Here's your chance to say why Milwaukee's libraries are important

The Milwaukee Public Library system wants to hear from the community on what's most important to the people it serves.

MPL is hosting a series of community conversations with City Librarian Joan Johnson and library staff at local branches throughout the city this month through mid-June.

Here's what to know and some of the background:

Milwaukee libraries faced deep cuts

Late last year, the Common Council took up Mayor Cavalier Johnson's 2023 budget proposal, which called for substantial cuts at four of the city's 13 branches. It also proposed foregoing plans for a temporary library for the King branch while a new one is being built next year.

Those cuts, however, didn't occur. The Common Council decided last year to keep those services intact, largely by using federal pandemic aid.

“These conversations are to get direct feedback from our patrons who are using our services to help us in making tough decisions,” MPL Director Johnson said. “Usually we don’t have time to go out into the public in the way that we are doing now to get their input after the mayor’s proposed budget is published in September.”

Librarians want to hear how people use Milwaukee libraries

Johnson wants to know how patrons use the library, whether in-person or remotely; the hours -- evenings or mornings and if the library is their only option for internet access. She also wants to know about the programming patrons attend or whether teens come to the maker's lab.

“We what to hear all of that,” she said. “We want them to tell us what resonates with them and what can’t they live without.”

The city's budget is still tight — and this information will be used to make decisions on cuts

That information will help shape decisions on possible service cuts in this year's budget. This year's budget called for a 6% cut for the library. But Johnson said that doesn’t mean that will be the same for the mayor’s proposed budget for 2024. She noted the same conditions that created the projected budget gap for this year haven’t changed. At least, Johnson said, she'll be armed with information going into this budget process.

“I want to be able to share with the mayor and other stakeholders what we are hearing is important to our patrons,” Johnson said. “What they tell us will inform my decision-making. We want to make decisions that don’t throw up more barriers for populations that are already experiencing barriers because of race and economic class.”

Here's when Milwaukee libraries are hosting Community Conversations

The Community Conversations will be held at each of the 13 Milwaukee Public Library locations through June. The first occurred at the King Library branch this week.

Mitchell Street

906 W. Historic Mitchell St.

Jan. 31, 6-7 p.m.

ASL and Spanish language Interpreters available.

​Atkinson

1960 W. Atkinson Ave.

Feb. 13, 6-7 pm

Bay View

2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

Feb. 25, 1:30-2:30 pm

Washington Park

2121 N. Sherman Blvd.

March 11, 9:30-10:30 am

Zablocki

3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.

March 13, 1:30-2:30 pm

Capitol

3969 N. 74th St.

April 11, 1:30-2:30 pm

Tippecanoe

3912 S. Howell Ave.

April 12, 1:30-2:30 pm

Central

814 W. Wisconsin Ave.

April 29, 1:30-2:30 pm

Center Street

2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.

May 16, 6-7 pm

Villard Square

5190 N. 35th St.

May 20, 9:30-10:30 am

Good Hope

7715 W. Good Hope Road

June 5, 6-7 pm

East

2320 N. Cramer St.

June 10, 11 am-noon

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's your chance to say why Milwaukee's libraries are important