Madison Public Library invites you and your family to celebrate library joy. We have many free and fun activities planned throughout the year, and we look forward to seeing you often-- both in libraries and in our community! When it's cold outside, what better gift to give children than to bring them to the library?
Learn more about opportunities to read, create, write and play with WE READ below.
WE READ is made possible thanks to support from Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Madison Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Madison Public Library, Roots & Wings Foundation, and David Wood & Jane Doughty.
Reading
Reading Buddies
Reading out loud helps kids learn literacy and fluency, but kids can feel pressure when reading in a "class" environment or reading to adults. That's why we're introducing a variety of adorable Reading Buddies for kids to use when practicing their reading or even just when playing. Find hand-made reading buddies at Sequoya Library, snuggle up with a weighted sloth at Central Library, or explore a slew of other reading buddies for your little one to practice their reading in a low-stress way this winter break and beyond. Now available at all locations (except Alicia Ashman Library)
Literacy Tips for Babies & Toddlers
At each library, we will be sharing a Literacy Tip during storytimes and on TV screens in library spaces. Look to these spaces for advice on how to engage your little ones in pre-reading activities to help them build skills and excitement about reading. We hope these early literacy tips serve as a helpful resource. You can receive literacy tips in your inbox, as well, with our bi-weekly Library Kids email newsletter. Sign up today! 
Books By the Bag
Bring in your WE READ tote bag and fill it up with your favorite library books! Not sure what to read? Ask your librarian! We're happy to help you find read-alikes for your favorite book, books by topic or genre, or books that fit your reading level. Look below to browse our book lists online and place holds on popular titles.
Book Lists
Storytimes
Ebooks + Audiobooks
TetraPAKMAN is the Bubbler's Artist-in-Residence at Central Library! Youth and families are invited to join open studio hours to create artwork with a deeper message.
Artist-in-Residence TetraPAKMAN
TetraPAKMAN was one of Madison Public Library's first Artists-in-Residence back in 2013, and he's returned--a little over a decade later--to help us think about and imagine the future!
TetraPAKMAN’s art practice focuses on giving climate a voice in the community. He sees the people as a medium and shares his techniques with them to create community-generated sculptures using reclaimed materials. With plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, plastic lids, and more, youth and families can be part of transforming the Bubbler Room at Central Library while exploring big ideas.
TetraPAKMAN utilizes art making as a way of doing something about the state of our environment and the world we’re creating, which inspired the name of his residency - Doing Something! You're invited to create alongside this influential local artist during open studio hours and workshops planned through early April.
Open Studio Hours:
Visitors of all ages are invited to come by the Bubbler Room and work with TetraPAKMAN on engaging, tactile art-making out of recycled materials.
- Tuesday, February 25
- Friday, March 7
Faces for the Future: Mask Making
Unleash your kid’s creative power! Join us for a fun-filled, creative adventure where imagination meets sustainability! In this program designed and led by artist-in-residence TetraPAKMAN, children will transform everyday cereal boxes into vibrant, one-of-a-kind masks by using a variety of art supplies and materials - familiar and unknown! Participants will learn to cut, shape, fold and decorate household cardboard boxes pulled from the recycling bin into imaginative masks inspired by animals, characters, or anything they dream up.
2-4:30pm | Central Library (Youth Services Area - Lower Level)
- Saturday, March 22
- Saturday, April 5
No registration is required.
Residencies at Central Library are supported by the Evjue Foundation, Madison Arts Commission, and Scooter Software. TetraPAKMAN’s residency is supported by the Friends of Madison Public Library.
Explore a wide range of art and making activities available from December 16 - January 11 at various Madison Public Library locations
Art Programs in Spring
Thanks to the Bubbler at Madison Public Library, our connection to art, making, and local artists runs deep! Check out a wide array of art, craft, and making programs for youth and families at Madison Public Library this spring.
