BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AWARDS CELEBRATION

“The Milwaukee Public Library is a community gem. It is so much more than just free access to books. Don’t understand how to use your smartphone or tablet? Go to the Library. Need a resume recharge? Go to the library. Want to learn how to cook healthy dishes? Go to the library. The Milwaukee Public Library is also an equalizer. Don’t have internet access or a computer at home? Go to the library. No matter your age or your zip code, once you walk through the door, the world is at your fingertips. My public library was also my safe place. I was instructed by my parents to go there after school until they could pick me up after work. I did homework, hung out with friends, and read all the sports magazines that I couldn’t afford to have a subscription. It became my community. That’s what the library is to me . . . community!”

-Judge Derek Mosley

“Libraries are the heart of knowledge, beauty, and truth. They are everything.  Growing up, the library was both the literal and figurative center of our community. Our immigrant parents taught us that as long as we knew where the library was, we would always find our way. This simple lesson was more than just guidance—it was foundational. The library stood as both a landmark and a refuge. From the outside, it anchored us; from the inside, it welcomed us. It was a place of safety, discovery, and growth—a space that nurtured our confidence and curiosity.  From exploration to belonging, accessibility to independence, libraries truly are everything."

-JoAnne Anton