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Host Your Next Event at Central Library

Groups of people seated at round tables for a formal reception
Community Groups
Conferences & Meetings
Weddings & Receptions

The Central Library is home to a full floor of event space, open to both community use and private rental. This 3rd floor venue is not at all like your typical hotel conference room, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Madison. This versatile space with eye-catching architecture and a rotating Art Gallery is the perfect setting for your next gathering. Accommodating groups of 11 to 250 people, Central Library is conveniently located on several main bus routes and is steps away from both the Capitol Square and State Street. We invite you to explore the possibilities of hosting your next gathering at our library! 

Please contact our Events Staff at events@madisonpubliclibrary.org to schedule a tour.

Please note that groups of 10 or fewer can find information on booking a Study Room on our Study Room page.

Event Space

Key Features:

  • ADA Accessible
  • LEED Certified
  • Up to 3 break out spaces
  • Green Roof & Art Gallery
  • 3rd Floor Bathroom Access
  • Centrally Located
Floor to ceiling window room with black chairs in rows forming a center aisle

Madison Room

The W. Jerome Frautschi Madison Room (the Madison Room) is a versatile space, waiting to adapt to your vision! Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, art installations, and an intricately designed, sculptural ceiling. Ample natural lighting and downtown views leave a lasting impression on guests, with or without decoration. The art installation made of repurposed book ends “Stacked” (2013) by Niki Johnson and a view of our green roof highlight Madison Public Library’s commitment to sustainability. Host your cocktail hour, luncheon, banquet, performance or lecture here!

Students sitting at tables set in a U Shape facing a speaker

Community Room

The Madison Community Foundation Community Room (the Community Room) is a large, multipurpose meeting room ideal for meetups, lectures, banquets, board meetings and trainings. Floor-to-ceiling windows span the room, washing it in natural light. A retractable, sound-dampening central wall can divide this space into two separate breakout rooms.

conference room with long table and 15+ chairs around it

Conference Room

The Webcrafters-Frautschi Foundation Conference Room (the 104 Conference Room) is a preset boardroom available for public and private use, conveniently located on Central Library’s first floor. The room is equipped with a TV and whiteboard. The table is set for 14, with additional seating available along the sides of the room. Ideal for smaller meetup groups, committee meetings, board meetings, trainings and work groups.

Questions? Ask a Specialist

Events Department:
events@madisonpubliclibrary.org
(608)243-0478

For Study Room (groups of 10 or fewer):
General Library Number (608) 266-6300

Have an Idea for a Library Program?
Fill out the Pitch a Program Form

If you are an author wishing to host a book talk, please contact the Wisconsin Book Festival.

Ready to Book?

To start the booking process, please fill out our Meeting Room Application Form and a member of the Events Team will get back to you as soon as we are able

More Information:

*all 2025 caterers are approved for use in 2026
**We are now accepting tour requests for 2026 weddings

Frequently Asked Questions

Our smallest meeting room can seat up to 14 people at a preset conference table. Depending on your room setup, the largest meeting space, the Community Room, can hold up to 250 people. Each room has its own minimum attendee requirement to book.

The 104 Conference Room has a TV. Both 301 & 302 have TV's and Projectors. Room 302 also has hybrid meeting capabilities. Use of AV can be arranged ahead of time with the Events Team and is included in your room booking. Groups are responsible for providing their own HDMI cord to connect.

All furniture setup & AV is included in your booking. For private events, the Events Team will also help coordinate with your vendors during the month of your event as needed.

Yes! Groups of 20 attendees and under are welcome to bring in their own food as long as it is prepared in a commercial kitchen. Home-cooked food and potlucks are not allowed, but attendees may bring their own food. We also have an extensive catering list of preapproved caterers who are familiar with our facilities.

All alcohol must be booked with and served by our liquor license holder, Gib's Bar. Any alcohol not served by Gib's will be confiscated, and the group will be asked to leave. Groups serving alcohol must rent the entire 3rd floor.

While we make our best effort to ensure reasonable volume levels, the library is a public space used for a number of activities. The quietest meeting spaces are on the 3rd floor.

Most of the rooms at the library have some glass windows to allow for natural light. The rooms with the most privacy from the general public are on the 3rd Floor.

Great! We can't wait to work with you! You can start by filling out a Meeting Room Application. Events Staff will follow up with you for more information as soon as we are able.

When planning your event, please keep in mind that spaces typically book out several months in advance. We require organizers to book at least 30 days in advance to allow us to determine staffing & process payments. Booking is possible within 30 days of the event only if we are able to accommodate. Community Groups may book for the current calendar year up to 6 advanced reservations in a 6 months period, with a limit of up to two reservations a month. We begin booking Weddings in April for the following year. Private rentals, please contact Events Team.

We only list Library Programs & partnerships on our public calendars. The room may be booked by other community groups, rentals, internal meetings, maintenance or we may not have staff capacity to accommodate your group at this time.

In order for a Community Group to book a space at the Central Library your event must be advertised in some way as to invite community involvement. This could be a meetup group or social club. If you are from outside the South Central Library System, you will only be able to book as a rental. ALL groups, both Community Groups & Rentals, must not charge a fee to attend the event and cannot solicit for donations or sell services. ALL groups must adhere to our behavior policies. Groups must meet minimum attendee requirements.

We are happy to announce that beginning in 2026 we will now be offering nonprofit rates. Please inquire with the Events Team to learn more.

Special arrangements can be made with Events Staff for events taking place outside of regular library hours. Inquire directly with Events Staff for rates.

Community Groups are welcome to book directly with a Madison branch library of their choice. Private rentals can only be hosted at Central Library.

The Central Library does not have its own parking. Metered Street Parking is available, as well as several City Parking Ramps. The closest parking ramp to the Central Library is the Overture Parking Ramp.

Great! We can't wait to work with you! You can start by filling out a Meeting Room Application. Events Staff will follow up with you for more information as soon as we are able.