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WE READ at Madison Public Library

We Read Website Header 2022

WE READ is an ongoing initiative at Madison Public Library focused on the joy of reading! Through engaging programs and activities that happen both in libraries and out in the community, you and your family can participate year-round in the way that works best for you. 

 

Three WE READ maps created by Madison Public Library laid out on a white background

Start Your Reading Adventure May 1

This summer, we invite you to visit any of our nine locations for the chance to read, play, create, and write in community. May your summer journey be off to a great start!

The WE READ program is funded by Madison Public Library Foundation, Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Friends of the Madison Public Library, Roots & Wings Foundation, and Jane Doughty & David Wood.

Read

Built off the practices of the Public Library Association's Every Child Ready to Read program, Madison Public Library’s early literacy philosophy incorporates five key elements: reading, talking, playing, singing, and writing. This summer’s WE READ program has lots of opportunities for babies, toddlers, and older kids to build their literacy skills at the library through:

WE READ Map

The WE READ Map is a way for you to keep track of what you're reading and set fun, creative reading goals for yourself or your family this summer. Your creative reading goal could be as straightforward as reading 10 books before the end of August or as creative as making a scrapbook inspired by what you read this summer. 

Here's how you can use the map: 

  • Visit any Madison Public Library or the Dream Bus beginning May 1 to pick up a WE READ Map
  • Pick a creative reading goal
  • Break up your goal into smaller pieces and write each piece on the steps along the map
  • Add stickers to show how the steps along the way felt as you experienced them
  • Include memories and stories from your summer
  • Starting August 1, pick up your celebratory souvenir at any Madison Public Library.

Tell us about your summer reading adventures!

WE READ tote bag Dream Bus Parks Alive Summer 2024

Engaging in Literacy-Rich Activities

Look to the digital screens when you visit a Madison Public Library. In addition to upcoming program information, they’ll also have advice on how to engage babies and toddlers in early literacy activities to help build skills and excitement about reading - whether in the library or at home.

Checking Out Books By the Bag

This summer we have new WE READ tote bags! Grab one while supplies last, and fill it up with your favorite library books. Not sure what to read? Ask a librarian for help finding read-alikes or go online to find book lists for every age, interest, genre, and reading level. 

Sharing Your Voice

Share Your Voice Prizes WE READ

Madison Public Library wants to hear from you! What do you wish you could do with friends at the library? If you could make any rule for the library, what would it be? May-August, stop into one of our library locations or hop on the Dream Bus to fill out a Share Your Voice card. Answer the featured questions and return them at the desk to earn prizes! 

Prizes vary by location, but could include rainbow pencils and mini notebooks, mini maker kits, or customizable snap bracelets. On the Dream Bus ONLY, pick up sunglasses to stay cool and protect your eyes while you read outdoors this summer!

A grid pattern highlights 12 book covers from the 2025 American Library Association Youth Media Awards

Book Lists

Not sure what to read? Browse our book lists for librarian-approved reading recommendations!

Start Browsing
A librarian sits on the floor with a hand puppet on surrounded by three babies

Storytimes

Find multi-age storytimes for babies and toddlers that help form a life-long love of reading at Madison Public Library.

See Upcoming Programs
Young women smiles while listening to an audiobook on her phone

Ebooks + Audiobooks

Start reading eBooks and listening to Audiobooks using the Libby App and your Madison Public Library Card.

Go Digital

Play

Beat the heat this summer by stopping into any of the nine Madison Public Library locations to cool off and play. We know that open-ended, child-led play builds brains and muscles…and is just plain fun! 

All of our libraries have toys that give kids opportunities to be creative, problem-solve, and collaborate with other kids. Check out our online play guide to find the right play for your family at one of nine libraries.

Wooden rain sticks with colorful painted raindrops on them for kids

New Toys Foster New Skills

Keep an eye out this summer for these skill-building toys for babies and toddlers: 

  • Sensory Tubes
  • Baby Rain Sticks
  • Stacking Spoolz

The new toys we've added to our play spaces are focused on sensory development, as well as stacking and fine motor skills.

Reading Buddies WE READ

Read Out Loud to a Reading Buddy 

Reading out loud helps kids learn literacy and fluency, but kids can feel pressure when reading in a class environment or reading to adults. 

Reading Buddies allow kids to practice reading in a low-stress way and encourage play. Now available in the play spaces at all locations (except Alicia Ashman Library).

Meadowridge Library Play Space features Treehouse vibe with reading buddies, grass, and fake campfire

Play Guide

Madison Public Library has unique play spaces at each of our nine locations. Find the right play for you!

Play Starts Here
baby chewing on a copy of the We Read to Babies and Toddlers Baby Song Book

Baby Song Books

Pick up this helpful resource at the library or listen online! Play and sing along with your baby or toddler.

Sing & Dance Together
Chef Lily helps a group of girls with a cooking project

Upcoming Programs

Sign Up for the Library Kids newsletter to stay connected to play programs, library events, and new books!

Sign Up Now

Create

WE READ Bubbler Artists-in-Residence

Back by popular demand! Local teaching artists lead fun, hands-on art programs in our libraries throughout the summer. Art builds connections to literacy, creative self-expression, and hands-on learning for children and families. This program runs June through August. 

Summer Program Schedule: 

We Read Bubbler Artists in Residence
Alicia Ashman Library

Deck Salm returns as a WE READ Bubbler Artist-in-Residence for the second year in a row - this time at Alicia Ashman Library! Deck will host open art studios where participants can try a new creative project each week - be prepared to get messy! All ages and abilities are welcome.  

