 The Milwaukee Public Library dates to February 7 , 1878 , when the Wisconsin State Legislature authorized the city to form a public library . Linderfelt had taken an interest in libraries and was hired to be its first librarian in 1880 . With his new post , Linderfelt joined the ranks of Milwaukee 's elite and his family took up residence on Grand Avenue . He also made the acquaintance of numerous important figures in the library profession , and was especially close to William Frederick Poole . 
