About the Friends
The first Friends of Madison Public Library organization was started in the 1960s, and the group originally served as a forerunner to the Madison Public Library Foundation - taking donations and helping provide financial support where needed for the library system.
Today, the Friends continue this amazing legacy by providing volunteer support and recognition, advocacy, and supplemental funds for special projects and collections to enhance the Library experience for all. Each library has its own Friends group run by dedicated volunteers.
One of the big initiatives the Friends of Madison Public Library lead is working with the library's Collection Manager to intake and process book donations. Donated books that don't meet the criteria for being added to the library's collection are often re-sold by the Friends to help raise funds for the library! Look below for more information about:
- Friends Book Store at Central Library
- Donating Books
- Upcoming Book Sales
Want to join the Friends? Look for membership forms at your local library, or visit websites for Central, Goodman South Madison, and Pinney Library Friends' groups.
Library Friends Groups
To contact your neighborhood library's Friends group, please contact your local library manager or connect via Facebook or email, below.
Book Sale Donations
Most Library Friends groups host used book sales, which consist of books and other items donated by the public or discarded by the library. We are happy to accept books in good condition, CDs, and DVDs. Due to space limitations and lack of demand, we are unable to accept:
- Encyclopedias and dictionaries
- VHS tapes and audio cassettes
- Reader’s Digest condensed books
- Spiral-bound cookbooks
- Textbooks, computer, business, and travel books published more than 5 years ago
- Books that are damaged or that have a musty or smoky odor.
Below is information for current donation acceptance ability for each library Friends' group:
Friends of Alicia Ashman Library
Drop small donations (one or two boxes) off at the library. Ask at the desk to arrange for larger donations.
Friends of the Madison Public Library (at Central Library) - Facebook | Website | Friends Book Store (201 W. Mifflin St., in the Central Library)
Drop small donations (one or two boxes) off at the Friends' shop during open hours. For larger donations, please call 608-266-4875 to discuss.
Friends of Goodman South Madison Library - Facebook
Friends of Hawthorne Library - Facebook | email: mplhawthorne@gmail.com
Friends of Lakeview Library - Facebook
**Not accepting donations at this time.**
Friends of Meadowridge Library - Facebook
**Not accepting donations at this time.**
Monroe Street Library League - Facebook
Friends of the Pinney Library - Facebook | Website | email: friendsofthepinneylibrary@gmail.com
Friends of Sequoya Library - Facebook | Store on Google Maps (6672 Odana Road) | email: friendsofseq@gmail.com
Drop small donations (one or two boxes) off at the library. If you have a large donation, please call us in advance at 608-288-9848. We may not be able to accept the entire donation at one time. Donations may also be brought to our shop at 6672 Odana Road on Monday and Thursday mornings from 10am-noon.