Check It Out

Animation Creation

Thanks to a generous grant from the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Foundation, Goodman South Madison Library is launching a new series of after-school animation workshops for neighborhood teenagers. The weekly introductory workshops (led by a professional animator) will offer teens the chance to get their hands on a variety of animation tools and computer software while learning how to script, capture and edit animated narrative sequences. The animation program offers a glimpse of the ...read more

Posted by Jesse on December 23, 2012

What Is The Bubbler?

In anticipation of our new Central Library, we're excited to announce a new maker-focused programming model for all ages: The Bubbler. Whether learning the basics of animation, screen printing, music, clothing design, dance, or painting (to name a few), The Bubbler’s hands-on pop-up workshops will introduce participants to a variety of local experts who will share their talents and physical resources. Our deep list of partners will keep the Bubbler experience current and dynamic, offering ...read more

Posted by Tana on December 8, 2012

Vera Court Wins Little Free Library

Families who frequent the Vera Court Neighborhood Center on Madison’s North East side can now find and share reading materials from their new Little Free Library – provided by Friends groups of Madison Public Library branches as part of the 2012 Summer Reading Club extra reading incentive. For every 5 books or 5 hours of reading children completed beyond the first 16 books/hours, children received a heart sticker to add to the “Share the Love of Reading” posters. After earning a total of 1,000 ...read more

Posted by Tana on November 27, 2012

LINKcat gets an upgrade

LINKcat went through a major update last night. Searching the catalog will now utilize Solr, a fast and flexible indexing platform. Highlights of the switch include: It's easier for library staff to add records, meaning material will get added to the collection quicker. Facets on the results page are more accurate. You can search for exact phrases by enclosing them in quotation marks. Read more about the changes, including search tips, on the LINKcat help page. On an unrelated note, cover ...read more

Posted by Jon - Central Library on October 29, 2012

Preview Your New Central Library!

The Madison Public Library Foundation recently launched My New Library. My New Library is a web site devoted to the new Central Library, which is scheduled to open next fall. On the site you can learn about the project: reasons for the new library; floor plans, construction updates, and photos; goals, progress, and supporters; and news and events. You can also watch the video included with this post by clicking on the thumbnail to find out what the site—and the new library—is all about. We can' ...read more

Posted by Jon - Central Library on October 2, 2012

Share Your Library with Madison

Is the library your home away from home? Your favorite place to stop by to pick up weekend movies or last minute homework resources? Your free wireless place of choice? Show all of Madison your favorite library during two online "events" - Isthmus's MyMadisonDay and the City of Madison's Share Your Favorite Place. MyMadisonDay is happening Friday, September 21, 6 am to Saturday, September 22, 6 am. It's a 24-hour snapshot of Madison life in videos, photos, tweets, Facebook ...read more

Posted by Tana on September 21, 2012

We Get Around

You probably know that our librarians offer great service and fun classes in our nine libraries, but did you know that we also visit neighborhood festivals and area events? This June, our librarians visited the Madison Children's Museum on Twilight Wednesday, the Henry Vilas Zoo for Wisconsin Public Radio's first Kids' Day at the Zoo, and Nuestra Fiesta. We registered residents for library cards, signed kids up for summer reading club, checked out books, offered kid-friendly activities, and ...read more

Posted by Tana on June 28, 2012

A Story Before Bed

Can't get enough storytime? Go to our A Story Before Bed page, select a book, and choose "Hear the Story" to see a virtual picture book and hear it being read by Alicia Ashman Library's Carissa Christner. You can also choose "Place a Hold" if you’d like to check out a physical copy of the book to read yourself. If you'd like to make your own recordings on A Story Before Bed, contact the Alicia Ashman Library for instructions. A Story Before Bed also has a free app that allows you to enjoy ...read more

Posted by Jon - Central Library on June 19, 2012

LINKcat Goes Mobile

A LINKcat Mobile app is now available in the App Store (for Apple devices) and Google Play (for Android devices). Users of other platforms can use the LINKcat Mobile web site at m.linkcat.info. Features include: My AccountSee your checked out items, renew items, and cancel or suspend holds. SearchSearch for books & other library materials, check availability, and place titles on hold. LINKcat LibrariesFind address, phone number, hours and map for all LINKcat libraries. ...read more

Posted by Tana on June 1, 2012

LINKcat Customer Satisfaction Survey Results Announced

We’d like to thank the more than 3400 library customers who took the time to answer a LINKcat survey in November of 2011. Following are some of the highlights: 92.5% of respondents indicated that they were very satisfied or satisfied with their experiences checking out materials in a library. Customers were very satisfied or satisfied with renewing items (84.1%), checking their record online (83.6%), and placing holds (80.5%) Email was the most favored form of notice ...read more

Posted by Tana on April 5, 2012