Events Calendar

Free assistance from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers to help you fill out and file your Federal and Wisconsin personal income taxes. Call 608-266-6350 no earlier than January 25, 2023 to make an appointment (required).

The VITA program is an IRS and Wisconsin DOR initiative designed to support free tax preparation service for the underserved. The VITA program offers free tax help to people who generally make $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.

Some situations are outside the scope of the service -- ask if in doubt. You must have lived in Wisconsin for ALL of 2022 to use this service.

All Central Library appointments will be on SATURDAYS: 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8

**We will begin taking appointments on Wednesday, January 25th for the February (2/11, 2/18, 2/25) tax help dates. We will take appointments for March and April dates (3/4, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8) on February 22nd. **

Click here for a list of all 2023 Tax Assistance dates at Central, Lakeview, and Sequoya Libraries, or take a look at our calendar. Appointments are required at all locations.

Practice speaking, reading and writing English with Literacy Network. Beginning to advanced students welcome!

For more information, fill out the New Student Interest Form or call our office at 608-244-3911 to make an appointment. During the registration appointment you will talk with a staff member over the phone about your goals and they will help you choose the best program for you. All programs are free. At registration, you pay for program materials, $10, $20 or $40 depending on program. Cash, check or credit cards. Scholarships are available.

Spring 2023 classes run January 28th-May 6th. February 18th, March 25th, & May 6th sessions are in-person; all other classes will be held via zoom and students must sign up through Literacy Network to receive the link.

Bring puzzles you've already done and trade them for puzzles that are new-to-you!

Puzzles for all ages and of all sizes accepted, as long as they are in good condition with all the pieces.

READ and PLAY together with children 5 & under in English & Spanish! Engaging with books, songs and playful experiences all help children develop communication skills, patience, empathy, and pre-reading skills​ - and helps to build a lifelong love of reading. Library programs are always free. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.

¡LEE y JUEGA junto con otros niños menores de 6 años, en inglés y español! Participar con libros, canciones y experiencias divertidas ayuda a los niños a desarrollar la comunicación, paciencia, empatía y habilidades de la alfabetización temprana y ayuda a desarrollar un amor eternal por la lectura! Los programas de la biblioteca son siempre gratuitos. Los hermanos y los grupos de cuidado infantil son bienvenidos. Sábados, el 25 de junio, 23 de julio y el 27 de agosto, a las 10am.

The Munch Mobile Lunch Van will make a stop at Lakeview Library on Saturdays during the school year.  All people in and around the library can get a free lunch between 1:00pm and 1:15pm.

Join The Kids Chef, Lily Kilfoy, for a series of cooking classes for school-age kids, tweens, and their families. Participants will learn about different foods, where they come from, how to follow recipes, and how to use a variety of tools.  Registration is not required, but participation will be limited to the first 25 attendees. Food generously provided by Willy St. Co-op North.

The Madison Writing Assistance (MWA) program offers free, one-to-one writing support for community members at library branches throughout the city. Our friendly, experienced writing coaches are happy to help with writing projects across a wide range of genres, including resumes, cover letters, application essays, grant proposals, fiction writing, memoirs, and more.

Schedule an appointment online with the link below, by phone, or in person.

MWA services are made possible through generous donations from the Evjue Foundation and UW Anonymous Fund, along with administrative and program support from the UW-Madison English Department, the UW-Madison Writing Center, and our Library and neighborhood center partners. 

Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew? Now is your time! Local artist and illustrator Rita Richardson has been sewing since they were a kiddo, and took a more professional style sewing class in college. During this class, they fell in love with sewing again, and have been using it in their practice since. Join Rita in covering some sewing basics while creating something fairly simple and great to have - a classic tote bag. This program will deal with sewing machines, patterns, and putting all of the pieces together to create something you can take home. All materials and supplies will be supplied by the library.

Registration is required. Registration opens two weeks before the event, on March 11.

Madison Public Library invites you and your families to the Goodman South Madison Library to get a FREE family portrait taken. Families and individuals can capture or commemorate this moment in time with their loved ones - bring along anyone you see as family (chosen family, special someones, aunties, etc.). We want to provide access to high-quality photography for all members of the community. 

Each family will receive:

• A 10-minute photo session with a professional photographer
• A digital copy of their family portrait

Keep in Mind:

• Limited to one registration per group.
• No library card is required.
• Space is limited and will go fast - reserve your session ASAP!
• The turnaround time on receiving your digital images is about 2 weeks.
• Photos are for personal use only. Please refrain from bringing props, logos, or other items for promotional purposes.
• Please note that it is against Madison Public Library's Behavior Policy to bring any animal into the library except service animals.

BIPOC families are especially encouraged to register, but all families are welcome. 

About the photographer

Hedi is currently the Director of Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, a project of Rooted whose mission is collaborations rooted in food, land, and learning. An avid photographer and writer her work has been featured in UMOJA Magazine, Capital City Hues, Madison365, Love Madison and other local publications. Hedi is the 2019 recipient of the Forward Community Investments Nan Cheney March for Justice Awards, the Madison Black Chamber and Madison Hip-Hop Awards Photographer of the year. Hedi is also a proud alumnus of the UW Madison Odyssey Project and WARF’s Upstart Program and is an active member of the Community Shares of Wisconsin Board.  

The Madison Writing Assistance (MWA) program offers free, one-to-one writing support for community members at library branches throughout the city. Our friendly, experienced writing coaches are happy to help with writing projects across a wide range of genres, including resumes, cover letters, application essays, grant proposals, fiction writing, memoirs, and more.

Schedule an appointment online with the link below, by phone, or in person.

MWA services are made possible through generous donations from the Evjue Foundation and UW Anonymous Fund, along with administrative and program support from the UW-Madison English Department, the UW-Madison Writing Center, and our Library and neighborhood center partners. 

The Madison Writing Assistance (MWA) program offers free, one-to-one writing support for community members at library branches throughout the city. Our friendly, experienced writing coaches are happy to help with writing projects across a wide range of genres, including resumes, cover letters, application essays, grant proposals, fiction writing, memoirs, and more.

Schedule an appointment online with the link below, by phone, or in person.

MWA services are made possible through generous donations from the Evjue Foundation and UW Anonymous Fund, along with administrative and program support from the UW-Madison English Department, the UW-Madison Writing Center, and our Library and neighborhood center partners.