Bayfield, Wisconsin — Lake Superior South Shore
A public library housed in a Carnegie-endowed stone building on Broad Street since 1901 — open to Bayfield residents and visitors, and still very much in operation.
About
The Bayfield Carnegie Library is one of roughly 2,500 public libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy between 1883 and 1929. The Bayfield branch, at 37 N Broad Street, has been in continuous service since its establishment in the early twentieth century — a working civic institution in a town of fewer than 500 permanent residents.
Bayfield sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Superior, the westernmost point of Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands coastline. The library occupies a position near the center of town, within walking distance of the waterfront and the commercial blocks that serve both locals and the seasonal visitors who arrive for the Apostle Islands and the region’s orchards.
The building reflects the standard Carnegie template: modest in footprint, built with durable local materials, intended to outlast any one administration or generation of patrons. After more than a century, it does.
What’s Available
The following reflects the standard range of services a Carnegie-branch public library of this type provides. For current hours, collection specifics, or program schedules, contact the library directly at (715) 779‑3953.
Find the Library
Telephone
Hours
Contact the library directly for current hours.
Hours for public libraries of this size often vary seasonally. Calling ahead — especially outside summer months — is advisable.
Getting There
The library is on N Broad Street in the center of Bayfield, approximately one block east of the Lake Superior waterfront. Street parking is available along Broad Street.