Art Clubs for Kids
- Hot Glue Sculptures: March 1, 10-11:30am | Monroe Street Library
- Hot Glue Sculptures: March 5, 4-5:30pm | Goodman South Madison Library
- Design a Treasure Box: March 15, 10-11:30am | Monroe Street Library
- Design a Treasure Box: March 19, 4-5:30pm | Goodman South Madison Library
- Glow in the Dark Drawings: March 29, 10-11:30am | Monroe Street Library
- Glow in the Dark Drawings: April 2, 4-5:30pm | Goodman South Madison Library
- Stained Glass Suncatchers: April 12, 10-11:30am | Monroe Street Library
- Stained Glass Suncatchers: April 16, 4-5:30pm | Goodman South Madison Library
Art for Little Ones:
February 20, 10:30-11:30am | Lakeview Library
Warm Creativity on Cold Afternoons with Bernie & Zuzu
February 20, 3:30-5:30pm | Pinney Library
February 27, 3:30-5:30pm | Pinney Library
March 4, 3:30-5:30pm | Pinney Library
March 11, 3:30-5:30pm | Pinney Library
March 18, 3:30-5:30pm | Pinney Library
March 25, 3:30-5:30pm | Pinney Library
After-School Art with Amy
February 26, 4:30-5:30pm | Lakeview Library
We Make
Open Studio - Odds & Ends: February 26, 4:30-5:30pm | Hawthorne Library
Shrinky Dinks: March 5, 4:30-5:30pm | Hawthorne Library
LEGO Relief Print Making: March 12, 4:30-5:30pm | Hawthorne Library
Painted Puzzles: March 19, 4:30-5:30pm | Hawthorne Library
All ages are welcome and materials will be provided. Children 5 and under will need assistance from a caregiver. No registration required.
WE READ Youth Voices Anthology Available Now!
Since 2021, Madison Public Library, Forward Madison, and the Wisconsin Book Festival have partnered to support literacy and encourage youth to use their voices through the WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest. The competition is for aspiring writers in the Madison area aged 18 and under to submit a short story, poem, song, etc. on a pre-selected topic.
In 2024, writers were encouraged to submit stories on the theme of Celebrating Small Heroes! Every act of heroism, bravery, or kindness - no matter how small - matters, and more than 125 young writers shared stories of everyday acts of heroism and the impacts they can have.
A print version of the anthology is now available at all Madison Public Libraries and at all school libraries in the Madison Metropolitan School District. The anthology includes stories from the contests' Grand Prize, Runner Up, and Age Group winners, as well as 50 additional submissions selected by our panel of judges.
This winter, we're inviting you in to our libraries to explore the play spaces at each Madison Public Library location!
Nine Play Spaces, Many Ways to Play
We believe in the value of child-led play, to build curiosity, skills, and the confidence needed to navigate the world. We know children benefit from playing alone, with other children, and with the adults in their lives. And most importantly, we know that playing is joyful. The video above takes you through some of the features available at Central Library's play space, but each of our nine play spaces offer a unique experience. We encourage you to check out our play guide to find the right play for your family.
Lotería Kits 101
Lotería is a traditional Mexican game, similar to Bingo. The Lotería Kit includes four tablas (game cards), some colorful beans to mark your board, and a fun crown for the winners to wear. You can use your WE READ card deck from summer or, if you don't have one, you can grab a new deck to use.
Do players need to be able to speak Spanish to play?
Lotería is fully bi-lingual in English and Spanish, just like the WE READ card deck.
What ages can play?
We recommend this for ages 3+. Players need to be able to hold cards and match images. Plus, be old enough to safely handle the dried bean BINGO markers.
How many players can play at once? Can I use this for a large family gathering or in my classroom?
The kit contains four tablas or Bingo cards. There are 24 additional cards available for download and printing at the top of this page.
How do we play?
Instructions for the game are on the back of the Lotería Kit envelope.
Play Guide
Baby Song Books
Play All Year
Upcoming Programs
See the list of events and programs you can participate in over the next 30 days below:
Additional programs are available on madpl.org/calendar
Alicia Ashman Library
Central Library
Goodman South Madison Library
Hawthorne Library
Lakeview Library
Apply for a Library Card
You can apply for a card or manage your Library account in-person at any of our physical locations, including the Dream Bus. Library cards give you access to the Wisconsin Digital Library, ebooks, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, streaming video, books and more!
If you don't already have a valid library card, you can apply for one online. There are two card options: Individual and Organizational.
Get an Organizational Card
Get a Library Card
Social Media
Be sure to join in the fun with what you're reading and how you're reading using the hashtag #WeReadMadison and tagging @MadisonPublicLibrary on Instagram and Facebook. Plus, we've got a great selection of book lists that cover lots of genres and topics. Check them out now!
Like/Follow/Tag @madisonpubliclibrary
Access our Media Kit for graphics, press release and an email template for easy sharing.
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