2023 Benjamin Franklin Awards Celebration
honoring
John W. Daniels Jr. and Rotary Club of Milwaukee
for their significant contributions to literacy and lifelong learning.
What is the Benjamin Franklin Awards Celebration?
The Benjamin Franklin Awards Celebration, an annual fundraiser benefiting the Milwaukee Public Library, takes place each fall to celebrate literacy and lifelong learning. This one-of-a-kind event at the Wisconsin Club will be one to remember. It will start with cocktails, appetizers, live music and will end with an awards program, and live auction including unique experiences. — not to mention savory dinner stations, decadent desserts, and a hosted bar. The Benjamin Franklin Awards Celebration draws over 500 library lovers each year, and we hope you will be among them this year!
2023 Benjamin Franklin Awards Celebration Gallery
Photos by Janet McMillan Photography
Why I Support Milwaukee Public Library Foundation
"Growing up in Milwaukee, both Sue and I were raised in families that greatly valued reading and learning. So I have loved to read my whole life and our local library was always a very special place to me. Books are a wonderful window into the world of knowledge, history and so many stories about human achievement. Libraries open all those windows to us and deserve our ongoing appreciation and support. Sue and I are proud to receive this award and to support one of the finest library systems in the world right here in our hometown."
Sue and Bud Selig
2019 Benjamin Franklin Award Recipients
Past Honorees
1989 - Harold W. Schwartz
1990 - Patrick Cotter
1991 - Fritz Gerlach
1992 - Howard Fuller
1994 - Frank Pelisek
1995 - Sue Ann Thompson
1996 - Jack Mac Donough
1997 - Betty Quadracci
1998 - Mayor Norquist & Common Council
1999 - Jane Bradley Pettit
2000 - Marianne Lubar
2001 - Michael Bolger
2002 - Jim Wigdale, Brother Bob Smith
2003 - Sister Joel Read
2004 - Harry Franke
2005 - Journal Communications, Steve Smith Chairman of the Board & CEO
2006 - The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation (Michael W. Grebe)
2007 - Northwestern Mutual, Edward J. Zore
2008 - Lucile Krug, Chris Bauer, Kate Huston Raab
2009 - Robert Mariano
2010 - The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation, Gale Klappa
2011 - George Will
2012 - Paul E. Purcell
2013 - Mark and Debbie Attanasio
2014 - Dr. Mary Kellner, Faye McBeath Foundation
2015 - Greg Oberland, Mary Meehan
2016 - The Milwaukee Bucks
2017 - Senator Herb Kohl, Don Rosanova
2018 - Jay and Madonna Williams
2019 - Sue and Bud Selig
2020 - Milwaukee Public Library Heroes
2021/2022 - Arthur Harrington, Dr. Joan Prince
2023 - John W. Daniels, Jr., Rotary Club of Milwaukee
Your Support Builds a Stronger Community
Give to the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation