“I have yet to choose a name.”: Creative Expression, Storytelling, and Writing Our Futures

In collaboration with Madison Public Library and UW-Madison’s Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives, the Go Big Read program is hosting a series of workshops for community members to create performance pieces that speak to themes addressed in the 2025-2026 Go Big Re......More

In collaboration with Madison Public Library and UW-Madison’s Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives, the Go Big Read program is hosting a series of workshops for community members to create performance pieces that speak to themes addressed in the 2025-2026 Go Big Read book, James by Percival Everett. “I have yet to choose a name” is a generative workshop series centered around themes of history, memory, imagination and creative expression as a means to reclamation and self-identification. In these workshops we invite participants to create, collaborate, and engage in “retellings' of their own stories and lived experiences. Through this workshop series we hope to offer participants an opportunity to connect, create and imagine futures for themselves and our communities.  Selected workshop participants will be invited to share their work within the 2026 Line Breaks Festival at the Community Performance Showcase “My Name Became My Own”. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/i-have-yet-choose-name-creative-expression-storytelling-and-writing-our-futures-56131

Central Library - Meeting Room 302

Housing Navigation Services with Urban Triage

For those who are seeking stable housing, drop by Room 210, 2nd floor and meet with a Housing Navigation Specialist from Urban Triage. No appointment required.  View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/housing-navigation-services-urban-t......More

For those who are seeking stable housing, drop by Room 210, 2nd floor and meet with a Housing Navigation Specialist from Urban Triage. No appointment required.  View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/housing-navigation-services-urban-triage-48086

Central Library - Study Room 210

Personal Archiving Lab: Drop-In Tutorials

The Personal Archiving Lab at Central Library is a collection of equipment that can be used to digitize at-risk analog materials like home movies video tapes audio cassettes photographs and more. Stop by the Central Library on Mondays, 2-4pm for a tutorial on how to us......More

The Personal Archiving Lab at Central Library is a collection of equipment that can be used to digitize at-risk analog materials like home movies video tapes audio cassettes photographs and more. Stop by the Central Library on Mondays, 2-4pm for a tutorial on how to use the library's Personal Archiving Lab. Tutorial duration is approximately 20-30 minutes. The instructor may not be able to accommodate those who arrive after 3:40pm. Following the tutorial, you will be able to make an appointment during library hours to use the equipment - up to 3 hours per day - for your personal archiving project. The Personal Archiving Lab supports the following formats: VHS and VHS-C tapes DVDs (not BluRay); Hi8 tapes, audio cassettes; MiniDV; photographs (including negatives and slides) and other paper-based documents. It does not support 8 or 16mm reel-to-reel film or audio tape. Patrons who use the lab must bring some form of external storage — a portable hard drive, or a thumb drive — on which digital files can be stored. Call 608-266-6350 for more information. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/personal-archiving-lab-drop-tutorials-31608

Central Library - Media Lab

Bubbler Room Closed 9am-12:30pm

Innovative High personal branding series with TL Luke. < p> View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/bubbler-room-closed-9am-1230pm-49036

Central Library - Bubbler

Bubbler Room Closed 9am-12:30pm

Innovative High personal branding series with TL Luke. < p> View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/bubbler-room-closed-9am-1230pm-49041

Central Library - Bubbler

Baby & Toddler Storytime (ages birth to 3)

READ and PLAY with your favorite baby or toddler! Reading, singing, talking and playing with your baby from the beginning is important because the roots of language are developing in a baby’s brain even before they can talk!  Library programs are always free. Siblings......More

READ and PLAY with your favorite baby or toddler! Reading, singing, talking and playing with your baby from the beginning is important because the roots of language are developing in a baby’s brain even before they can talk!  Library programs are always free. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/baby-toddler-storytime-ages-birth-3-38456< /p>

Central Library - Youth Program Room

Multi Age Storytime (children & families 5 & under)

READ and PLAY together with children under age 5! Engaging with books, songs and playful experiences all help children develop communication skills, patience, empathy, and pre-reading skills​ and helps to build a lifelong love of reading. Library programs are always fr......More

READ and PLAY together with children under age 5! Engaging with books, songs and playful experiences all help children develop communication skills, patience, empathy, and pre-reading skills​ and helps to build a lifelong love of reading. Library programs are always free. Older and Younger siblings and childcare groups are welcome. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/multi-age-storytime-children-families-5-under-38461

Central Library - Youth Program Room

Podcasting kit tutorial

Curious about podcasting? Join us for a demo of the Library Podcasting Kit and learn about the basics of recording and sound editing. The kit consists of one audio interface box that takes the input from two microphones and feeds into a laptop. We will work on a small......More

Curious about podcasting? Join us for a demo of the Library Podcasting Kit and learn about the basics of recording and sound editing. The kit consists of one audio interface box that takes the input from two microphones and feeds into a laptop. We will work on a small recording project in teams. The kit is compatible with PC or Apple laptops - you can bring your own or use a library laptop. Registration required. Registration for this session opens on Wednesday 12/1/25. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/podcasting-kit-tutorial-56301

Central Library - Media Lab

Central Cinema Cinesthesia presents Blast of Silence (1961)

Central Cinema Cinesthesia presents Blast of Silence (1961). Swift, brutal, and blackhearted, Allen Baron’s New York City noir Blast of Silence is a sensational surprise. This low-budget, carefully crafted portrait of a hit man on assignment in Manhattan during Christ......More

