What’s Happened Since #1 at the Middleton Public Library

The Middleton Public Library (www.midlibrary.org) was awarded the 2007 Wisconsin Library of the Year; and was rated in the “Top Ten in the Nation” by the 2008 the HAPLR Report. The library continues to offer excellent year-round programming for children, ‘tweens, teens and adults, including author visits, gaming events, computer classes and monthly art exhibits.  The library currently provides a computer lab, express stations, laptops, netbooks, gaming PCs and study rooms for a total of 48 computers with access to the Internet.  Wirelesss (Wi-Fi) is also available throughout the building. Library users can access over 12,500  downloadable audiobooks, ebooks and videos, and a wide array of electronic database.  Circulation grows every year, at a rate over nearly 5%; and in 2008 peaked at over 755,000.  Among the collection of over 113,000 items, patrons will find Blu-rays, foreign language materials and graphic novels.  In 2009, the library adopted an “Environmental Policy” and now offers a “Green Collection” of books, audios, videos and magazines geared toward sustainability.