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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will operating costs increase as a result of the new library?

A: Because the new library will be considerably larger than the current library, one would expect staffing costs, as well as heating, cooling and electrical costs, to increase. We are in the process of taking steps to minimize these operational cost increases. Designed into the architectural plan are several cost-efficient features, including the extensive use of natural lighting and high-efficiency glass windows, as well as fuel-efficient heating and cooling systems. In order to moderate staff costs, we will implement a new technology for checking in and out materials when we move into the new library. This technology, called RFID – radio frequency identification – will dramatically streamline staff handling of materials though the use of self-check-out machines and automated bulk check-in and sorting. We expect these measures will significantly impact our ability to keep operating costs under control.

Q: Once the new library is built, how will you cover increased operating costs?

A:  Once the new library is built, furnished and equipped, the Library Foundation will work toward the establishment of an endowment fund to help offset increases in operating costs.

Q: What impact will funding for the new library have on my taxes?

Q: Do we really need a new library in Greenfield, when there are libraries in surrounding communities that are just 10-15 minute drive away?

A: “Pledged to Progress” is the motto of the City of Greenfield. Quality of life issues and lifelong educational opportunities contribute to a community’s ability to attract new residents and businesses, and encourage homeowner and business investment. A well-maintained public library, equipped with ample informational resources and technology, plays a vital role in contributing to this quality of life and extending economic and lifelong educational opportunities to all.

Q: Will people outside of Greenfield be using our library?

A:  Yes. The Greenfield Public Library is a member of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System. This means that any resident of Milwaukee County can utilize any one of the 28 public libraries or branches in the county that is most convenient and most suitable to their needs. This system yields many benefits to Greenfield residents, including access to more than 4.5 million items from libraries throughout the county including many that the Greenfield Library does not own.

Q: Is there cooperation among the libraries?  Are services being duplicated?

A: In the state of Wisconsin, public libraries are a model for cooperation among agencies across municipal lines.  Through extensive resource-sharing agreements and shared automation systems, duplication of materials and services is minimized. At the current time, Greenfield residents have access to many types of materials that are shared freely among the 28 libraries within the Milwaukee county library system. For example, if the Whitefish Bay Library has a copy of an obscure movie that you are looking for, it can easily and quickly be shipped to a convenient neighborhood library at no charge. If the Milwaukee Public Library has a rare old book you need, you as a Greenfield resident are allowed to use it at no charge.

Q: How will the new Greenfield Public Library be different or better than other libraries in the area?

A: The current Greenfield Public Library specializes in classic films, large print materials for the visually handicapped, and an extensive collection of music CDs. These special collections will be maintained and enhanced in the new library. In addition, we are planning several special features for the new library that will be distinct and unique, and very valuable to the community. These features include:

o   an amply sized, bright and cheerful children’s area where parents and their children can attend a story time or find age-appropriate materials and get assistance from specially trained librarians;

o   an attractive coffee kiosk where visitors can grab a cup of hot coffee and a roll, or juice and a cookie for the children;

o   a sound-proofed music practice/performance studio with a grand piano;

o   a business conference room equipped with the latest in technology for videoconferencing and high-speed computer access;

o   a community room with seating capacity for 100 equipped with a kitchenette and overhead projection equipment where civic and cultural events will take place;

o   a  comfortable periodical reading area with soft seating and a fireplace where people can read the latest magazine or newspaper or curl up with a great book;

o   a computer lab with more than 20 computers for community use, running the latest software for school and office applications;

o   Free Wi-Fi access available throughout the library for students and business people carrying their own laptop computers;

o   All these features, as well as our standard services, are available to all residents at no charge. This means that each of our citizens, regardless of their financial means, has equal access to our educational and informational resources for the betterment of their lives and the enrichment of the community.

Q: Why does the library need to move to another location?

