McMillan Memorial Library

A Tour of the Library

McMillan Memorial Library
490 East Grand Avenue
Wisconsin Rapids, WI  54494

Map of our location
Tour of Previous Locations

Upper Level

The Upper Level contains the Adult Room, the Children's Room and the Upper Lobby.
Beverages, but not food, are allowed on the Upper Level.

Adult Room

Adult Room

 
The Adult Room is designed for books, browsing and a quiet atmosphere. The Library's Rules of Conduct are more restrictive here. It is the part of the library most like a traditional library.

The New Fiction and New Non-Fiction areas feature slanted shelves and genre/subject collection. Holding the Library's newest books, they are optimized for browsing and comfort. For more about this, see Power Shelving - The McMillan Experience.

 

Technology

There are fourteen Internet workstations in the Adult Department, provided in cooperation with both Solarus and Charter Communications.

Eight are in cubicles, while the other six are in open carrels. All have Internet, Office and a color printer. These also provide access to a scanner and webcams. For more about webcams, see Webcams @ McMillan.

In the Adult Room, all computer use must respect others' need for quiet, privacy and space.

There are also six catalog stations, which provide access to the LINK shared catalog, as well as the many databases the Library subscribes to. These include Auto Repair, HeritageQuest, Ancestry, Learning Express, What Do I Read Next?, NoveList and AtoZ company database.

 

Local History and Genealogy


The Library has two microfilm reader-printers, as well complete runs of all extant local newspapers and all Wisconsin state and federal censuses. The Library maintains an award-winning collection of Local History Online.

This area has a computer that highlights the Library genealogical resources, as well as the catalog.

In addition to a Local History collection, the Library also has an in-depth Genealogy collection, which has been well supported by the Heart O' Wisconsin Genealogical Society.

Large Print

The Large Print Collection is next to the Local History area. This collection supports McMillan's Outreach Department, which delivers materials to patrons who are unable to visit the Library.

Job Center

In response to the local economy, the Library has established a Job Center. The area features a collection of job hunting, resume and interviewing books, as well as two computers with word processing and resume software. Video Professor tutorial software as also available.

Young Adult Collection

The Young Adult collection includes a sizeable and popular graphic novels component. Like most collection areas, it includes browsing spaces, chairs and tables. Since this is part of the Adult Room, it is not designed for socializing.

Reference Books

The print  Reference collection has shrunk in recent years, but it now includes a Consumer and Investment Table, as well as seating.

Genre Collections

McMillan supports genre collections of Christian Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adult Graphic Novels, Classics, Westerns and Mysteries. All genre collections are located on the edges of the room, except Mysteries and Westerns, which are attached to the beginning of the Fiction stacks.

Fiction Stacks

In all stack areas, McMillan is arranging the shelves so that the top and bottom of the units are not used. The topmost shelf is used to hold bookends. The bottommost shelf is not used. This improves browsing for patrons and shelving for staff.

Seating Areas

The main Adult Room seating area runs from the windows to under the skylight. The area nearest the Windows provides a view and outlets for laptops, while the skylight can fill the middle of the room with natural light.

Art Loans

McMillan has a collection of over 150 art works, many of them originals by area artists. These items check out for ninety days.

Wireless

Wireless Internet, in both the Adult Room and Lower Level, provided in cooperation with Charter Communications.
 05100203.JPG (1461779 bytes)

Children's Room

 

2005_1130AG.JPG (380112 bytes)
The are two Game / Internet workstations in the Children's Room.  Internet provided courtesy of Solarus.
The Self Checkout unit in the Lobby lets parents checkout while the children enjoy story hour.

 
Story Hour area

2005_1130AE.JPG (415003 bytes)

Upper Lobby
Though it is on the second floor, the Upper Lobby is one of our two service points (the Lower Lobby is the other). This area contains the Information Desk and a self-check station, as well as the entryways to the Adult and Children's Rooms.

The Information Desk is staffed during all open hours by our professional staff. Phone, email and IM reference are provided through this desk, as well as assistance with the catalog, our databases, local history and genealogy and the Internet.

This area also has one of our three self-checks. Behind the self-check is a staff workstation that is staffed during most of the day. The Upper Lobby has two lockable display cases, which can be booked through the Business Office.

Lower Level

Food and beverages are allowed on the Lower Level, though not in the Fine Arts Center.
The Lower Level contains the Library Commons,  the Lower Lobby / Circulation Services area, the All Purpose Room and the Fine Arts Center.

In June 2010, the Library celebrated its 120th birthday and a new main entrance, funded by Charles and Joanne Lester.

Library Commons
The Library Commons is designed as a community space. As such, the Rules of Conduct allow food and a wider range of acceptable behavior here.

The easy to clean rubber floors (made of recycled tires), the bright colors and comfortable seating all contribute to make this a popular space throughout the day, though the groups using the area vary. In the morning a mainly adult crowd read newspapers and magazines. After school, the area is often full of teens and tweens. In the evenings, older students with laptops use the booths and corners. Throughout the day, groups holds meetings and tutors meet with students.

Booths have both power and wired Internet connections.



Periodicals / Newspapers

The periodical / newspaper area demonstrates the Commons concept.

Shelving, tables and seating are arranged to facilitate informal gatherings. Though the room is large, it is divided into zones that are small and private enough for tutors, meetings and socializing.

Instead of having special areas for young adults and other groups, the Library designed a multipurpose area that, depending upon the time of day and situation, is capable of meeting just about any community need.





Internet / Coffeehouse

The Commons has two catalog stations and eight Internet workstations, provided in cooperation with Solarus and Charter Communications. Unlike the Upper Level workstations, these are designed for collaborative use, which is especially popular with students, families and gamers.

