National Library Week

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Share Your Story - Sunday, April 6

We're inviting library users to visit our locations during National Library Week and fill out a Share Your Story postcard detailing how library services, resources, collections, and spaces have impacted you or your family. Library funding nationwide is currently facing challenges at the federal level as the Institute of Museums and Library Services is being dismantled by an executive order issued on March 14, 2025. 

Your stories can make a difference! Check the box at the bottom of the postcard and we'll send your postcard to legislators so they know how important libraries are to local communities.

If you'd like to make your story even more impactful, try out the Library Value Calculator and include just how much your library saves you each month! 

Right to Read Day - Monday, April 7

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The State of America's Libraries Report 2025 is an annual summary of library trends that outlines statistics and issues affecting all types of libraries during the previous calendar year. This report also includes a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books for 2024. At Madison Public Library, we support everyone's right to read and choose their own books.  We encourage you to learn more and support Right To Read Day or read the full State of America’s Libraries Report 2025.

National Library Workers Day - Tuesday, April 8

National Library Workers Day is a day for library staff, library patrons, and library supporters to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Recently, we asked library staff to show us around their library and highlight some of their favorite parts of their jobs. Visit us on Instagram at @MadisonPublicLibrary and browse our Instagram Story Highlights where you can learn more about different types of library jobs, what each location has to offer, and meet some of our staff. 

Please note: this series was recorded in 2022, so dates and times for programs mentioned and Dream Bus stops have changed. Check our calendar for the most up-to-date information.

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National Library Outreach Day – Wednesday, April 9

Madison and Dane County's mobile library, the Dream Bus, visits a dozen locations around Madison on a weekly basis. First launched five years ago, the Dream Bus visits neighborhoods and locations around Madison and Sun Prairie that may face transportation barriers in getting to a library location. The Dream Bus literally meets residents where they are at, and helps hundreds of patrons each year get library cards and check out library materials. The Dream Bus is just one way that Madison's libraries connect to the community, however. Expect to see Madison Public Library in parks across the city this summer as part of Parks Alive, 150th Anniversary Outreach events, and many other neighborhood events and activities.

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Take Action for Libraries Day – Thursday, April 10

On this day, library users are encouraged to contact their representatives to express their support for Madison’s libraries! In light of recent threats to funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Madison Public Library is asking local library users to share their library stories so that we can help protect library funding. Use the Share Your Story postcards available at every library location to talk about the impact libraries have had on your life through services, resources, collections, spaces, or community connection.

Learn more about the issues facing IMLS on our advocacy page and consider checking the box on your postcard that allows us to share your story with local legislators. 

You can also get involved on the local level! Madison's Common Council encourages all City of Madison residents to get involved in the decision-making processes of their local government. By participating in Common Council meetings, you can have a say in policies, services, and developments that directly affect your lives - and libraries. All Council meetings are open to the public to attend in-person and streamed live on Madison City Channel. To learn more:

• Upcoming Meetings & Agendas

• Watch Online or Attend in Person

• Register for Public Comment

• Find Your Alder

• Contact Council

Get Drawn to the Library – Friday, April 11

Libraries connect us to books and resources, to stories and experiences, and to each other. With nearly 2.5 million in-person and online checkouts, 1.37 million visits, 140,958 in-library computer uses, and 4,477 programs offered in 2024, libraries are busy places for connection. Before you can get drawn to the library, your first step is to get a library card! You can sign up online and have one mailed to you or you can stop into one of our nine library locations spread across Madison.

If you're interested in getting artsy, inspired by the honorary co-chairs of this year's National Library Week award-winning author and illustrator, Raina Telgemeier, and cartoonist and comic theorist, Scott McCloud, you could check out art and making events happening in libraries this week: 

• Tuesday, April 8: After School Art with Amy at Pinney Library, 4-5pm
• Wednesday, April 9: We Make: Bead Creations at Hawthorne Library, 4:30-5:30pm
• Thursday, April 10: Wisconsin Book Festival Presents - Drawing on the Past: Jewish Graphic Narratives with Sol Brager
• Friday, April 11: It Takes A Village After School Enrichment at Goodman South Madison Library, 4:30-6pm
• Saturday, April 12: Art Club for Families - Stained Glass Suncatchers at Monroe Street Library, 10-11:30am
• Saturday, April 12: Arts After Overture at Central Library, 10:30am - 12:30pm
• Now-April 22: Wake Up! art installation at Central Library by Artist-in-Residence TetraPAKMAN
• The Bubbler Room at Central Library and the Pinney Studio are open during most library hours for drop-in art making activities

Find all upcoming library events at our public event calendar or find upcoming author readings at the Wisconsin Book Festival on the Wisconsin Book Festival website.

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Last Day of National Library Week - Saturday, April 12

We would be remiss if we didn't take this opportunity to DRAW your attention to the 150th Anniversary of Madison Public Library! From a national celebration of libraries across the country, to our very own celebration closer to home, we know that our communities value and love what libraries add to their lives. We want to thank you for your support and invite you to celebrate with us at nine parties in our libraries this May! 

We're taking over three Saturdays in May to host birthday bashes in our libraries and you're invited! Join us for 2-hour parties at each neighborhood library on May 10 or May 31, and be sure to stop by the big celebration at Central Library on May 17, as well. 

Each party will offer something unique and will reflect that library location's individual history and traditions, but you'll be able to pick up fun giveaways, enjoy cake &coffee, and engage in interactive activities for all ages at each of them! Learn more at madpl.org/150yearparties