IMG_7285 Then it was on to the basement where many of the federal depository titles are held (I've never seen so many Bureau of Mines volumes) along with books on tape for the blind/etc. IMG_7287 That wouldn't be a nice view... IMG_7289 A little book elevator! IMG_7291 How convenient, a book drive through, and an added touch is the fire extinguisher with automatic sprinkler head over the return pile (frighening!) IMG_7292 Books take space to store...for now! IMG_7295 Lots of tapes too IMG_7300 Here is a little server in the server room - most are for the catalogs, but others hold CD-ROM images since a big draw of people visiting with children are the educational video games. The poor server room had an underpowered air conditioning unit and I guess it gets really hot during the summer. No advanced fire protection either. IMG_7301 Lots more (really overpowered) computers to refresh the ones at this and other branches. Eventually they're trying to get to a simpler computer, but the above mentioned educational video games need a bit of screen refresh/latency that might not be possible in the current infrastructure. However, think of the savings in lease and electricity costs if even some of the computers were moved over to modern terminals. Pricing for libraries on new computers is really low to keep them on mainstream hardware though. IMG_7303 There goes the fiber to various Milwaukee Public Library branches! IMG_7304 Internet content filtering hardware IMG_7305 Anybody need a spare keyboard? IMG_7322 The next stop was the most behind the scenes - to the DOME above the atrium. This wonderfully decorated ceiling piece is sadly rotting away (not in a public area though). IMG_7323 IMG_7325 A view from the dome area along the roof of the building and downtown Milwaukee IMG_7328 The dome is a formidable and a bit sooty looking structure IMG_7329 They're using good old GE bulbs! IMG_7333 IMG_7342_Pano A panoramic view of the dome with artificial light on top of it with skylight above that IMG_72350_Pano IMG_7357 The blubs fit right through to the much nicer looking ceiling of the dome IMG_7360 IMG_7361 Little walkway of the dome - don't want to be the guy changing light bulbs up here! IMG_7364 Steel structure supporting the dome IMG_7369 Nice spiral staircase down from the dome IMG_7371 A last peek from way up high IMG_7373 These eagles guard the atrium from the entrance side IMG_7377 Nice marble balusters along each floor around the atrium IMG_7380 IMG_7383 You can't tell what the temperature is anymore, but the thermometer was made in Milwaukee IMG_7386_Pano A panoramic view of the atrium of the Milwaukee Public Library IMG_7399 It's a Federal Depository, public access is guaranteed - a regional one in fact and there's only one other in Wisconsin (at UW Madison). It was designated a Federal Depository in 1861 and the overall Milwaukee Public Library holds more than 1 million volumes (2.8 million as of 2007) IMG_7401_Pano The outside of the library IMG_7405 And after that the next day we went to Madison, Wisconsin - here's the capitol IMG_7407 We went to see a live broadcast of the wonderful radio show Whad 'Ya Know? IMG_7410 We didn't try to get on the quiz or anything as a part of the show, but I did take this photo of mom and dad next to a Wall Drug sign just for my friend Brad who lives there Return to Features