the areas of collections, user-oriented services, cooperation with other libraries and organizations, opportunities for professional growth, and changes or improvements to physical facilities that result in improved service to their communities.

The current public library building is located at Cutler Park, which is named after Morris Cutler (1810-1897). Cutler was the first white settler of Waukesha, Wisconsin, originally called Prairie Village, in 1834. After he passed away, Waukesha paid $30,000 for nine acres of his land along with the stipulation that it would always be public land. Cutler Park is also the home of the Les Paul Performance Center, which hosts concerts during the summer. Les Paul, nicknamed “the Wizard of Waukesha,” was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin and became a well-known musician and maker of the Les Paul guitar. 

1. “About the Waukesha Public Library,” Waukesha Public Library, Accessed December 3, 2020, https://waukeshapubliclibrary.org/about/.
2. “Cutler,” The City of Waukesha Wisconsin, Accessed December 3, 2020, https://waukesha-wi.gov/facilities/facility/details/Cutler-23.
3. “Historical souvenir: Free Public Library: Waukesha, Wisconsin, opening January sixth, nineteen hundred and four 1904,“ The State of Wisconsin Collection, Accessed December 3, 2020, http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&entity=WI.FreePublicLibrary.p0006&id=WI.FreePublicLibrary&isize=M
4. Millard, Sarah, “Waukesha Public Library Receives Top Award, ” Patch, August 5, 2011, Accessed December 3, 2020, https://patch.com/wisconsin/waukesha/waukesha-public-library-receives-top-award
5. Papers and Proceedings of the Twenty-Third General Meeting of the American Library Association Held at Waukesha, Wisconsin, Jul 4-10, 1901, American Library Association, 1901, Accessed December 3, 2020, http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44406/44406-h/44406-h.htm
6. “Waukesha Public Library Children’s Services Expansion & Remodeling, Waukesha, Wis,” ENR Midwest, December 1, 2010, Accessed December 3, 2020, https://www.enr.com/articles/20037-waukesha-public-library-children-8217-s-services-expansion-remodeling-waukesha-wis
7. “Waukesha City- Cutler Park,” Wisconsin Historical Markers, Accessed December 3, 2020, http://www.wisconsinhistoricalmarkers.com/2015/03/waukesha-city-cutler-park.html