Monroe Street Library League

05/31/2026

A great opportunity for kids who love to write!

05/22/2026

June 1 is the first day of the summer reading program!

05/12/2026

Summer is just around the corner, and our WE READ summer reading program will return on June 1! Pick up a WE READ map, get your WE READ bag, and make plans to meet your WE READ Bubbler Artist-in-Residence (one at every library location) for creative art-making programs from June - August.

This summer, we're hosting a special Summer Reading Kick-Off event in Reindahl Park in partnership with Forward Madison FC! Drop by on June 1 to pick up everything you need to start your summer reading adventure, enjoy a meet and greet with players from the Flamingos, and take a selfie with the 'Mingos mascot Strut! Plus, we'll be giving away writer's notebooks and bookmarks for the Youth Voices Writing Contest.

Start your summer reading adventure and get your first glimpse (from afar) of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park as we kick-off WE READ together from 2:30-4pm on Monday, June 1. No registration required; refreshments provided. madpl.org/weread

The WE READ program is funded by Madison Public Library Foundation, American Family Insurance Championship American Insurance Foundation and the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation, Roots & Wings Foundation, and Jane Doughty & David Wood.

05/12/2026

Exciting news that Care Richardson will be the Monroe Street Library artist-in-residence this summer!

Meet this year's WE READ Bubbler Artists-in-Residence!

We're bringing local artists into library spaces to lead hands-on, creative experiences for kids and families - each artist will lead recurring programs at their location between June and August, with schedules varying by location. These programs blend art, storytelling, and community engagement, encouraging participants to explore creativity as part of their literacy journey.

We've got some returning artists this year, including Elias Mittelstadt, Renee Good, and Meghan Rosing, and a slew of new artists, too - welcome Anupama Bhattacharya, Brooke Baum, Care Richardson, Jaycee Haas, and Monica Cliff!

We'll also have art-making programs at every Dream Bus stop all summer long beginning June 22. Visit madpl.org/weread to see the schedule for your The Bubbler at Madison Public Library artist and make plans to attend their programs.

Thanks to American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation for making the WE READ Bubbler Artist-in-Residence programs possible this summer.

05/10/2026

This event is an important fundraiser for the Monroe Street Library was well as the rest of the Madison Public Library system.

Save the Date! Our joint book sale with other Friends of the Madison Public Library groups is Saturday, August 1st from 9am-2pm. This event is HUGE, with a selection of books from six libraries!

We can’t wait to see you there!

https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/special-series/book-sales

05/02/2026

May 2 is Free Comic Book Day at the Monroe Street Library!

04/30/2026

On Tuesday, May 5 at 10:30, 'Nature Everywhere' will present a a free kids program for ages 2-7 called Spring Animals We Have Known at the Monroe Street Library. Come and celebrate the return of migratory birds, the emergence of hibernators, the birth of baby animals, and more! You’ll get to know some Wisconsin animal families, learn the names of their babies, along with stories, songs, and animal yoga. In partnership with the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. No advanced registration required, childcare groups welcome! This program is funded by the Monroe Street Library League.

04/26/2026

This Tuesday, April 28, from 10:30-11:30am kids are invited to experience The Wonder of Birds. This interactive storytelling experience, led by traditional oral storyteller Coral Conant Gilles, begins with stories about birds, and through movement and imagination, children become part of the storytelling experience. After the stories, each child will create their own decomposable, nut-free bird feeder to take home. We'll wrap up with a group song and a short "Wonder Wander" to observe and listen for birds in nature.

04/20/2026

Happy National Library Week - we are so grateful for our branch library, and the important role it plays in our community!

Today is the first day of National Library Week (April 19-25)! This annual celebration highlights the important role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities.

This year's theme is Find Your Joy - whether it’s finding new titles, learning something new, or creating and connecting with others through art and community programs, the library offers countless ways to experience joy. This week, we want to hear what sparks joy for you! Visit any of our nine library locations or the Dream Bus and fill out a Share Your Story postcard, detailing how library services, resources, collections, and spaces spark joy. Plus, pick up free library and reading-themed stickers!

Library supporters can also participate remotely by using the Library Value Calculator online to estimate how much they save by using library services each month and filling out a form to share why the library is important to them. How much does library joy cost? It's free! Try the library value calculator at madpl.org/value or learn more about what we've got planned this week at madpl.org/nationallibraryweek

04/19/2026

On Tuesday April 28, kids ages 2-7 are invited to a free Bird Connection program from 10:30 to 11:30 at the Monroe St Library. Traditional oral storyteller Coral Conant Gilles will begin with stories about birds, told through movement and imagination, and then each child will make a nut-free bird feeder to take home. No registration is required - childcare groups welcome. Sponsored by the Monroe Street Library League.