Central Cinema Cinesthesia presents Blast of Silence (1961). Swift, brutal, and blackhearted, Allen Baron’s New York City noir Blast of Silence is a sensational surprise. This low-budget, carefully crafted portrait of a hit man on assignment in Manhattan during Christmastime follows its stripped-down narrative with mechanical precision, yet also with an eye and ear for the oddball details of urban ­living and the imposing beauty of the city' (Criterion). Hosted by Jason Fuhrman, Cinesthesia is an adventurous, eclectic series of classic and contemporary films that focuses on the complex relationship between literature and cinema. Cinesthesia strives to foster constructive dialogue, while breathing new life into controversial works, neglected masterpieces, and titles in the margins of film history. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/central-cinema-cinesthesia-presents-blast-silence-1961-31651

Central Library - Meeting Room 302

Free Mending

We’re here to mend anything you need for the colder months, including clothing, coats, and any other fabric-related repairs, except for zippers. Sewers from the Sewing Machine Project will be available to mend your things for free every Thursday of the month. View th......More

We’re here to mend anything you need for the colder months, including clothing, coats, and any other fabric-related repairs, except for zippers. Sewers from the Sewing Machine Project will be available to mend your things for free every Thursday of the month. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/free-mending-31697

Central Library - Study Room 211

The Teacher Studio

The Teacher Studio is a learning community made up of educators interested in hands-on, making, tinkering, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)-based learning experiences. Each month, participants will make something together and share ideas for......More

The Teacher Studio is a learning community made up of educators interested in hands-on, making, tinkering, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)-based learning experiences. Each month, participants will make something together and share ideas for supporting maker-based learning experiences with their learners. The Teacher Studio is made up of school-based and out-of-school-based educators from a variety of content areas, grade levels, and experience levels with making. For more information and to register to attend this event, please visit https://sites.google.com/wisc.edu/teacher-studio/  The Teacher Studio is a partnership between UW-Madison PLACE, Wayne RESA, Building For Kids Children's Museum, Madison Public Library and the Fermilab Office of Education and Public Engagement. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/teacher-studio-49161

Central Library - Youth Program Room

Red Cross Blood Drive

Central Library Madison and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today! Come give blood Dec. 19 and get an exclusive long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, ltd. qty!  Drive Details: Site: C......More

Central Library Madison and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today! Come give blood Dec. 19 and get an exclusive long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, ltd. qty!  Drive Details: Site: Central Library Address: 201 W. Mifflin St, Madison, WI, 53703 Room Name: Community Room 301 Date: Friday Dec 19, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program! View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/red-cross-blood-drive-31702

Central Library - Meeting Rooms 301 and 302 Combined

Podcasting kit tutorial

Curious about podcasting? Join us for a demo of the Library Podcasting Kit and learn about the basics of recording and sound editing. We will work on a small recording project in teams. The kit is compatible with PC or Apple laptops - you can bring your own or use a l......More

Curious about podcasting? Join us for a demo of the Library Podcasting Kit and learn about the basics of recording and sound editing. We will work on a small recording project in teams. The kit is compatible with PC or Apple laptops - you can bring your own or use a library laptop.  Registration required. Registration opens 12/1/25. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/podcasting-kit-tutorial-56306

Central Library - Media Lab

Housing Navigation Services with Urban Triage

For those who are seeking stable housing, drop by Room 210, 2nd floor and meet with a Housing Navigation Specialist from Urban Triage. No appointment required.  View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/housing-navigation-services-urban-t......More

For those who are seeking stable housing, drop by Room 210, 2nd floor and meet with a Housing Navigation Specialist from Urban Triage. No appointment required.  View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/housing-navigation-services-urban-triage-48091

Central Library - Study Room 210

Personal Archiving Lab: Drop-In Tutorials

The Personal Archiving Lab at Central Library is a collection of equipment that can be used to digitize at-risk analog materials like home movies video tapes audio cassettes photographs and more. Stop by the Central Library on Mondays, 2-4pm for a tutorial on how to us......More

The Personal Archiving Lab at Central Library is a collection of equipment that can be used to digitize at-risk analog materials like home movies video tapes audio cassettes photographs and more. Stop by the Central Library on Mondays, 2-4pm for a tutorial on how to use the library's Personal Archiving Lab. Tutorial duration is approximately 20-30 minutes. The instructor may not be able to accommodate those who arrive after 3:40pm. Following the tutorial, you will be able to make an appointment during library hours to use the equipment - up to 3 hours per day - for your personal archiving project. The Personal Archiving Lab supports the following formats: VHS and VHS-C tapes DVDs (not BluRay); Hi8 tapes, audio cassettes; MiniDV; photographs (including negatives and slides) and other paper-based documents. It does not support 8 or 16mm reel-to-reel film or audio tape. Patrons who use the lab must bring some form of external storage — a portable hard drive, or a thumb drive — on which digital files can be stored. Call 608-266-6350 for more information. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/personal-archiving-lab-drop-tutorials-31724

Central Library - Media Lab

Donut Family Storytime

READ and PLAY and EAT A DONUT during our donut storytime today! Families are invited to snuggle in for storytime--pajamas are optional--and we will also get to have a sweet snack together. All ages are welcome. *Donuts and hot cocoa will be featured at this storytime.......More

READ and PLAY and EAT A DONUT during our donut storytime today! Families are invited to snuggle in for storytime--pajamas are optional--and we will also get to have a sweet snack together. All ages are welcome. *Donuts and hot cocoa will be featured at this storytime. Please contact [email protected] one week before if you have specific dietary needs View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/donut-family-storytime-51896

Central Library - Youth Program Room