Looking for a venue to hold your Book Club Group or create an event that is Free & Open to the Pubic? Central library is the perfect venue.
Our spaces can be set with any number of furniture arrangements, utilize our preset Boardroom or large Community Room. As long as your event is FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, and adheres to out Meeting & Study Room Policy there are no rental fees. This includes no preregistrations, no ticketing, no selling, and no fundraising.
Looking for a place to study? Contact the reference desk directly to reserve space
Event Space
W. Jerome Frautschi Madison Room
The Madison Room is a unique, airy, and elegant space perfect for ceremonies, receptions, and/or dances.
Diane Endres Ballweg Art Gallery
The Art Gallery extends from the Madison Room past the Community Room to the 3rd floor restrooms. The displays in the Gallery are rotating installations part of Madison Public Library's Bubbler.
Madison Community Foundation Community Room
The Community Room features dark gray carpeting and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The catering kitchen is located at one end of the Community Room. For smaller events, this space can be divided into two rooms—Room 301 and Room 302—with a drop down wall.
Questions
Contact us anytime at events@madisonpubliclibrary.org for information about hosting your event at Madison's Central Library.
All requests are based on a first come, first served basis.
For details about hosting events at one of Madison's neighborhood libraries, please see our Meeting and Study Room Policy and contact the location you'd like to reserve space at.
Detailed Information
Madison Public Library does not allow events in which funds are raised, admission is charged, donations are solicited, tickets or products are sold prior to or during the activity.
FAQ
- What is the guest capacity?
Maximum capacity of our spaces will depend on your desired room setup. For events with a seated meal, we can accommodate up to 150 guests.
- What does it cost to rent the space?
Fees are determined by the room rented and length of the event. Download the Fee Sheet for details.
- What is included in my rental?
All rentals include tables, chairs, easels, wireless internet, 2 coat racks, podium, set up, and take down. Audio visual equipment is available upon request.
- Can I bring in food and beverages?
All catering will go through our approved local caterers. Download the Approved Caterers List for details.
- Am I allowed to bring in decorations?
Yes! We encourage you to bring in decorations to create a distinctive look for your event.
We ask you do not use the following decorations in our space:
Open flames, items hung from the ceiling, confetti or flitter, helium balloons, glow sticks. When hanging or taping to the floor only painter's tape is permitted.
- Can I bring in rentals?
Please speak with the Event Coordinator about rental questions.
- How long am I allowed in the space?
When renting the Event Space Package, you have the 3rd floor from 9:00am- 11:00pm. Clean up time is 11:00pm-11:29pm. All guests must be out of the building by 11:29pm.
- Is parking available?
Central Library does not have parking. There is metered street parking throughout downtown Madison. In addition there is a parking ramp located at:
Overture Ramp
318 W Mifflin St
Madison, WI 53703
- Booking information
In order to secure a date for your event we require a signed contract with a $100 deposit.
- How do I set up a tour of the facilities?
Contact the Event Coordinator at events@madisonpubliclibrary.org.