Madison Public Library is hosting a number of holiday and/or winter-themed events for kids and families.
Programs for Kids + Adults
Holiday Journaling Workshop
December 13, 6-7PM | >>VIRTUAL<<
Join us for this writing, processing, and planning adventure. Give shape and definition to your holiday season before it arrives. This event is not holiday specific. All are welcome! Using 2-3 different journaling techniques, you will determine what holiday traditions stay, and which ones will wrap up. Swap out the mindsets, attitudes, and traditions of the past that need an upgrade, and make space for the new and intentional! Journalist Beth Turner leads this virtual journaling workshop. Registration Required: REGISTER
Decorate Your Own Mug
December 15, 5:30-6:30PM | Meadowridge Library
Get ready to enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate! Teens and tweens will be designing their own vinyl stickers to decorate mugs that they can take home. Hot chocolate and materials provided.
Multi-Age Storytime (ages 5 and under): Winter Celebration
December 19, 10:30AM | Meadowridge Library
READ and PLAY together with children under age 5! 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. Join us for this festive celebration of Winter at Meadowridge's last storytime of 2022!
Tinkering Tuesday: Snow Globes
December 20, 4:30-5:30PM | Meadowridge Library
Drop in to the children's area at Meadowridge Library for art, making, tinkering, and fun! This week, we will celebrate the winter season by making our own snow globes out of glitter, glycerine, and small plastic toys or other objects. Bring a favorite small toy that you no longer play with but want to commemorate in a snow globe, or use one provided. Objects must be waterproof and able to fit through a 2.75" ring. All ages welcome. Children under 5 will need extra help from a parent or caregiver. No registration required.
Midwinter Matinee: Chicken Little
December 21, 2-4PM | Sequoya Library
Join us for a fun family film chosen with grades K-5 in mind. We'll even supply the snacks!
Good Night (Not Really): Let's Count Forward AND Backward Family Pajama Party
December 22, 10-10:45AM | Sequoya Library
School's out for winter break, so put on your coziest pajamas and join local author Nan Evenson (Bogue) for a fun and interactive event inspired by her new picture book, Good Night (Not Really): Let's Count Forward AND Backward. We'll read this "humorous and spirited counting tale for young readers" (Kirkus Review) together before enjoying some activity stations based on the book. Toddlers and preschoolers won't want to miss this special storytime with a twist, and siblings of all ages are welcome. Pajamas are optional, and copies of the book will be available for sale after the event. We'll also have a grand-prize drawing for a make-your-own green cupcake kit!
Cookie Decorating
December 22, 5:30-6:30PM | Meadowridge Library - Canceled due to weather
Stop by the library to decorate sugar cookies! Teens and tweens can use their imaginations to make their own creations.
Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5): Celebrate Winter!
December 23, 10AM | Sequoya Library
READ and PLAY with your favorite preschooler as we celebrate winter with a special storytime!
Midwinter Matinee: Cool Runnings
December 28, 2-4PM | Sequoya Library
Join us for a fun family film chosen with grades K-5 in mind. We'll even supply the snacks!
First Chapter Adventure
December 29, 2-3PM | Sequoya Library
Not sure what to read next? Librarian Ruth will read some great first chapters aloud to give you some ideas.
Holiday Movies
Friday Family Films - Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas
December 16, 5:30-7:45PM | Goodman South Madison Library
Madea agrees to spend Christmas in a small rural town in order to visit a friend's daughter in this heartwarming comedy-drama. In time, the no-nonsense matriarch has a huge impact on the community as they prepare for an annual holiday carnival.
Friday Family Films - The Santa Clause
December 23, 5:30-7:45PM | Goodman South Madison Library
A divorced adman inadvertently becomes the real Santa when he puts on the suit of the guy who fell off of his roof.
Pinney Friday Flicks - The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
December 23, 6-8PM | Pinney Library
The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets -- Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle -- weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases -- past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness.
Winter Assistance Resources
Free Mending
2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 12-2PM | Hawthorne Library
Thursdays, 10AM-12PM | Central Library
We’re here to mend anything you need for the colder months, including clothing, coats, and any other fabric-related repairs, except for zippers. Sewers from the Sewing Machine Project will be available to mend your things for free.
Dane CORE 2.0 Rental Assistance
Mondays, 10AM-6PM | Hawthorne Library (Not available Monday, Dec. 26 due to holiday hours)
Tuesdays, 11AM-5PM | Lakeview Library
Thursdays, 11AM-3PM | Pinney Library
Are you behind on your rent because of the pandemic, either directly or indirectly? You are not alone. Many people are experiencing financial hardship right now.The African Center for Community Development will be in our libraries to help individuals and families who owe back rent apply for Dane Core assistance. Eligible households in need of rental and utility assistance should stop by.
Open Healthcare Enrollment with Covering Wisconsin
December 10, 10AM-2PM | Pinney Library
Have questions about healthcare coverage? Schedule an appointment with a trained health insurance navigator from Covering Wisconsin. Schedule an appointment by calling 608-261-1455, 2-1-1, or scheduling through the Covering Wisconsin Website website here: Enroll — Covering Wisconsin
Second Harvest FoodShare
Second Friday of each month, 12-4PM | Central Library
Provides FoodShare (food assistance on a QUEST Card) benefit information: help applying and submitting documents, assistance with renewals and reporting changes, as well as ongoing benefit support.
Job Resource Assistance
1st & 3rd Thursday, 4-7PM (by 1-hour appt) | Central Library
Job assistance includes...
- Job searches
- Job applications
- Resume and cover letter writing
- Tips and tricks on how to get your recruitment materials noticed
- Mock interviews
- Matching searchers with skill development programs
Sign up for a free one hour session of one-on-one assistance by calling 266-6350.
Munch Mobile Lunch Van
Saturdays, 1-1:15PM | Lakeview Library
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 and 1:15PM.
COVID Vaccine Clinic
Tuesdays, 3-6PM | Lakeview Library
Free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters at the Lakeview Library, administered by Public Health Madison & Dane County! 1st, 2nd, or booster doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson available while supplies last. Everyone 5 and older is welcome. 5-17 year olds need a parent or guardian present. Walk-ins encouraged. Appointments are available but not required. Please visit https://publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/vaccination-appointments to book an appointment.