Saturday, October 15, 2011

Villard Square Branch Library and Apartments Open Today


Villard Square Library Debuts. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 10/14/2011)

Excerpt: Senior bookworms now have the option of living right above their choice entrées at the new Villard Square, which will be unveiled Saturday as the new home of a Milwaukee Public Library branch.

The new 12,770-square-foot building at 5190 N. 35th St. will house the new Villard Square Library Branch on the first floor and 47 apartment homes targeted to care-giving grandparents. The new branch will be replacing the 43-year-old Villard Avenue Library at 3310 W. Villard Ave., which was aging and energy-inefficient, according to a news release.

The grand opening celebration at 9:45 a.m. will include a parade of books from the old branch to the new, an opening ceremony by Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee Public Library officials, and student performances. The apartments, which will be rented at below-market rates to moderate-income workers, will also be available for tours, the news release said. Rental applications will be accepted.

The affordable apartments are aimed at putting children from broken homes into stable environments by having them live with their grandparents. The library below is designed with kids in mind - 50 desktop and laptop computers, community meeting and study rooms, children's and teen areas, and self-checkout stations
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