About
The library is open to all of the Universities of Wisconsin community and the collection may be searched online via the library catalog. Wisconsin residents are also welcome to check out books using the Borrow Materials form or in person by visiting the library.
The library is located on the west end of the UW-Madison campus, in Goodnight Hall.
Books, documents, reports, microfiche, most newsletters and the current issues of journals are in room 238. Back issues of journals are in our annex, room 232A. The librarian is in room 247.
Visit the library
Hours
Monday – Wednesday
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday – Friday
By appointment
Saturday – Sunday
Closed
Contact Us
askwater@aqua.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3069
Mission
The Wisconsin Water Library’s mission is to collect, preserve and provide science-based resources in support of the UW Aquatic Sciences Center and the two programs it administers, the Water Resources Institute and the Sea Grant Institute by:
- Participating in outreach to Wisconsin residents of all ages to heighten awareness of the Great Lakes and Wisconsin’s water resources;
- Supporting the educational and research activities of the Aquatic Sciences Center;
- Preserving the library collection for future as well as historical value.
History
Established in 1964 by the UW Water Resources Institute, the Wisconsin Water Library (formerly known as the Water Resources Library) is unique among UW-Madison’s many libraries for its collection of 30,000 volumes about the waters of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes.
The library is also heavily involved in the education program of Wisconsin Sea Grant. Sea Grant provides professional development opportunities and educational resources to formal and informal educators across Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If you are part of the Universities of Wisconsin community (staff, faculty, etc.) or an adult resident of Wisconsin, you are welcome to use the library and borrow materials.
Ask a question using our Ask Water form, or call us. We welcome reference and research questions, materials suggestions, and comments.
The librarian makes outreach visits to present programs at many Wisconsin libraries. Explore outreach programs available and contact us at askwater@aqua.wisc.edu to request a visit.
The Wisconsin Water Library offers book clubs for the public: Maadagindan on Ojibwe culture and the Great Lakes and Dive Into History, which explores maritime history and shipwrecks. The library is a co-host for the basin-wide reading program, Great Lakes, Great Read.
The Wisconsin Water Library’s collection is available for checkout to Wisconsin residents. If you are not a resident, contact your local public library to request materials through Interlibrary Loan.
Please reach out – we are ready to help.
UW-Madison Libraries Policies
Since the Wisconsin Water Library is part of the UW-Madison library community, certain policies of the UW-Madison Libraries apply. Please contact us at askwater@aqua.wisc.edu with any questions.
Questions? Get in touch.
Wisconsin Water Library staff are happy to answer questions and assist with research. Contact us to get started or plan a visit.