The Oak Creek Public Library is set to launch a new digital initiative aimed at enhancing the e-reading experience for local residents. In collaboration with other Milwaukee County public libraries, Oak Creek will introduce a Lucky Day digital collection, providing immediate access to popular titles through the Libby app and reducing wait times. The collection will be available across all Milwaukee County public libraries, ensuring broad access for community members, the City of Oak Creek announced.
For the 2026 budget, the Library Board allocated $5,100 for Oak Creek’s portion of the Lucky Day collection, allowing for additional resources when possible. After reviewing multiple options in 2025, library staff selected OverDrive’s Libby platform. According to the City of Oak Creek, “This Lucky Day collection will feature popular, high-demand titles that are available without holds or wait times for readers and listeners of all ages, with a special emphasis on audiobooks.”
For Milwaukee County, the initiative represents a combined investment of $100,000 to launch a sustainable digital reading program. Libraries in the network have the option to contribute beyond their base allocation to expand the collection. The Oak Creek Public Library noted that Libby was chosen for practical reasons, including its scalable cost model, which allows libraries to plan their budgets without facing unpredictable expenses.
Libby is widely used among Milwaukee County residents and is the county’s most popular app for digital borrowing. “Libby is already the most widely used and preferred app for digital borrowing among Milwaukee County residents, with more than one million items downloaded each year,” the City of Oak Creek. The Lucky Day collection will provide immediate access to high-demand titles, similar to the availability of physical library materials.
The expansion is set to launch on January 1, 2026, with the Oak Creek Public Library preparing to inform patrons about the new features. While holds in Libby will still exist, the library said the Lucky Day collection is expected to reduce wait times, better meet community demand, and enhance the overall digital borrowing experience.
