Author Archive
Recent news coverage of developer T. Wall’s proposed new Central Library is generating lots of questions. The proposal outlines a nine story mixed-use building at the corner of Mifflin and Fairchild streets and includes a new library on several floors. On Thursday, May 1, the Library Board agreed to go forward with a Request For Proposal (RFP) to begin the process of accepting proposals for purchasing and building on the current site. There will be five Library Board members on the committee to review the proposals submitted.
In the meantime, we are also beginning the interior construction of the expanded Sequoya Library, and in the beginning stages of building a new South Madison Library in the Villager Mall. It’s a busy time for the library. To help you - and us - keep track of all the changes, we’ve created a new page with updates about current or proposed library building projects. It also includes some demographic and library data the Library Board is using to plan for future library use and buildings. Stay tuned! Or, subscribe to the Check It Out email newsletter to receive regular updates of library news and events.
May 5th, 2008
The official Request For Proposal for an architect for the build-out of the new South Madison Library closes shortly and we expect planning for the Library, as part of a new building also housing the Urban League and Planned Parenthood, to begin soon. During a recent public meeting about the second phase, involving redevelopment of the current Atrium space, questions arose as to why the Library will be located in a building on Park Street, separate from the main Villager tenants.
All along, we believed the Southside needed and, more importantly, warranted a new state-of-the-art South Madison Branch Library. It was time that the Southside had its turn at a new facility – it deserved better than a rehabbed space in the new Villager. For a whole range of programmatic, operational and aesthetic reasons, including the fact that we will pursue LEED certification for a new green building, locating the Library on the first floor of a new mixed-use space on Park Street proved to be the best option available – for both the library and the community.
This prominent Park Street library location makes a statement about the City’s commitment to the community – at the same time, it provides convenient access for people in the neighborhood and a welcoming presence off the Beltline as part and parcel of a new Park Street corridor, and invites users from the surrounding region to visit this community-supported destination.
The actual Library entrance will not access directly off Park Street; instead, it will most likely be oriented toward the prominent Atrium entrance, providing easy and safe back-and-forth access for people using both buildings. Other concerns about user safety and traffic noise, expressed at the recent public meeting, will be addressed during the design phase. Also, as planning and development proceed, the Library and its architects will be seeking regular input from people in the neighborhoods, in the form of both community meetings and individual suggestions, for this much-needed new South Madison Branch Library.
April 7th, 2008
On April 2nd the City of Madison/Madison Public Library closed on the purchase of the condo space for a new Sequoya Branch Library, part of the new Sequoya Commons development on Midvale and Tokay Boulevards.
The new long-awaited Sequoya Branch will occupy 20,000 square feet at street level in Sequoya Commons, a mixed use residential, retail and public library development. The Library is the first in Madison to seek LEED certification for a green building, and the building itself will serve as a demonstration project — educating library users about sustainable buildings. The Library will feature a special children’s area with sections devoted to early literacy and family reading, an area especially for teens, and a hearth room for quiet reading. There will be a large community room for neighborhood meetings and programs, and smaller conference rooms for study groups, small meetings and tutoring. The new Sequoya will offer 30 Internet access computer stations with centralized printing, as well as full WI-FI availability for lap-top users, and the option of self-service checkout. Plus, of course, nearly 120,000 assorted books and media and, access to valuable proprietary informational and educational databases through the LINK system.
Miron Construction was awarded the contract for the build-out of the Library’s condominium space, and will begin working soon from the plans and specifications developed by EngbergAnderson Design Professionals, the architects who, working with staff, will make this new, empty space a great library destination in the heart of Madison’s west side. We hope to open the new branch in October; the Sequoya Branch will remain operational at its current site on Midvale Boulevard until the new space is ready for occupancy.
An active and very successful Sequoya Branch Fundraising Committee has been working with the Madison Public Library Foundation and has raised over a million dollars for this project, budgeted at $5.6 million. Thanks to the generosity of major donors, Friends, neighbors, local authors, and the Foundation for helping to make this new branch happen.
Watch the progress of the building with periodic updates of the construction process on the Sequoya Flickr photosharing page, or read updates on our Sequoya web page.
April 7th, 2008
The holidays are a traditional time for remembering and celebrating family and community. Madison libraries promote community each and every day, and nothing says this better than this article in the December 21-27 issue of The Madison Times, “The Right Library: Lakeview Library Serves Community.” In the article, you’ll meet 4 year old Tahji Jackson and his grandmother, Renee Taylor, and find how the library is an integral part of their community. Article author Lisa Nunez is a part time employee at the Lakeview Library.
December 28th, 2007
Forbes ranked the Madison area #2 in a recent list of best places to educate your child. Public library popularity was one of five factors included in the ranking (Madison received an A+).
The Capital Times and WISC-TV both reported on the Forbes study, which was released online on December 12. Read the article online: Where to Educate Your Children. David Savageau. Forbes Online, December 12, 2007.
December 19th, 2007
“Public library use is a measure of the health of any city. Strong and well-utilized public libraries like ours reflect a community that is curious, and curious people test ideas, they try new things and, in the end, they transform and improve their communities.”
