Madison Public Library

Madison Public Library Madison Public Library's Central Library is open 7 days/week. See the full hours online at madpl.org/

Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for more than 145 years. Our nine locations throughout the City of Madison are open six days per week and welcome over 2.2 million visits each year. Visit the library online at http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org. Our social media policy reflects that of the City of Madison. You can read the full policy here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/policy/social-media

Beginning next week, we will be giving away FREE children’s tickets to the Blooming Butterflies exhibit in partnership w...
06/23/2026

Beginning next week, we will be giving away FREE children’s tickets to the Blooming Butterflies exhibit in partnership with Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

Blooming Butterflies is an annual event featuring up to 19 different species of butterflies. Don’t miss a chance to learn about the butterfly life cycle and maybe even watch the first time a butterfly spreads its wings!

Plus, every child who attends will receive a coupon for a free junior scoop of ice cream from Chocolate Shoppe. Our libraries will be giving away tickets over the next few weeks at every location, including the Dream Bus and at Parks Alive events.

Tickets apply to ages 6-12 (kids 5 and under already get in free). Tickets for adults (ages 13 & up) are $8 and can be purchased at the Olbrich Gardens the day of your visit. The Blooming Butterflies event runs from July 15 - August 9. Learn more at madpl.org/bloomingbutterflies

As we officially enter the summer season, it's only appropriate to introduce you to some of the wonderful features that ...
06/23/2026

As we officially enter the summer season, it's only appropriate to introduce you to some of the wonderful features that will surround the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park.

The park is one of the largest in the city at 90.72 acres, and there are a ton of great amenities that residents and future library visitors can take advantage of when they visit.

Reindahl Park is home to nine reservable multipurpose fields often used for soccer, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, or football. They may be used on a first-come, first-served basis if not already reserved, and reservations can be made online. Additionally, visitors can utilize the eight tennis courts (four of which are striped for pickleball), reserve the basketball court for a league, lesson, or tournament, or call the athletic scheduler to get in on the cricket fields. Did you know that only three parks in the whole city have cricket fields, and Reindahl Park is one of them?

For families, the epic splash pad at Reindahl Park is the perfect way to beat the heat! The splash pad is open daily during the summer from 10am to 8pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

What are you most looking forward to trying out in Reindahl Park?

In July, there'll be 4 opportunities to join the Wiggles and Words storytime at Goodman South Madison Library!Engaging w...
06/22/2026

In July, there'll be 4 opportunities to join the Wiggles and Words storytime at Goodman South Madison Library!

Engaging with books, songs, and play helps children develop communication skills, patience, empathy, and pre-reading skills. This storytime is intended for kids 5 and under (and their older siblings), to read and play together. Continue supporting your child's development each Monday from 11:30am - 12:30pm.

Your first opportunity to join will be July 6. See the full schedule at madpl.org/wigglesandwords

The first Dance Around the World session begins tomorrow morning at 10:30am at (right next door to Hawthorne Library at...
06/21/2026

The first Dance Around the World session begins tomorrow morning at 10:30am at (right next door to Hawthorne Library at 2709 East Washington Ave.).

These movement classes are intentionally designed for ages 2-5, and all levels of participation are welcome - although caregiver participation is encouraged for ages 3 and under.

Dance Around the World is led by Anapuma, who will serve later this summer as Hawthorne Library's WE READ Bubbler Artist-in-Residence, so this is a great opportunity to get to know her now through this fun, 6-week series on Monday mornings. No registration is required.

Learn more at madpl.org/danceworld

Photo: Erica Pinigis, courtesy of Isthmus Dance Collective

This Tuesday, June 23, join the Make Music Madison group at High Noon Saloon for an evening celebrating the rich history...
06/21/2026

This Tuesday, June 23, join the Make Music Madison group at High Noon Saloon for an evening celebrating the rich history of Madison music venues!

During this event - The Music Venues We Have Loved - you're invited to come and share your own stories, photos, ticket stubs, posters, or handbills from an unforgettable show at a local venue, past or present. A group of panelists who made an important contribution to those places and the local music scene will also share their reflections, and you'll be able to join in the discussion.

This free event is part of Make History Madison, a participatory story-sharing project about land, place, and local history featuring a citywide Map250 interactive story platform.

Learn more and register at madpl.org/america250

There are less than two weeks left to submit your work to the Youth Voices Writing Contest! Submissions are accepted unt...
06/21/2026

There are less than two weeks left to submit your work to the Youth Voices Writing Contest! Submissions are accepted until Tuesday, June 30.

This year’s theme for the contest is “Community in Action,” and we want to see what that means to you: submissions can be in the form of short stories, poems, comics, and more.

Not sure where to start? Look for our free writer’s notebooks across library locations. Journal, draft, sketch, doodle—whatever you need to start creating. When ready, head over to madpl.org/youthvoices to submit.

Open to ages 18 and under in the Madison area.

Join the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets for the third annual Sequoya Summer Festival of Poetry next Saturday, June 27 fro...
06/20/2026

Join the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets for the third annual Sequoya Summer Festival of Poetry next Saturday, June 27 from 1-4pm!

This year's featured poet is Kelsey Bigelow, a 2024 Pushcart Prize nominee, a finalist for the 2023 Button Poetry Video Contest, and a short-list finalist for the 2023 Central Avenue Poetry Prize. Bigelow will be joined by more than 10 other amazing local poets who will read selections of their work.

You won't want to miss this free event celebrating poetry in our community. This year's festival will also feature a tribute to Jackie Langetieg by Mary Rowin, Martha Kaplan, and Sandy Stark. Light refreshments will be provided. No registration required.

On July 3, from 5:45-8pm, Lakeview Library will host their monthly First Friday Film Screening, and this time it's the m...
06/20/2026

On July 3, from 5:45-8pm, Lakeview Library will host their monthly First Friday Film Screening, and this time it's the movie Cyrano (2021).

In the story, we follow Cyrano de Bergerac, a nobleman, military man, and poet who is secretly in love with his friend Roxanne and, believing he is unworthy of her love, agrees to ghostwrite love letters for the man she loves.

Visit madpl.org/firstfridayfilms to learn more about First Friday Film nights at Lakeview Library.

Reminder: All Madison Public Library locations are closed today (Friday, June 19) in honor of Juneteenth. See what's ava...
06/19/2026

Reminder: All Madison Public Library locations are closed today (Friday, June 19) in honor of Juneteenth. See what's available online at madpl.org/libraryclosed

Don't forget, we'll be attending the Juneteenth celebration this weekend in Penn Park! Stop by the Madison Public Library table between 12-3pm to pick up your WE READ summer reading materials, get a library card, nab a free WE READ bag (while supplies last), and enjoy an interactive art activity from the Bubbler. Library staff will be on hand to answer questions and share additional resources.

The City of Madison, Wisconsin Government will host another Budget Engagement Session next week on Wednesday, June 24.Th...
06/18/2026

The City of Madison, Wisconsin Government will host another Budget Engagement Session next week on Wednesday, June 24.

This session will focus on Planning & Transportation, with agencies like Metro Transit, City of Madison Planning, Community, & Economic Development, Parking, and Traffic Engineering, on hand to answer questions during the open house from 6-7pm. Following the open house, Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke will do a short presentation about the City of Madison budget process for 2027, followed by a Q&A with alders.

The goal of these public meetings is to provide an opportunity for you to speak directly with City staff about your ideas, concerns, and priorities for Madison's future. Don't miss the chance to make your voice heard! Register to attend: https://bit.ly/madisonbudget27

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201 W Mifflin Street
Madison, WI
53703

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