A: The selected location at 5310 W. Layton Avenue will be conveniently located on one of Greenfield’s busiest commercial streets. It is within walking distance of many residential neighborhoods, a number of schools, and is across from Konkel Park. The new library will play a prominent role in the development of the “municipal campus” which will include the Law Enforcement Center, the Fire Station, and the Bicentennial Fountain.  Renovating the vacated police department building allows us to make economical use of an existing city structure and therefore to stretch our scarce dollars farthest to build the best library possible.

Q: How will the library stay current with technology?  Won’t that be expensive?

A: Keeping up with technology is always a challenge for a community, one that must be met if students and other residents are to remain competitive in this computer age. With the guidance of local experts and educators, the Library Foundation will seek to create an endowment and search out gifts and grants to help keep our technology current.

Q: Will the new library offer more CDs and DVDs for checkout?

A: The new library will have ample space designated for the display of music CDs and DVDs—two of our most popular collections.

Q: In terms of usage, how many people are currently using the Greenfield Public Library?

A: Many people do not realize it, but the Greenfield Public Library is one of the busiest public libraries in Milwaukee County, having circulated more than 300,000 items in 2007.

Q: Now that so much information can be found on the Internet, won’t libraries become obsolete in the future?

A: Many people have the false impression that the Internet has replaced the need for public libraries because there is so much information available on the Web. It is true that many people use the Internet to find information. But research does hold support the claim that libraries have become obsolete. Results just released on a study by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction showed that in 2006 public libraries experienced a continued increase in use of most types of their  services, including the check out of materials (up 3% over 2005) and attendance at library programs such as story time for children (up 2.6% over 2005.) Since 1996, the year the Internet began to be introduced into homes and libraries, public library check-outs increased 28% from 47 million to 60 million items.

Use of public libraries in Wisconsin ranks high nationally, placing Wisconsin residents as 11^th highest in the number of library visits per capita. An estimated 3.3 million Wisconsin residents, or nearly 60% of the state population, are registered public library users.

A study released in December 2007 by the Pew Internet and American Life Project and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign confirmed these state-wide trends. The Pew study found that young adults are the heaviest users of public libraries “despite the ease with which they can access a wealth of information over the Internet from the comforts of their homes.” One author of the study portrayed young adults as “the ones likely to have visited libraries as teens and seen their transformation into information hubs, with computers and databases alongside stacks of printed books.”  Described as having an “information hunger,” they seek information that cannot be found on the Internet related to health, schooling, jobs, government benefits and other life issues. "The age of books isn't yet over," said Lee Rainie, Pew's director. Leigh Estabrook, a retired professor of information science and sociology at the University of Illinois, said young adults used to finding information online are likely to crave even more and realize they need to turn to libraries to get it.

Q: What is the size of the current library and how big will the new Library be?

A: The new library will cover more than 30,000 square feet, considerably larger and closer to design standards for a community the size of Greenfield. By comparison, our current library is 10,000 square feet, the smallest in the state of Wisconsin in square feet per capita of city residents. This additional space will allow us to create an adequately sized children’s area, a special area for young adults and specialized materials selected for them, as well as more computers for public use and more comfortable seating and work space for the public.

Q: Will the new library offer more programs and services with the additional space?

A: In the new library, we plan to expand our services, especially to children and young adults who have been underserved in our cramped quarters in the old library with additional story time and literacy programs, as well as book discussions for young adults. In our Community Room on the lower level, we also plan to offer as many civic, cultural and community events as scheduling will allow. Our highest hope is that the library will become a hub of community activity, bringing services to all sectors of our population.

Q: When will the new library be built?

A:  We hope to begin construction on May 1, 2008. If everything goes according to schedule, we will be opening the new Greenfield Public Library in the spring of 2009.

Q: Will you have to close the current library while you are building the new one?

A: At the current time, we plan to close the library for about one week while we move our books and equipment into the new building.

Common Council

District One: Mr. Donald Carlson

District Two: Mr. Thomas Pietrowski

District Three: Mr. Karl Kastner

District Four: Mr. Donald Almquist

District Five: Mrs. Shirley Saryan

Mayor Michael J. Neitzke