- Mayor Dave Cieslewicz
So begins our 2006 Annual Report, now available as a .pdf document from our web site. Find out what your library has been up to!
The 2006 Madison Public Library Annual Report was designed and printed by Think Ink & Design, with generous underwriting from the Madison Public Library Foundation.
December 11th, 2007
The Mayor and City Council worked long hours to agree on a 2008 City Budget that supports important new and ongoing initiatives for the City of Madison, including Madison Public Library.
The City’s 2008 Capital Budget includes funds for a new 10,000 square foot South Madison Branch Library as part of the soon-to-be redeveloped Villager Mall on South Park Street. The new branch will be triple the size of the current branch and provide dedicated space for more computer/Internet use, children and teen use, community programs and special collections. Planning for the redevelopment project, and the new library, has already begun; at this point, the target date for opening the new South Madison Branch is late spring/early summer of 2009.
The 2008 Operating Budget supports expanded hours for both the Hawthorne and South Madison Branch Libraries. Both branches will be open 10-8 M-F and 9-5 on Saturdays to provide more access for people at these two well-used locations. Because these new hours require hiring additional staff, our goal is to introduce our expanded hours by March. Watch our web site or our e-newsletter for updated information.
December 5th, 2007
The Madison Public Library Foundation recently received a $200,000 grant award from the Madison Community Foundation for the Children’s Area at the new Sequoya Branch Library.
The Children’s Area, to be named in honor of the Madison Community Foundation for this significant contribution, will incorporate collections, technology, and casual reading areas. In addition to the many innovative physical features, this area will feature an emergent literacy activity alcove that will become a destination for children and families. This project will improve and expand the continuum of literacy services and activities already available at Madison’s public libraries. Through involvement in purposive, pre-reading activities, children and families will learn behaviors, skills and thinking processes critical to the growth and development of readers. Hands-on emergent literacy activities, available during all open hours, will augment the continuum of literacy resources available to library users.
Additionally, Sequoya Branch Library will continue to offer a full menu of literacy services and activities to families, from baby story times to a teen service-learning program. During all open hours, children and families will enjoy engaging in learning activities that link experience, imagination, paper, pencils and print in comfortable family friendly spaces.
The Madison Public Library Foundation was established in the spirit of public/private partnership with the City of Madison to provide resources and financial support to extend and improve library services and collections. Additionally, the Foundation strives to assist in filling the financial gap between appropriated City funds and the ever-rising costs of Library resources and services that meet the diverse needs of our community.
Madison Community Foundation encourages, facilitates and manages long-term philanthropy. The Foundation has facilitated over $4 million in giving to Dane County libraries since 2000, helping build or renovate 12 libraries and holds over $1 million in library endowment funds. “Libraries fit our mission perfectly” says President Kathleen Woit. “They are not only centers of learning, they are gathering places for the community – today libraries serve as youth centers, senior centers, and more.” Individuals and organizations interested in establishing an endowment with the Madison Community Foundation or donating money to its general fund may get more details online at www.madisoncommunityfoundation.org.
November 12th, 2007
Kathleen Elizabeth Baird received the inaugural Elizabeth Moon Proctor Scholarship on October 6, 2007, at the Lakeview Branch of Madison Public Library.
Kathleen is currently employed as a Page II at the Monroe Street Branch. Kathleen is honored to be the recipient of the Elizabeth Moon Proctor Scholarship for 2007. According to Kathleen, “Pursuing a career in public librarianship is a way for me to bring together my deep interests in social services and my love of learning.” Kathleen will be pursuing her studies in the School of Library & Information Studies at the UW Madison.
The library world, and especially Madison Public Library, was well served when Elizabeth “Betsy” Proctor chose to pursue librarianship as a second career. Betsy enriched and enlivened Madison Public Library from 1967 until her retirement in 1996.
Betsy inspired many library careers through her intelligent and tireless dedication to public library service; her commitment to outreach and services to minority and institutionalized populations; her irrepressible, infectious laughter and her enduring friendships.
To encourage and assist Madison Public Library employees who plan careers in library and information studies, family and friends established the Elizabeth Moon Proctor Scholarship fund in Betsy’s memory.
To donate to the Elizabeth Moon Proctor Scholarship Fund, contact the MPL Foundation office at (608) 266-6318 or at mplfoundation@cityofmadison.com.
November 9th, 2007
Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out our survey about our new online calendar. We’ve closed the survey and want to share our positive results with you!
We found that:
- 100% of you would use it again
- 95% of you thought it was “very easy” to register (the other 5% thought it was “easy”)
Survey comments included:
- “very useful and user friendly”
- “very cool - hope other organizations copy you!”
- “great! very convenient!”
- “thanks for offering this”
Several people wished it were easier to sign up multiple family members for the same program. We are working to find a way to make that process easier.
Overall, we feel it’s a success. Last month, 42% of all program registration was online. Try it yourself - sign up for one of our many programs this October and let us know what you think.
October 12th, 2007
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