Though I usually use about 414 words spattered with 3-6 pictures, this week I’m using photos rather than words to demonstrate the grandeur and impressive scope of the oft-overlooked Central branch of the Milwaukee Public Library system on Wisconsin Avenue.
![The dome is a beauty, both from outside and from below in the main entrance rotunda.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-2-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
The dome is a beauty, both from outside and from below in the main entrance rotunda.
![The entrance space is ornately designed and decorated. It's an imposing dedication to the written word.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-3-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
The entrance space is ornately designed and decorated. It’s an imposing dedication to the written word.
![The side stairs may now lead to offices but that doesn't diminish their grandeur.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-4-sd-e1455157711902.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
The side stairs may now lead to offices but that doesn’t diminish their grandeur.
![Many of the fixtures and much of the paint in this section of the library is original to the 1898 building.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-5-sd-e1455157731163.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
Many of the fixtures and much of the paint in this section of the library is original to the 1898 building.
![Each Saturday at 11AM a docent gives an informative tour of the entire library. Find out more here.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-6-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
Each Saturday at 11AM a docent gives an informative tour of the entire library. Find out more here.
![The beautifully-preserved Board Room was also used in the TV movie Dillinger.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-7-sd-e1455157762663.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
The beautifully-preserved Board Room was also used in the TV movie Dillinger.
![There actually was a live lion living on the top floor for a period of time. He's now stuffed and on display at the Milwaukee Public Museum.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-8-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
There actually was a live lion living on the top floor for a period of time. He’s now stuffed and on display at the Milwaukee Public Museum.
![Even some of the newer portions of the library were remodeled to mimic the opulence of the original design.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-9-sd-e1455157784172.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
Even some of the newer portions of the library were remodeled to mimic the opulence of the original design.
![The first floor features plenty of media and general resources.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-10-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
The first floor features plenty of media and general resources.
![A whole wing of the first floor is dedicated to a boisterous but welcoming children's library: the Betty Brinn Children's Room.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-11-sd-e1455157808611.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
A whole wing of the first floor is dedicated to a boisterous but welcoming children’s library: the Betty Brinn Children’s Room.
![One of the more unexpected resources was the Art, Music, and Recreation Room. Here you can research any form of media, from albums to art to sheet music.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-12-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
One of the more unexpected resources was the Art, Music, and Recreation Room. Here you can research any form of media, from albums to art to sheet music.
![The Business, Science, and Technology area is huge, offering help with anything from job preparedness to patent searches to workshops.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-13-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
The Business, Science, and Technology area is huge, offering help with anything from job preparedness to patent searches to workshops.
![Another hidden gem, the Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room is a great place to find out more about ships that sailed the Great Lakes or start tracing back your family tree.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-14-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
Another hidden gem, the Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room is a great place to find out more about the ships that sailed the Great Lakes or to start tracing back your family tree.
![Though generally off-limits without prior approvals, the Krug Rare Books Room is a Milwaukee-treasure not known by many to exist. Make sure to wear gloves while handling the delicate pages (just kidding, there's no way they're letting you touch anything).](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-15-sd-e1455157839291.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
Though generally off-limits without prior approvals, the Krug Rare Books Room is a Milwaukee-treasure not known by many to exist. Make sure to wear gloves while handling the delicate pages (just kidding, there’s no way they’re letting you touch anything).
![Local art that wouldn't be out of place at the Milwaukee Art Museum adorns many of the walls.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-16-sd-e1455157862155.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
Local art that wouldn’t be out of place at the Milwaukee Art Museum adorns many of the walls.
![They even have racks on racks of your typical recreational literature.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-17-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
They even have racks on racks of your typical recreational literature and DVDs.
![The fine architectural details and the sheer scope of resources the Library offers makes it easy to spend hours inside without noticing.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-18-sd.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
The fine architectural details and the sheer scope of resources the Library offers makes it easy to spend hours inside without noticing.
![Milwaukee Central Public Library (19) sd](https://i0.wp.com/www.thesqueakycurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milwaukee-Central-Public-Library-19-sd-e1455157896748.jpg?resize=604%2C340)
And to think, this somewhat imposing local monument is completely filled with people and resources meant to help our general populace…for free!
For being a shrine to the words of man, the Milwaukee Central Library left me speechless (*drop literary mic*).
Hey Joe,
I have been in this building hundreds of times but now can’t wait for my next visit. Thanks to your investigation I will have a much greater appreciation of where I am.