The Commons is home to the McMillan Coffeehouse. The Coffeehouse is operated and staffed by the Library. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. An array of cookies, bars and other fine food is part of the service.

The Library's audiovisual collection (DVDs, audiobooks and music CDs) are displayed in the Commons. Aisles are extra wide to accommodate the heavy use these collections generate and provide a sense of spaciousness.

 



Circulation Services / Lower Lobby
The Circulation Services desk helps patrons with registration, late fees and other issues. This is the only service point on the Lower Level and, like the Information Desk, is staffed during all open hours.

About 80% of all circulation is handled through Self-Checkout stations, two on the Lower Level and one in the Upper Lobby. The self-check screens are mirrored for staff use so that we can provide immediate assistance.

Holds are stored in this area, waiting for patrons to pick them up. Holds are stored under the first three letters of the patron's last name and the first letter of their first name (Andy Barnett = BAR, A).

In 2002, McMillan faced severe financial stress. To minimize the impact on public services  both staffing and services were redesigned. Doing More with Less: the McMillan Experience originally appeared in the May/June 2007 issue of Public Libraries. It was updated in February 2009. A description of our efforts to maximize self-service is also available.

.0509010017.JPG (635459 bytes)

M2005_1130AC.JPG (1104319 bytes)

 

Lower Lobby

The Lower Lobby is often used for displays, though it is also a popular socializing area. This area has another locked display case, which can be booked through the Business Office.

Meeting Rooms
 Internet Access in our meeting rooms is provided in cooperation with Solarus. Please book these rooms on-line.
Fine Arts Center - A 260 seat theater with high definition video projector, dressing rooms and sound system. No food or drink is permitted in this room.

Fine Arts Center at McMillan Memorial Library
All Purpose Room - Seats up to 80, tables, kitchenette available upon request. Food and drink allowed. Coffee service from the McMillan Coffeehouse is available.

 
Margaret McCourt Conference Room - Seats 10 - 25. This room is located on the Upper Level. Follow the sign from the Upper Lobby. Drink allowed. Coffee service from the McMillan Coffeehouse is available.

 

Public Art
Historic Mural
This mural depicts the various buildings that have housed the library. It can be viewed outside the Library's entrance. It is one of a series of murals by the artist located throughout Wisconsin Rapids.

mural012.JPG (1288104 bytes)
Space Station (1981)
Sculptor Paul Yank describes his work, "Space Station": "This is an environmental sculpture, which is meant to involve the view in active participation in the sculpture and its changing colors. The slightest movement of the viewer or the sculpture changes the combination of the many layers of color, thus mixing primary colors into many hues." This sculpture is located under the skylight in the Adult Room. It was a gift from the Consolidated Papers Foundations, Inc.

More about Paul Yank and his artwork.
Enlightenment (1982)
Paul Yank states that his 7' x 5' sculpture is a humanized sunburst radiating from its enveloped center to its extended arms, thus, developing new growth and many varying possibilities of life on earth. The symbol is also to represent the Library, a civic and cultural center for the South Wood County community. With the many disciplines and resources that one can find, study and make part of one's individual life. The Library is truly a source of enlightenment. The sculpture is located on the exterior wall of the Library near the entrance. It is a gift from the Arts Council of South Wood County.
Backwater Diptych by Gary Bowling
Given in memory of Barbara Brennan by family, friends and associates. This work is located in the McCourt Conference Room. 		 
Tropical Fertility by Chris Borggen
This mosaic is one of the first pictures made using small pieces of Consoweld laminated plastic. Consoweld was manufactured in Wisconsin Rapids and used for long-wearing decorative surfaces on counter tops and furniture. Consoweld Corporation was a subsidiary of Consolidated Papers, Inc. from 1953 to 1985.  Artist Chris Borggen made the mosaic in 1960 for Mr. and Mrs. Jay Somers, who donated it to McMillan Memorial Library in 1996. This item is located in the Adult Room, near the Job Center and photocopier.		  
The Hmong Journey
Created by Youa Vang and Bao Lee Vang. Presented to McMillan Memorial Library by John and Judy Steele and the Friends of McMillan Library. This item is located on the southwest wall of the Library Commons.		  
Julia White and Evelyn Funmaker
from the series The Ho Chunk People by Tom Jones, Photographer.
Presented to the Children's Department of the McMillan Memorial Library by Joe & Lupe Ancel, Elaine Bushmaker, Peter Crawford, Susan Feith, Jeffry & Joan Johannes, Ron McCabe, George Mead, Russ & Jackie Miller, Edith Nash, Joyce Radtke, Mary Beth Rokus and Gloria Zager. This item is located in the Story Corner of the Children's Room.
The Fish Dock / Flight South
The Curious Doe / Door County Headlands
by Gerhard C.F. Miller.
In memory of Ruth Palmer Byers (1893-1974)
mother of Deborah Byers Bennett.
These items are located in the Upper Lobby.
Wild Howling Waste
by Charles Dio
Presented to the McMillan Memorial Library by Mary McMillan Burt in memory of Laertes N. Burt. Located on the west wall of the Library Commons.		  
Wakely House by Gloria Janetski
Donated in memory of John Paul Getzen
by The Arts Council of South Wood County. Located in the Adult Room near the Adult Tech Zone.
Anticipation by Pat Ruesch
Presented to McMillan Memorial Library in memory of
Philip H. Flatt from friends. Located in the Adult Room near the Adult Tech Zone.
The McCourt Conference Room also houses a painting of Margaret "Mugs" McCourt and formal photographs of Anna McMillan, Mary McMillan Burt, Emily Mead Baldwin Bell, George Mead, T.B. Scott, Alice McCaul Hayward, Richard Brazeau and J.D. Witter.