New Oak Creek Library Garners State Award

The Oak Creek Public Library is generating some noise - and that appears to be a good thing.

The new library, which opened its doors in mid-October in Oak Creek's sparkling new City Center, was recently honored as Library of the Month by BadgerLink, Wisconsin's Online Library, part of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The new library shares a building with the Oak Creek City Hall, and this building itself is called the Oak Creek Civic Center.

Oak Creek Mayor Stephen Scaffidi praised the Library's new home on Twitter this week:

Here are some of the highlights listed in BadgerLink's report, issued Thursday:

— The new building offers nearly three times the library space of the former building, increasing from 14,800 to 41,847 square feet.
— The children’s staff rotates between setting out Legos, board games, and crafts, and showing movies each day during the week.

— The children’s department now has public internet computers, and four “tutor rooms” for students to use for group projects, homework, or quiet reading time.

— Among many other new features and highlights, a community favorite is the new quiet reading room, with its gas fireplace, comfortable seating, and windows overlooking the Oak Creek Town Square.

— While the building has been in use since October, it is not yet completely finished. The library is waiting for a signature art piece which is currently in production for the children’s department.