All Milwaukee Public Library branches to open up for browsing

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) announced beginning Monday, June, 7, patrons will be allowed to resume browsing materials on the stacks for both children's and adult materials in all branch locations. 

Browsing remains restricted at Central Library while staff prepare spaces for a safe and healthy return by August.

“It has been over a year since our patrons were able to browse and select their own materials,” said Milwaukee Public Library Director Joan Johnson. “While we were delighted to be able to safely offer materials pickup and computer usage, browsing the stacks is one of the things we know our patrons miss the most.”

While the city of Milwaukee health orders requiring masks expired June 1, staff and visitors to any City of Milwaukee building will continue to be required to wear a mask, and that includes libraries. Social distancing requirements and capacity limits also remain in place.

Currently, MPL locations are capped at 25% capacity based on floor space. Allowing browsing will double the amount of available floor space for patrons to visit so total capacity will increase. Curbside service remains an amenity for patrons by request, but community spaces and other meeting rooms continue to be closed and in-person indoor programming remains paused