Planning for the Future: A New Central Library

Project Background

The Central Library Disposal Surplus Property Criteria and Selection Committee was appointed in 2008 by Mayor Cieslewicz to request and analyze development proposals for a new Central Library. In June 2009, the Library Board approved the Fiore/Irgens proposal for a new library. In July and August, the Common Council heard presentations on the merits of a new building and on renovation of the existing building, and on August 31, the Mayor shared part of his 2010 Capital Budget which included a new Central Library as part of a redevelopment of the block. Follow the entire progress of the Central Library through news stories, Library Board meeting minutes, or the brief timeline below (with planning documents).

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Timeline and Planning Documents

see also upcoming meetings about the Central Library project

• Week of November 10 - Common Council considers the mayor's 2010 Capital and Operating Budgets - watch online at Madison City Channel or follow Laptop City Hall for live updates
• On Monday, October 12 the Board of Estimates rejected a bid for a binding public referendum on the proposed Central Library.
• Report on Deferred Maintenance at Madison Public Library (Central Library) prepared by Mark Benno, Administrative Services Manager (September 4, 2009)
• Mayor Cieslewicz introduces his 2010 Capital Budget which calls for a new Central Library and a redeveloped block (August 31, 2009)
• Financial Comparison of Central Library Proposals prepared by Andrew J. Statz, Mayor's Office (August 27, 2009)
• Fiore-Irgens Venture I, LLC releases New Madison Central Library briefing memorandum (August 2009) and begins a Facebook group of new library supporters
• Library Board recommends the Fiore-Irgens project (June 2009)
• Central Library Disposal Surplus Property Criteria and Selection Committee recommends the Fiore-Irgens project (May 2009)
• Surplus Committee Questions and Answers (April 2009)
• Hammel, Green and Abrahamson Proposal Photos and Rehabilitation Options (April 2009)
• Fundraising Feasibility Report from the Madison Public Library Foundation (March 2009)
• Financial Comparison between T. Wall, Fiore/Irgens, and HGA Proposals (February 2009)
• T. Wall Properties and Fiore Companies combined Proposal Summaries (February 2009)
• Fiore Companies/Irgens Development Partners: Plan, including floor plans and Fiore/Irgens project web site and a project blog (November 2008)
• T. Wall Properties: Plan, including floor plans and T. Wall Properties project web site (November 2008)
• Original Request for Proposals (2008)
• Library Board votes to issue a Request for Proposals for a new Central Library
• T. Wall Properties proposes a new Central Library (April 2008)

Other Informational Documents and Videos

see also news stories about the Central Library by local media

• Fact Sheet on Central Library and Fact Sheet on Central Library for Branches prepared by Library Staff (September 14, 2009)
• Access City Hall, with Stu Levitan: "A New Central Library" (8/26/09, requires Real Media player)
• Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz: Public Hearing on the 2010 City of Madison Budget: August 17, 2009 (8/17/09, requires Real Media player)
• Madison Common Council: Presentation on Rehabbing the Central Library: August 6, 2009 (8/6/09, requires Real Media player)
• Madison Common Council: Central Library Proposal Presentation: July 13, 2009 (7/13/09, requires Real Media player)

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History of the Central Library

Madison's first public library, the Madison Free Library, opened in on May 31, 1875 in two rooms on the second floor of the former City Treasurer's office in City Hall, located on the Capitol Square at the intersection of West Mifflin Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The first free-standing library building, completed in 1906, initially served a population of 23,000.

The current Madison Public Library building was officially dedicated on June 23, 1965. The existing structure was designed to serve a community of 157,000 and was planned to provide service to a population of up to 240,000.

For an online history, see All Their Ways Are Helping Ways: Stories from the History of Madison Public Library. To read more, check out Free and Public: One Hundred Years with Madison Public Library by Janet Smith Ela. 1975. - Reserve the library book

Photo: The interior of the original Madison Free Library, 1906.

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