Tuesdays, 2-3:30pm | June 24 - July 29, 2025

Dream Bus at Mobile Madison June 2022
Dream Bus

Kailea Saplan (they/them) is a mixed and non-binary artist-scholar originally from Hawai'i. They have been a teaching artist with Madison Public Library since 2016 and are excited to bring their artistic talents to the Dream Bus for select dates in July and August! 

See all dates and times on the Dream Bus webpage. 

This project is funded in part by a grant from the Madison Arts Commission, with additional funds from the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Several young Black girls with braids gather around a table at a library to work on art projects
Goodman South Madison Library

Children learn by creating and doing! Express yourself at Goodman South Madison Library led by bilingual teacher and artist Rosi Bermúdez McHugh with a variety of affirming, mixed-media projects for all ages. 

Every other Wednesday, 2:30-4pm | June 11-August 6 & August 13, 2025 

A black child with dreadlocks crouches while working on a diorama made of cardboard
Hawthorne Library

Savannah Starlin will host four workshops for kids and teens focused on art projects that involve paint! For youth under 8, it's recommended that an adult or responsible older sibling accompanies them. 

Mondays, 4:30-6pm | July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18 

A teaching artist leans over a table to help a little girl with a pink hat with her art project
Lakeview Library

Elias Mittelstadt returns for his third summer at Lakeview Library! Elias is a designer and artist who is often inspired by technology - his offerings this summer will feature a different hands-on project for kids each week. 

Wednesdays, 4-5:30pm | June 25 - August 13, 2025 (no program on 07/16 or 08/06)

WE READ art activity at Meadowridge Library Madison Public Library
Meadowridge Library

Lashay the Artist! returns to Meadowridge Library for a second summer! Well versed in everything from poetry to painting to hairstyling, Lashay the Artist! will offer six sessions focused on affirming, mixed-media projects for all ages. 

Tuesdays, 6-7:30pm | July 8 - August 12, 2025

Four kids stand behind a white table full of art supplies working on craft projects in a library
Monroe Street Library

Artist Rosi Bermúdez McHugh will host a monthly art-making workshop at Monroe Street Library for kids and families on the second Saturday of each month from June-August. 

Saturdays, 10:30am - 12pm | June 14, July 12, August 9

Two older asian kids and a white toddler showcase their art projects outside on a patio at Pinney Library
Pinney Library

Artist and elementary school teacher Renee Gavigan returns to Pinney Library for a second summer! Enjoy messy, exploratory art projects that could feature some elements of Renee's own practice like watercolor or quilting, and will include fun make and takes for littles. 

Tuesdays, 10-11:30am | June 17 - July 22, 2025 

Two young white girls work on paper collages on cardboard while smiling and sitting at a table
Sequoya Library

Local Montessori teacher and artist Meghan Rosing is back at Sequoya Library for a second summer! Get ready to create art using reclaimed materials with fairytales, poetry, children's books, and folk tales for inspiration. Expect collage, ink, brushes, dip pens and more.

Wednesdays, 10-11am | June 25 - July 23, 2025

National Velvet non-edible cake art creations
Central Library

Kids and families will have lots of opportunities to create thanks to Central Library's Artist-in-Residence, National Velvet! Throughout the summer and beyond, our resident cake-maker will be bringing the merriment with open studio hours, workshops, and outreach activities. 

Check back soon for specific dates and times. 

Write

Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration 2024 WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest Author Reception Youth Voices Anthology
An asian teen reads into a microphone from the WE READ Youth Voices Anthology while seated in a purple chair next to another teen
A family stands in front of a poster board and easel while another person snaps a picture of them inside a library
We Read Youth Voices Forward Madison Game

WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest Returns May 1

Youth Voices Writing Contest 2025

The WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest will open for submissions on May 1, 2025 with the opportunity for youth 18 and under to get published and to win up to $500 in cash prizes thanks to support from the Madison Public Library Foundation. 

This annual contest, hosted by Madison Public Library in collaboration with Forward Madison FC and the Wisconsin Book Festival, is for kids in the Madison area. The library accepts submissions in English, Spanish, Hmong and other languages, and writing can be in the form of short stories, songs, poems, comics, graphic novels, and more.

  • Contest Dates: May 1 - June 30, 2025

  • Ages: 18 and under

  • 2025 Theme: Roots

  • 2025 Youth Ambassador: Justin Festge Russell (Madison's Youth Poet Laureate)

The WE READ program is funded by Madison Public Library Foundation, Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Friends of the Madison Public Library, Roots & Wings Foundation, and Jane Doughty & David Wood.

Learn More About the Writing Contest

More Ways to Engage

Upcoming Events

We Read

Monroe Street Library

Central Library

Meadowridge Library

Alicia Ashman Library

Sequoya Library

Pinney Library

Hawthorne Library

Goodman South Madison Library

Lakeview Library

Find more events

Get A Library Card

Digital Resources Audiobooks eBooks for Kids

You can apply for a card or manage your Library account in-person at any of our physical locations, including the Dream Bus. Library cards give you access to the Wisconsin Digital Library, ebooks, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, streaming video, books and more!

Apply online!

Let's Get Social

A black woman stands with an arrangement of flowers wearing a visor and patchwork jean shorts smiling in a library

Join in the fun by sharing what you're reading and how you're reading using the hashtag #WeReadMadison and tagging @MadisonPublicLibrary on Instagram and Facebook. 

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