Special Collections

Did you know the Wauwatosa Public Library has a circulating art collection? Check out a piece of artwork or a statue to spruce up your space. Take a look at our collection below.

With a generous donation from the Wauwatosa Junior Women’s Club in 1967, the Wauwatosa Public Library (WPL) was able to curate a circulating art collection. The collection, consisting of art reproductions and sculptures, is available for loan to library patrons. WPL is currently the only library in Milwaukee County that has art and sculpture available for patrons to checkout. Our art collection has 100+ items available to loan.

Items from the Art Collection checkout for 6 weeks. Artwork can be requested, but must be picked up and returned at the Wauwatosa Public Library. Artwork may be renewed twice.

Bermuda Scene

by Paul Cornoyer

Bright Poppies

by Unknown

Cat Drinking

by Charlotte Fung Miller

Couleur Rouge

by Unknown

Crane and Sky

by Charlotte Fung Miller

Crazy for Blue

by Unknown

Door County

by Matthew Miller

European Scene

by Unknown

Holy Hill

by Steve Slaske

Leading your next book discussion? Checkout one of our book discussion kits containing 10 books, a large print edition, an audiobook, and questions to help you facilitate a meaningful discussion.

Each kit contains 10 copies of the book, a large print copy, and an audiobook, as well as a discussion guide including background information on the book’s author and questions to help foster a meaningful conversation. Our book discussion kits checkout for 6 weeks.

Book discussion kits are available for the following titles:

• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
• The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
• Circe by Madeline Miller
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
• The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
• Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
• Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
• The Measure by Nikki Erlick
• Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
• The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
• Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

Books First bags are available in a variety of interests to aid in children’s literacy development. Each Books First bag contains five titles revolving around a specific subject or theme. The bag also contains a resource sheet with more titles to check out as well as an activity, song, poem, etc.

Books First bags are available in a variety of interests to aid in children’s literacy development.  For example, Cinderella Around the World is designed to gain literary knowledge of a very familiar story, through a more informed perspective of cultures around the globe. Another Books First bag, Two Voices, is a collection of stories with two main characters whose dialogue carries the majority of the story. Stories with two voices may aid readers in their fluency (prosody) when paired with another reader.

Each Books First bag contains five titles revolving around a specific subject or theme.  The bag also contains a resource sheet with more titles to check out as well as an activity, song, poem, etc.

The current themes/subjects are:

• Analytic Reading, 4th-6th
• Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Emotional Learning
• Cinderella Around the World
• Circular
• Community
• Cumulative
• Dinosaurs
• Farm
• Financial Literacy
• Fractured Tales: The Three Little Pigs
• Jane Addams
• Postmodern
• Social Emotional Literacy
• Solar System, K-3rd
• Solar System, 4th-6th
• Two Voices
• Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors

You may find the entire Books First collection listed in our catalog, where you may also place them on hold.

Books First bags may be checked out for 3 weeks, but are non-renewable.

The Wauwatosa Public Library is excited to offer Explore Passes to various Milwaukee-area destinations. Explore Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Holds cannot be placed on Explore Passes. If available, Explore Passes will be located at the Circulation Desk.

Check out the Explore Pass with a staff member at the Circulation Desk. You will then sign the Explore Pass Lending Guidelines and Agreement. Borrowers must have a valid Library card in good standing within the Milwaukee County Federated Library System.

Return the Explore Pass to the Circulation Desk within three days. Do not return the pass in the book drop. There is no grace period on Explore Passes. Late fees are $10 per day.

Be sure to check the hours and parking information for each destination to plan accordingly.

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum:

The Library has five passes to the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. This pass allows up to 6 guests, per visit, admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) at all times. Adults must be visiting with a child or call to make an appointment. A parking discount can be redeemed for the Museum Center parking garage.

Harley Davidson Museum:

The Library has three passes for the Harley Davidson Museum. Admission for two adults and all minor children are included with the use of this pass.

Little Village Play Cafe

The Library has two passes to Tosa’s own Little Village Play Cafe. The pass includes free open play for one family with any number of children and 10% off purchase in the cafe. Does not include access to private events or other membership perks.

Milwaukee Art Museum:

The Library has four passes available to the Milwaukee Art Museum. These passes are good for up to eight guests, with a maximum of four adults. Please note that parking is not included with the pass.

Mitchell Park Domes:

The Library has six passes to the Mitchell Park Domes. These passes provide admission for up to two adults and all minor children.

Schlitz Audubon Center:

The Library has two passes to the Schlitz Audubon Center. These passes provide admission for up to four adults and all minor children.