Milwaukee Public Library Foundation

04/30/2026

We had a fantastic time at this year's Friends of The Milwaukee Public Library - Bookseller Spring Literary Luncheon! Christina Baker Kline gave a great historical background to her new book, The Foursome (it promises to be a real page turner). As we do every year, we enjoyed the great food, conversation, and community.

Thanks to everyone who attended - we can't wait to see you next year!

04/16/2026

MPL is a cherished anchor institution because of more than just books. Your local library plays host to amazing events every year, like Milwaukee Zine Fest!

This year's edition of Zine Fest is Saturday at the Central Library. Check out this celebration of DIY creative literary work, small press publishing, and other independent, self-created wonders in magazine-like formats.

Learn more here at: https://milwaukeezinefest.com/

04/11/2026

Last call!

Ticket sales for this year's Spring Literary Luncheon close on Monday! Buy your tickets now and enjoy an afternoon in conversation with Christina Baker Kline, author of The Foursome.

Tickets available at the link: https://www.supportmpl.org/spring-literary-luncheon/

03/30/2026

🌸✨ Lit Lunch Tickets Now Available ✨🌸

Join us for this year’s Lit Lunch featuring bestselling author of Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline, as she shares a special preview of her forthcoming novel, The Foursome.

📚 Wednesday, April 23
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 The Wisconsin Club

Each ticket includes lunch and a signed copy of the book. 🌟

Tickets at the link: https://onecau.se/_eqp5x1

03/26/2026

The MPL Foundation is thrilled to be a beneficiary for this year's Christian Yelich Homeplate Charity Concert! Big thank you to the Yelich Family: we couldn't be more proud and grateful to have your support.

Our team had a great time at Kendra Scott in Brookfield last night with Bernie Brewer and Barrelman - thank you for the support!

Go Brewers!

03/17/2026

We hope to see you at this year Spring Literary Luncheon, featuring Christina Baker Kline! Tickets are on sale now: https://www.supportmpl.org/spring-literary-luncheon/

🌸✨ Lit Lunch Tickets Now Available ✨🌸

Join us for this year’s Lit Lunch featuring bestselling author of Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline, as she shares a special preview of her forthcoming novel, The Foursome.

📚 Wednesday, April 23
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 The Wisconsin Club

Each ticket includes lunch and a signed copy of the book. Discounted tickets are available through March 22. Link in bio 🌟

03/12/2026

03/05/2026

Meet MPL Board President and MPL Foundation Board Member Dr. Michele Bria, Ph. D.! Below, Dr. Bria shares a story inspired by the grand opening of the new MLK branch.

Three generations. One powerful moment for Milwaukee. 💛📚

Milwaukee Public Library Board President/ MPL Foundation Director and Journey House CEO Dr. Michele Bria (right) celebrated the Grand Opening of the new MPL Martin Luther King Library alongside her mother, Susie Bria (middle), and her daughter, Mali Bria (left).

Libraries have always held a special place in Dr. Bria’s heart. Her favorite childhood memories revolve around her mom taking her, her cousins, and her sister to the library. She loved roaming the stacks and building a towering pile of books for the week — often much taller than she was. Her mom would let her check out as many books as she could carry (and often carried a few extra when the choices were just too good to narrow down). And she read every single one.

That love of reading — and love of libraries — has been passed down through generations. Today, Mali is an avid and prolific reader, continuing a family tradition rooted in curiosity, imagination, and opportunity.

The new MLK Library stands as a vibrant space where more families can create their own lifelong memories. Thank you to everyone who helped make this incredible community investment possible. The future is bright at MPL. ✨

We're grateful for your many years of dedicated service to MPL, Dr. Bria!

02/26/2026

Meet MPLF Board Member Barbara Franczyk!

What got you into reading?
As early as 7 years old, I walked to the Whitefish Bay library to find yet another Mrs. Piggle Wiggle story. I remember the pleasure of scouring the shelves and I think this is when I began enjoying the alluring smell of books! By middle school, I could not read enough of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Even today, there’s nothing like a good mystery! It is hard to say which book changed my life and which is my favorite. Each book I read changed my life in some way. There are books that are still with me after having read them 40 years ago, such as Jane Hamilton’s A Map of the World. I can still visualize scenes from the book and I still remember the loss I felt after I finished the book. One of my all time favorite books is The Deptford Trilogy; I had hoped to one day meet its author, Robertson Davies. When I was an 8th grade English teacher, it was a pleasure to read YA literature that is so often rich in vocabulary and layered in plot. I am a docent at the Milwaukee Art Museum and I revel in reading anything on art and the artist.

Why MPL?
Though I raised my children in areas that had neighborhood libraries, we often went to the downtown Milwaukee Public Library for the events MPL offered for children. At one time the Discovery World Museum was housed in the downtown library, so a trip to the library made for a memorable field trip. I became aware of the Foundation’s important work when I was president of the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library. The Friends manage the Bookseller, a used bookstore housed in the Central library. All Bookseller proceeds go to MPL to purchase books or provide services. Throughout the years, I have visited new MPL branches and it is heartwarming to see how communities are using new resources. Libraries are different than when I was 7 years old. Makerspaces. Video rooms. Kitchens. Libraries reflect the different needs of the communities and are growing to meet these needs. The work of the Foundation makes all of this happen. I am proud to be a part of it.

We are proud to have you as a member of our leadership, Barbara! Thanks for your years of service.

02/19/2026

Happy Lunar New Year from the MPL Foundation!

To welcome in the year of the horse, we're highlighting some of the best books about horses ever written (at least in the opinion of Goodreads users). In case horses aren't your thing, we also included some books to explore the Lunar New Year through food, learning, and fun. You can find all of these books at your neighborhood MPL branch - check one out!

Do you have a favorite way to celebrate Lunar New Year? Let us know in the comments!

02/05/2026

Looking for a way to celebrate Black History Month? MPL has you covered!

People of all ages can participate by completing activities of the Challenge and by attending a full month of programming. Check out mpl.org/BlackHistoryMonth for more info.