I was in the area so I wanted to take some time to visit this library. They have a variety of books and magazines! As well as thematic collections that make it easy to narrow down your choices. read more

Bay View Library - Libraries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I am also puzzled why this is Bay space View instead of the actual neighborhood and library name, Bayview. Anyway, good public library with great Tik-Toks. Sunny friendly inviting location with excellent librarians and not just a good selection of books, but access to lots of audio versions of books, music, movies and comfortable seating to read, contemplate, or zone out. They have newspapers here, if you've ever heard of that sort of thing. read more

Bay View Library - Libraries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

This is my local library that I use very often. The staff is always friendly and willing to help. The app is user-friendly when I order books, and they are always ready and easy to find when I need to pick them up. It can also be contactless, where you can check yourself out if needed. It's a very bright and open space with lots of natural light and windows. All in all, I enjoy this library and am excited that the inside opened up after Covid. Keep up the good work! read more

Bay View Library - Libraries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This is a great neighborhood library that has a great selection of not only books, but magazines, movies, and more. Their Children's section is a nice size and being able to rent out animals from their "Zoo" had the kids over the moon. They had the Halloween movies we were looking for and it is an all around nice place to visit. The staff is very helpful and nice, we would definitely recommend. Gotta love Bay View read more

See all

Sometimes when I can't focus on my work, I need a place to go that will keep me in my seat. Somewhere inspirational, surrounded with books and other studious people. Somewhere free from the temptation of wandering around aimlessly. Somewhere free of charge. You get the picture -- and your local library is just the place *cue that Arthur song*. Anyway, I like the Bay View Library and find it pretty easy to get into the zone and focus on what I need to do. Whether that's homework, reading, writing, Yelping -- I can do it here with relative ease. As for the library's other purposes, there's a fairly large book selection for you to peruse through. There's magazines, daily newspapers from the Journal, USA Today and other large periodicals. There's local pulp leaflets, newspapers and magazines to go through as well. Hats off for carrying the local! The kids section is nice as well, my son can usually find something interesting there. It's smaller compared to some locations, but your youngster should be able to find something. The only real complaint I have is the lack of tables to work at. They line the wall on KK but, being a busier library, fill up rather quickly. There's four seats to a table and I have no problem sitting with someone, but being the 3rd or 4th wheel can be awkward (or maybe that's just me). In any case, a few more tables, desks or seats with a sliding out hard surface to write on would be really nice. I'd suggest anyone who's looking to get some work done but doesn't want to sit at a coffee shop to give the BV Library a try! read more

oops...who knew the "bay" and "view" would be separate words in the entry for this library. This might explain why my phone couldn't find originally this place when trying to check in. So the MPL system is pretty good about transferring things from branch to branch. You go into the computer and use your library card number, a PIN you create, and you can request away to have things from other branches sent to your branch of choice. I usually go to the east library, and since I only generally make it on weekends, I'm ok requesting on a Saturday and not being able to get my stuff until the next weekend. Buuuut..sometimes you've started reading a series of mysteries and just must get your hands on the next in the series. And as I've noticed with almost every book I've wanted to read, it's only available at Bayview (or the Central library. Is this the universe's way of telling me I should be living in Bayview or downtown?) Transcendental questions aside, I remembered passing the Bayview library branch about 5379 times (estimate) last summer as its located on bustling KK ave., past Colectivo but before Hi-Fi Cafe. I decided to just trek over to Bayview and save everyone the trouble of moving books across town. This is a cute little brick, glass and silver-ish building on KK. It was pretty packed with materials and was quite busy while I was there. They had the self checkouts, which I also (not going to say what branch at, now) have been loudly informed I was using incorrectly. Its not that hard to use once you get used to it. Overall its a nice little centrally located library in the heart of Bayview. My big caveat about this branch? The bike parking posts were sort of rusty and difficult to fangle my ulock around. Just sayin. read more

Ample table space, strong wifi, and a great high ceilings - a great space for the Karl Marx lurking in your soul to read, write, and think. I do a lot of writing and need a place like this and am happy that the excellent Bay View library makes it happen. Here's to public investment in public libraries! Now, Milwaukee, build one in the 5th Ward or Walker's Square please! read more

