MAYVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Mayville Public Library is soon to become the Ted and Grace Bachhuber Memorial Library, and it will be located at 234 N John St. When it opens its doors in the fall of 2023, the community will have access to all the abundant beautiful spaces it will provide. With a community living room, four study rooms, a large and small conference room, an activity room, two large event spaces, and a dedicated teen space, this new facility will offer something for all.

The library in Mayville is a member of the Monarch Library System, which includes 32 libraries in Dodge, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Washington counties. Through the library, cardholders have access to a myriad of physical and digital resources.

In 1904, Miss Lutie Stearns of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission addressed a meeting to share her conviction that Mayville should have a public library. That very evening, a Library Association was formed, a constitution was adopted, and officers were selected. The library opened on November 9, 1904, with 250 books, supplemented by 50 German and English books delivered by the Traveling Library every month. Etta Barott was the first librarian, who, for $5.00 a month, presided over the small library, which was housed in one room over the former State Bank of Mayville.

Just 7 months later, the number of books in the library had more than doubled, and by November 1905, the library moved to a larger room on the ground floor of the building at 4 S Main St. Since then, the library has been housed at 130 S Main St, 11 N School St, in the Joe Bachhuber Building at 44 N Main St, and temporarily at the old bank building on the corner of Bridge St and Main St. On February 18, 1968, the library moved to 111 N Main St, where it has stood for 55 years. In 2023, residents will be able to enjoy the resources, services, programs, and spaces at the new facility at 234 N John St.

Libraries have changed over the years to match the times. Today, besides print materials, our patrons have access to over 60 databases, video games, kits, our library of things, and thousands of digital books, movies, and magazines. They can achieve personal growth by taking any of over 600 online classes (many with CE credits) through Universal Classes. They can learn new crafts through Creative Bug or investigate their heritage through Genealogy.com Library Edition and Family Search Affiliate access. Community members can enjoy new experiences and meet people through our monthly programming and special events or by borrowing one of our passes to nearby attractions.