A Review of Libraries in Waukesha County, Wisconsin

The heart of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, has several excellent libraries to choose from, one for every major locale in the area. Each library has slightly different offerings; luckily, Waukesha County residents can get a library card that works at over one dozen libraries in the area, and each library is connected to a larger, searchable database for convenient browsing.

City of Waukesha Library: 321 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI. The City of Waukesha's public library is by far the largest in the County's interlinking library system-it can be thought of as the hub for the entire library system, with most specially requested books coming from Waukesha's huge selection. The library was recently expanded, remolded, and updated with a larger shelf and occupancy capacity. The library features convenient self-serve, automated checkout stations along with standard, clerk-operated checkout lanes. A large computer lab makes the library ideal for web research, and the aptly named "Teen Zone" clusters Young Adult books, a couple computers, and funky furniture in a separate room. The upstairs level of the library is child-friendly with many colorful picture-books and play mats. The periodical room is huge, with lots of adequate seating. The library even has a surprisingly decent section devoted to graphic novels. Overall, the Waukesha library has just about everything you'll need, and may be worth going to even if a smaller library is located closer to your town.

Oconomowoc Public Library: 200 South Street, Oconomowoc, WI. The Oconomowoc Public Library is decent-sized with a decent selection. There is a nice kid's section with easily accessible books-bins for independent browsing by smaller children and toddlers. Private, relatively sound-proof reading rooms offer privacy and a good study space for students working on homework. The library has semi-regular events for children, including puppet shows and book readings. Computers in the library are somewhat sparse, but accessible on most days. Overall, you'll find most of what you need at the Oconomowoc Public Library.

Delafield Public Library: 500 Genesee Street, Delafield, WI. The Delafield library is pretty small with a slim selection. Surprisingly, the library has an adequate bank of computers for web research. Activities are few and far between when compared to nearby Waukesha, Oconomowoc, and Pewaukee libraries. Parking is a bit of a problem at the library, but not impossible. Overall, the library has some problems, but by doing a web search using the library's online catalogue, you can determine whether the quaint library outpost has the books you need. If not, browsing this tiny library won't yield too many interesting alternatives.

Pewaukee Public Library: 210 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI. Pewaukee's library enjoys a unique partnership with a local arts group. Arts events occur regularly at the library, and the recently remolded library features a unique mural created by a number of local artists and art enthusiasts. The library is not quite as large as Waukesha's, but it does rival and perhaps surpass Oconomowoc. The Pewaukee Public Library has a very impressive CD collection, film archives, and better-than-average amount of shelved books, ranging from popular titles to more niche texts. Overall, Pewaukee is a great choice if it's closer to your house than the City of Waukesha's giant library nexus.