I make heavy use of the MPL system and this review is specific to the Bay View branch. I really dislike this branch, but it's close to where we live, so I mainly use it just to pick up books on hold. The bullet list: * Surly staff * Small selection of books and periodicals actually at this branch * Books on hold take forever to show up and are IN TRANSIT for a long time * Not a comfy place to spend time / no good furniture The staff is very surly / unfriendly here. It's made worse by the new philosophy of making patrons do their jobs. Similar to the grocery store self checkouts not working well, neither does the self check out / check in. The system is awkward, slow, and patrons seem to take the brunt of the employees frustration. I just can't believe how rude the library staff are to the public. As an example. The new book return jammed up. I couldn't get it open to accept the rest of my books, so I went inside to return the rest of my books. I had to argue with the lady working the counter to take my books I was attempting to return. I have watched people go through the self check out and then get yelled at because the alarm went off. As near as I can tell they followed what they were told to do. It's not their fault that the system didn't turn off the book alarm thing. Why is the staff yelling at people? read more

I love that this library is 2 blocks from my home. I love that this library has incredibly helpful staff. The day I needed to use their printing system, an employee walked me through every step and then checked on me later to make sure I had everything I needed. I haven't experienced this kind of personal attention in a library since the 5th grade. Much appreciated! I also love how many kids and families I see in here - this library is a true community resource. It also used to be my polling place. The layout is well organized, resources are clearly labeled, and it's easy to maneuver quickly or linger, as my schedule allows. The free wifi is also sufficient for getting work done undisturbed. I wish there were a slightly larger collection of books, to be honest - when I come in to browse, I always leave satisfied, but when I have a particular book in mind, I rarely find it on the shelves. The interlibrary loan system works well, and I could stand to be more proactive, but I do wish they would invest in higher shelves and MORE books! read more

Cool little library nestled in the heart of Bay View. This is yet another south side library with some interesting architecture. I love the look of this unique building, and with all of its windows it's a great place to read on a sunny day. The book selection is decent here. The DVD selection is really good with a lot of newer stuff, however with its bins that you have to flip through one by one, its almost impossible to find anything you're looking for. They put the A's with A's, B's with B's, etc., but they are just thrown into the bin without being alphabetized. This is a pet peeve of mine. Can we get some more adequate shelves and somebody to alphabetize please! Outside of that, customer service is about on par with any other city of Milwaukee library. It's not that bad, but at the same time they're not going out of their way to help you. Worth a trip if you're in the area, but not worth going out of your way for. read more

I had one rude encounter in 15 plus years. You can't go there once and write a horrific review. I love this library.it's my office. I have to go there to focus. If you need computer instruction,they Help. If you need printing help,they are extremely helpful. If someone is rude, ask for a manager. The staff that's been There the longest, these are wonderful people. They will greet you with a smile and they are happy to find studious individuals appreciating a quiet atmosphere in which to learn, relax, read an old fashioned paperback book. I will continue to go there often and hope to God, my office always stays open. read more

I never thought there could be really be anything negative to say about a library. The staff here apparently hates what they do because they are the crabbiness and rudest people ever. Don't ever ask them any questions or you'll be talked to like your interrupting something or a child. read more

Rude staff has turned me completely off to this location. I have fond memories of going to my local library as a child every week and wanted my own children to experience this. I have taken my kids to this location twice and both times the environment as well as the staff were hostile, unwelcoming and cold. Unfortunately this location offers more of a lesson on how NOT to treat people than anything else. We now venture out to the St. Francis location and it is AMAZING. The librarians are so friendly, love to chat with the kids and myself, and actually like their job. There is also more of a selection of books in the children's section here. If you have children, and/or appreciate smiling faces, AVOID BAYVIEW and go a few miles down KK to the St. Francis location. read more

I love this little library nestled in Bay View. If you request something for them to buy, they will most likely do it. They have all sorts of activities at the library for all ages. The staff has always been nice. Great for getting some work accomplished or just enjoying a book. Great selection! It is also close to a laundromat which is rather convenient. read more