Waukesha Public Library receives the “Partnering for a Purpose” award.

The Library was recently awarded the “Partnering for a Purpose” award from Literacy Services of Wisconsin. This award goes to an organization that “enhances the opportunities afforded to our students by combining and maximizing resources.”

From the award ceremony program:

“The Waukesha Public Library has been connected to our mission for decades through the Greater Waukesha Literacy Council. As a library, they are a champion of community and learning. We have always appreciated their willingness to share their space and serve as a location for students and tutors to gather. In the last couple of years, we have enhanced our partnership to better align with our respective goals and integrate programming in a way that creates the best outcomes for adult students in Waukesha County.”

Thank you to Literacy Services of Wisconsin for this great honor.

Explore our new digital resource – LOTE4Kids

The Library has added LOTE4Kids to our digital resource collection. LOTE4Kids was developed for libraries and schools to grow their World Language picture book collections and support kids learning a new language. Together, let’s give ALL children the opportunity to enjoy books and learn language through the magic of storytelling. Explore LOTE4Kids today!

Explore Udemy courses and Libby magazines.

Bridges Library System member libraries will no longer have access to Flipster or Gale Courses after January 1–but never fear! You can still access digital classes and magazines with your library card using Udemy and Libby. 😊 Udemy offers on-demand video learning courses, in more than 75 categories, that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Need to kick back with a magazine? Libby offers digital access to over 4,000 popular titles. Make exploring Udemy’s free courses and Libby’s digital magazine collection a priority in 2024!

Tax Payment Box

The City of Waukesha has placed a tax payment box outside the Library near our outdoor return. If you choose to make your tax payment at the Library, please place it into that box. We are not able to accept payment at our Public Services Desk or through our outdoor return. If payments aren’t placed in the tax payment box, we cannot guarantee that they will get to the City. Click HERE to see the full list of options for paying your property taxes.

 

Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium Explore Pass

We have a new Explore Pass! Visit the stars in comfort with a pass to the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium. The pass checks out for three days and is good for up to 6 immediate family members. It is good for all public shows (not special events), which are typically on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Contact the Public Services Department for more information. 262-524-3684.

WPL has heart! Blood pressure monitors are now available for checkout.

Thanks to a generous donation from our partners at the American Heart Association and ProHealth, you can now check out a blood pressure cuff and monitor from our Public Services Desk. One kit is available for in-library use, and six individual kits are available to be checked out for three weeks at a time. A step-by-step instruction guide is included with each blood pressure kit and our Librarians have been trained to help with any questions you may have. We’ve decided to participate in this “Libraries With Heart” program to help empower our community to learn about their health and take action to improve it. Help decrease your chances of developing serious health risks by checking out one of our blood pressure monitors today!

Two new Explore Passes are available!

The Library has added two new Explore Passes! Stop in and check out a Wisconsin Historical Society Site pass or a pass to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Each of these passes will go out for three days at a time, and holds are not allowed. The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center offers access to six miles of trails that take visitors through 185 acres of forests, wetlands, restored prairies, ravines, bluffs, and Lake Michigan shoreline. The Wisconsin Historical Society Site Pass includes free admission to the following historic sites and museums: Wisconsin Historical Museum, Old World Wisconsin, Black Point Estate and Gardens, Wade House, Circus World, Villa Louis, Stonefield, H.H. Bennett Museum, Reed School, First Capitol, Pendarvis, and Madeline Island Museum. Check our catalog to see a list of all the Explore Passes and their availability HERE.

AmazonSmile is now part of the Amazon app

Shopping for a gift? You can also help benefit the Friends of Waukesha Public Library while finding something great for your friend! Amazon has added the AmazonSmile feature to their mobile app.

Here’s How it works:

  • Open the Amazon App on your mobile device
  • From the main menu, tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programs & Features
  • Select “Friends of Waukesha Public Library” as your charity
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to activate

Happy Shopping!

Puzzle Exchange

Are you a jigsaw puzzle fanatic? Why buy new ones when you can trade used jigsaw puzzles with others in the community for free? Stop by the jigsaw puzzle exchange at the Library and pick up a new puzzle. How does it work? You bring a puzzle in, and take a puzzle home. No need to stop by the Public Services Desk. When you’re ready for a new puzzle, bring it back and trade again. We hope you enjoy this service!

 

Finding your holds at the Library

If you’ve never picked up holds at the Library before, finding your items is easy! Everything is filed alphabetically by the first two letters of your last name, followed by your first and middle initials. When you get to the Library, follow the signs to find the correct holds section. Then, look at the receipt sticking out of each item to help you find your holds. Once you locate your items, they can be checked out using our self-checkout machines, or you can take them to the Public Services Desk. If you have any questions, a staff member will be happy to assist you.