Title: Municipal Reference Library Records
Inclusive Dates: 1913-1983

Creators:

• Milwaukee (Wis.). Municipal Reference Library.
• Milwaukee (Wis.). Legislative Reference Bureau.

Call Number: City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 5

Quantity: 1.6 cubic ft. (4 boxes)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Records of the Municipal Reference Library, which was created to maintain and collect reports, ordinances, opinions, correspondence, and decisions for future use. Contains various reports, descriptions, correspondence, and publications from the Municipal Reference Library, detailing the activities of the City of Milwaukee. It is now known as the Municipal Research Library.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-cmac0005

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The Municipal Reference Library was established in 1908 with Thomas J. Willis becoming the first Librarian. Originally a branch of the Milwaukee Public Library, the Municipal Reference Library was created to maintain and collect reports, ordinances, opinions, correspondence, and decisions for future use. Heads of City Departments were instructed to give these materials to the Librarian to provide access. It was located at City Hall as a convenience to members of the Common Council.

As the Library grew, more than just the Common Council was using it. Because of its collection of administrative, government, and technical literature, soon city departments, the Mayor, and even citizen inquiries were answered by the Municipal Reference Library. It also provided research services and later compiled the annual report for the Common Council to present to the City. In 1971, the Municipal Reference Library became the Legislative Reference Bureau as part of the City Clerk, and it is now known as the Municipal Research Library.

This collection contains various reports, descriptions, and publications from the Municipal Reference Library, detailing the activities of the City of Milwaukee. Also includes miscellaneous correspondence regarding these activities and histories written by the librarians about different topics from Milwaukee’s past. There are materials on the microfilming of the collection and the transfer of the department from under the Central Library to the City Clerk's office as well.

The collection is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder.

Municipal Reference Library Records, 1913-1983, Collection 5. City of Milwaukee Archival Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Archival Collections

• Common Council Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 6.

• Department of Public Works Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 3.

Publications and Other Items

Bibliography of Sources on Milwaukee History

Geographic Distribution of Class "B" Liquor Licensees in City of Milwaukee [map]

Outline of Milwaukee's City Government

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view City of Milwaukee Archival Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Milwaukee Public Library receives official materials from city departments via the Milwaukee City Records Center, pursuant to state statutes and city ordinances governing the permanent retention of city records.

Processing Information

Processed by Bob Jaeger, 2018. Materials added by Bob Jaeger, 2022 and 2023.

Box   1 Folder   1	Appointments, Boards, and Commissions, 1938-1946
Box   1 Folder   2	Ash and Refuse Collection, 1915-1948
Box   4 Folder   1	Building Heights, 1925
Box   1 Folder   3	Census Tract Street Index, 1938
Box   4 Folder   2-3	"City Hall News", radio scripts, 1947-1948
Box   1 Folder   4	City of Milwaukee, histories and descriptions of various city functions, 1928-1950, undated
Box   1 Folder   5	City Manager Plan, opponents’ summary, 1926
Box   1 Folder   6	Common Council, biographies and historical lists, 1977-1980
Box   1 Folder   7	Common Council, plans, 1934-1947
Box   1 Folder   8	Courts with Jurisdiction in Milwaukee, 1926-1935
Box   1 Folder   9	Demolition of Plankinton Mansion, 1980
Box   1 Folder   10	Distribution of Police Services, 1976
Box   1 Folder   11	Efficiency and Economy in Municipal Work, 1915
Box   1 Folder   12	Equal Rights Amendment, 1977
Box   4 Folder   4	Feasibility of Establishing a Division within the Municipal Reference Library to Review Ordinances, 1966
Box   1 Folder   13	First City Charter and Description, 1933
Box   1 Folder   14	Garden Homes Housing Project, 1926
Box   1 Folder   15	Gifts to the City of Milwaukee Prior to its Eightieth Anniversary, 1926
Box   1 Folder   16	Law Enforcement Data, 1973
Box   1 Folder   17	"Let's Drink to Bay View and Milwaukee!", Pryor Avenue Iron Well, 1962-1964
Box   1 Folder   18	Mayors of Milwaukee: 1846-1948, biographies, 1977, undated
Box   3	The Milwaukee Code of 1914, with supplements and amendments, 1915-1936
Box   1 Folder   19	Milwaukee County Council of Defense, World War I, summary, 1941
Box   1 Folder   20	Milwaukee Public Library, 1934-1941
Box   1 Folder   21	Milwaukee Traffic Code & Motor Vehicle Regulations, Digest of City Ordinances and State Laws for Motor Vehicles, 1918, 1974
Box   1 Folder   22	Milwaukee’s Municipal Government, activities and descriptions, 1934-1941
Box   4 Folder   5	Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1938-1974
	Municipal Reference Library - Accessions
Box   1 Folder   23	Bulletin, 1935-1938
Box   2 Folder   1	Bulletin, 1938-1941
Box   4 Folder   6	Municipal References, 1958-1970
Box   2 Folder   2	Municipal Reference Library, descriptions, 1923-1974
Box   2 Folder   3	Outline of Milwaukee’s City Government, 1937-1938
Box   2 Folder   4	Pensions in Milwaukee, undated
Box   2 Folder   5	Postwar Planning Conference, summary, 1944
Box   2 Folder   6	Railroads in Milwaukee, 1926-1929
Box   2 Folder   7	Record of the Wisconsin Legislature on Consolidation, 1934
Box   2 Folder   8	Report on City and Milwaukee County Governments, 1941-1956
Box   2 Folder   9	Report on Publicly Owned Radio Station, 1947
Box   2 Folder   10	Report on Tunnel Sewer Construction, 1931
Box   2 Folder   11	Report on Use of Computer Assisted Retrieval (CAR) by the City, 1983
Box   2 Folder   12	Reports on Programs and Activities of Other Cities, 1930-1944
Box   4 Folder   7	Saffran Memorial Collection, 1963
Box   4 Folder   18	Series of Articles on Milwaukee’s Governmental Functions, 1935-1938
Box   2 Folder   13	Sewer Services in Milwaukee, Eliminating Infiltration/Inflow, 1980
Box   2 Folder   14	Sodium Vapor Lighting Costs, comparison, 1973
Box   2 Folder   15	Standardization of Salaries of the City of Milwaukee, 1913
Box   2 Folder   16	Statistical and Miscellaneous Pamphlets, 1937-1954
Box   2 Folder   17	Traffic Regulation in Milwaukee, history, 1939
	Transfer of Collection (Grant)
Box   4 Folder   9	Agreement and Reports, 1971-1972
Box   4 Folder   10	Correspondence, 1970-1972
Box   4 Folder   11	Special Committee on Organization and Methods, 1969-1971
Box   2 Folder   18	Unemployment, “Made Work” program, 1933
Box   2 Folder   19	Urban Homesteading Some Initial Experiences, 1975
Box   2 Folder   20	Who Does What: A Functional Guide to City Services, 1963