Check It Out

April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.

T. S. Eliot (1888-1965). The Waste Land, 1922.


In Wisconsin, April can indeed be cruel. The weather just never gets quite warm enough. But there is hope and we see it every year; buds on the trees, crocuses popping up. It’s time to start cleaning up the yard, deck or patio and doing some gardening!

As spring rolls around, the gardening books are waiting once again to venture into the many homes where vision and planning produce a long show season. Need something on gardening from the balcony, in containers, or in the greenhouse? Looking for a climbing plant or a bush to plant in that shady area in your back yard? How about producing fruits and vegetables for the next winter season? Looking for something more? Dig into landscape design and try a garden wall, or a sprinkling system. From weeds to garden walks the Wauwatosa Public Library’s collection can offer ideas, solutions and instruction. Here are some recent additions to the library’s extensive collection of gardening books:

Best garden plants for Minnesota and Wisconsin by Don Engebretson

Bird-by-bird gardening: the ultimate guide to bringing in your favorite birds
by Sally Roth

Compleat squash: a passionate grower’s guide to pumpkins, squash & gourds
by Amy Goldman

Elegant silvers: striking plants for every garden by Jo Ann Gardener

Gardening among friends: 65 practical essays by master gardeners

Hardscaping: how to use structures, pathways, patios & ornaments in your garden
by Keith Davitt

Outside the not so big house: creating the landscape of home by Julie Moir Messervy

Small garden by John Brookes

Scotts sprinklers & watering systems

To coincide with National Library Week, the library will be holding its annual spring used book sale April 21st and 22nd.

There will be thousands of books for sale: hard covers, paperbacks, children’s books and dozens of specially priced items and sets.

In addition to all the books, you will find a number of videos, cassettes and CDs for sale.

So, mark your calendars-Saturday, April 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 22nd from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

It’s that time of year again!

As in past years, the library will be making state and federal tax forms and publications available in the adult library. AARP tax assistance for seniors will be available until April 10th in the Civic Center, Room 1.

Call the library Information Desk to make an appointment at 471-8485.

“When words leave off, music begins”
- Heinrich Heine,
German romantic poet, 1797-1856

We are pleased to say, the library is making available yet another online database to library patrons. The Classical Music Library is a database of tens of thousands of classical recordings from Medieval to contemporary music including symphonies, chamber music, choral works and operas.

In addition, audio selections are cross referenced to a database of supplemental information about the musicians and the music. Also included in this database, are the Smithsonian Global and the American Song libraries of music, expanding this resource to include world music and American folk songs. Simply search, select, listen and enjoy.

Wauwatosa residents can access the Classical Music Library from their personal computers. Look for the new link on the Library’s home page.