Events Calendar

Come enjoy a sale of gently used and donated books, CDs, audiobooks, and higher priced specialty books during the Wisconsin Book Festival from October 17-20! All proceeds go to support Madison Public Library.

Prices include: 

• $2 Hardcover
• $1 Paperback
• $1 Children's hardcover and Children's DVDs
• $2 Feature DVDs
• $1 CDS and Audiobooks on CD
• $.50 Children's paperbacks
• Higher priced treasures

The sale will take place on the first floor of Central Library outside of the Friends of the Madison Public Library Book Store! Friends can accept cash, check or credit cards. 

About the Friends Bookstore: 

The bookstore is volunteer-run and open at the same hours as Central Library. Thanks to the proceeds from the bookstore and Friends’ membership dues, the Friends of Madison Public Library (at Central Library) have funded the following: a $100,000 pledge to the Central Library, the Library's Beyond the Page Program, a portion of the Library's Summer Reading Program (WE READ), audiobook collection sponsorship, the New York Times and Wisconsin State Journal subscriptions, and a portion of the Naturalist-in-Residence program. Learn more about the Friends or become a member by visiting their website at friendsmpl.com.

Enjoy dance, creative movement, songs and stories that get children thinking creatively and problem solving while having fun. Creative Movement and Dance is brimming with energy, curiosity, creativity, and fun geared towards kids aged 2-4 and but with plenty of fun to be had for caregivers and siblings. All levels of participation are welcome and we suggest caregiver interaction especially for children under 3yrs.

Dancers will learn about physical and spatial concepts by exploring the ideas through self generated movement and play. The highest priorities are having fun, learning concepts that are useful for both dance and life at large, and expanding physical and linguistic vocabularies.

READ and PLAY with your favorite preschooler and Special Guest Pogie the Yogie ! Bring a towel or a yoga mat and make some great moves. Library programs are always free. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.

Library programs are always free.

Preschool Storytime is especially intended for children ages three to five; siblings and childcare groups are welcome.

This is the second session of a 5-week progressive series. Registration for the series is required and opens at 9am on 9/27.

You might know that Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise that has been called "meditation in motion" (Harvard School of Medicine), but did you also know that regular Tai Chi practice is an evidence-based way to reduce your risk of falling? Adults of all ages are invited to this 5-week session especially designed to be a gentle and inclusive introduction to Tai Chi. No prior experience is needed; this is an adaptive class offering seated, standing, or standing with side support options. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes (no high heels or sandals, tennis shoes are great.) Please try to attend all sessions (October 11, 18, 25 and November 8 and 15).

About the Presenter: In addition to being a Tai Chi and Qigong instructor, Ellen Hussey is a physical therapist, Stepping On facilitator, and a member of the Falls Free Dane coalition of Safe Communities of Madison and Dane County.

Visit the Dream Bus from 2:50-3:10pm to browse books and other library materials, place or pick up holds, and sign up for a library card.

Learn more at dreambus.org

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.

Visit the Dream Bus from 3:20-3:50pm to browse books and other library materials, place or pick up holds, and sign up for a library card.

Learn more at dreambus.org

Visit the Dream Bus to browse books and other library materials, place or pick up holds, and sign up for a library card.

Learn more at dreambus.org

65+ author events over four days in and around the Central Library. See a full schedule at https://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org

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.

Tweens and teens are invited to cook with Chef Lily at Lakeview Library!  Participants will prepare and enjoy a wide variety of recipes, while learning about meal planning, following recipes, and using kitchen gadgets and tools.  

Food generously provided by Willy St. Co-op North.

Join us Friday's at Goodman South Madison Library for teen time. Teens can choose what they'd like to do each time, but we'll have activities available to engage them from 4-6PM. Board games, art + maker projects, crafts, video games, and enrichment opportunities like vision boards and STEM experiments coordinated by Teen Librarian Will G. and featuring various community partners. Meet other teens from your neighborhood and enjoy community after school. 

Visit the Dream Bus from 4:40-5:00pm to browse books and other library materials, place or pick up holds, and sign up for a library card.

Learn more at dreambus.org

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 Hawthorne Anime Club was created to give people a place to gather, watch, and talk about Japanese animation.  The club is intended for adults and older teens. All screenings will be in Japanese with English subtitles.  Occasionally films or series with mature content will be screened.  Call ahead to reserve your spot!

(masks are required and no refreshments can be served due to Covid-19 restrictions)

Join us for a Friday Family film!  Sit back and enjoy a great family movie at the Goodman South Madison Library. Snacks provided​!!!

A boy named Miguel dreams of becoming a famous guitar player, despite the misgivings of his close-knit family. When his lofty ambitions cause him to run afoul of a curse, he must journey into the Land of the Dead to seek forgiveness from his ancestors.