Madison Public Library 150th Anniversary Celebration

May 17, 2025 9:45 AM to 1:00 PM

Central Library 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703

February 3, 2025

12:46 PM

Bob Koch

Madison Public Library's central branch.

Madison’s first public library opened in 1875. A century and a half later, there are nine branch libraries (with a tenth in the works), and each will host a party to mark the sesquicentennial. The biggest event is May 17 at Central Library (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), with speeches by library and public officials, art activities and new art exhibits, tours offered in multiple languages, and a kids' storytime; the day kicks off with a parade led by Forward! Marching Band, starting at the top of State Street at 9:45 a.m. Also still to come on May 31 are branch library celebrations featuring art activities, music and more, at Monroe Street (9-11 a.m.), Pinney (11 a.m-1 p.m.), Lakeview (1-3 p.m.), and Hawthorne (3-5 p.m.) Find an updated schedule at madpl.org/150yearparties.

media release: The community is invited to attend 150th Anniversary parties at all nine Madison Public Library locations during three Saturdays in May: May 10, May 17, and May 31.

May 10: Alicia Ashman Library, 9-11am, Meadowridge Library 11am - 1pm, Sequoya Library 1-3pm, Goodman South Madison Library 3-5pm

Saturday, May 17

9:45 am, The Forum (top of State Street):

A mini-parade featuring Forward! Marching Band and led by Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Library Director Tana Elias from the Capitol Square to Central Library (201 W. Mifflin St). Please meet at The Forum at 9:45am. The library is re-creating this parade that was done to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Madison Public Library in 1975 - the original intent was to subvert the stereotype that you have to be silent in the library! We think the message is still relevant today, and we wanted to pay homage to this cool bit of library history.

10am – 1pm | Central Library (201 W. Mifflin St):

All Ages Activities:

10-10:15am: Welcome and Speeches (Mayor Rhodes-Conway, Library Director Elias, Foundation Executive Director Moran, and more). Third floor.

11am and 12pm: Tours of the library (available in multiple languages). First floor.

Take a commemorative photo with the Book Arch (and historic Wildflower sculpture). Lower level.
music by DJ Rob Dz

Get paired with the perfect book by browsing read-alikes, chatting with librarians, and checking out a fun book café. Third floor.

Enjoy a new art exhibition highlighting work made by library patrons and past Pinney artist-in-residence Phil Hassett showcasing Words For Now: Letterpress Prints from our Community. Third Floor.
Using Madison Public Library's new letterpress kit, print your own commemorative special edition 150th Celebration Print to take home. Third Floor.
Step into our imaginative cake land in the Bubbler Room to create with unexpected materials and explore CAKES as vessels for rich storytelling. Ground Floor.

Youth & Family Activities:

Located on the lower level

10:30: Special adventure-themed storytime

11:30am - 1pm: Be a library architect with building materials from Legos to Superspace Tiles
Pick up a WE READ map and WE READ bag

May 31

Monroe Street Library, 9-11am
Pinney Library, 11am -1pm
Lakeview Library, 1-3pm
Hawthorne Library, 3-5pm

“The first Madison Public Library opened with just two rooms and 5,000 books on May 31, 1875, so it’s only fitting that during the month of May - 150 years later - we would commemorate Madison’s early commitment to literacy and lifelong learning, thank our many community supporters over the years, and celebrate this momentous anniversary while looking forward to the future of library service in the City of Madison,” said Library Director Tana Elias.

Each celebration will include a slideshow of historic photos, the opportunity to compete in a fun trivia game to win gift bundles, and an invitation to sign up for a Madison Public Library card. Attendees can enjoy birthday cake and coffee at each library location and have the opportunity to reflect on what Madison’s libraries have meant to them with a colorful art cake created by new Central Library Artist-in-Residence National Velvet. The art cakes are interactive ways to collect stories and include candle-shaped prompts asking people to share their first library memory, their favorite thing about the library now, and their hopes for the library of the future.

Kids and families will also be able to pick up their WE READ materials, including a refreshed WE READ bag design and this year’s summer reading initiative, the WE READ Map, which lets families set creative reading goals and collect stories from their reading journey all summer long.

Each 150th party will offer something unique, with special activities reflecting that library’s character and neighborhood. Alicia Ashman and Pinney Libraries are both celebrating special hallmarks this year in addition to the 150th Anniversary, as well.

Alicia Ashman Library is the most recent completely new library to be added to the Madison Public Library system, opening in its current location on the far west side and becoming the ninth library in 2000. Longtime Madison alder, civic activist, namesake, and former Library Board president Alicia Ashman cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Alicia Ashman Library on October 11th, 25 years ago.

Pinney Library, too, is celebrating its fifth year in a new building, as the current location on Cottage Grove Road was opened just days before the Covid-19 pandemic forced closures of the entire Madison Public Library system.

The biggest celebration, though, will be at Central Library, where Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Library Director Tana Elias, Madison Public Library Foundation Executive Director Conor Moran, and several others will speak to the theme of the year-long observance: Celebrating the Past; Inspiring the Future.

“I encourage everyone to attend the 150th anniversary party at Central Library, in addition to the celebrations at your neighborhood library,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “These events are an opportunity to get a library card, learn about the history of libraries in Madison, and be part of shaping and inspiring the future of library service over the next 150 years.”

Those plans include Madison Public Library’s new library – the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park – which will be breaking ground for construction this spring and is anticipated to be completed by fall of 2026.

“The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will help set the scene for how libraries operate in Madison as we head into the future,” said Madison Public Library Foundation Executive Director Conor Moran. “As the tenth Madison Public Library, it will connect residents on the northeast side of the city to resources, technology, services, and community gathering spaces and equip residents with the tools needed to thrive.”

Here are a few more ways to engage in the 150th Anniversary celebrations anytime:

150 Items Challenge: Check out 150 items in 2025 and receive a commemorative gift in the form of a branded drawstring bag - perfect for carrying home library books, movies, or materials from the Library of Things. Pick up a tracking sheet at any library location or download one from our website(link is external). Explore the collection and share what you check out on social media by tagging @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.

Book Arch Selfies: Stop in at Central Library to take photos with the book arch. This special library resource will be available throughout the year for visitors to browse themed local history displays, take selfies, and show off what they’re checking out. Look for it on the 1st floor behind the display tables from January - April, 2025. The first display features photos and stories on Madison Public Library’s 80-year tradition of celebrating Black History Month.

Historic Timeline: Find pop-up timeline displays in all nine libraries that link to a more robust interactive timeline online where visitors can learn fun facts about the opening of their favorite library location, see how the Bubbler got its start, and unearth other impactful moments from Madison Public Library’s history.

Outreach Events: Look for library ambassadors at events across Madison. Visit the Madison Public Library table to sign up for a library card or email newsletter, share a testimonial, and learn more about what's happening for the 150th Anniversary. Plus, visitors can receive a commemorative gift when they sign up for a library card at these special events.

Past, Present, Future: Share your first library memory or your vision for the libraries of the future. Fill out the form online or find us at outreach events throughout the year, where upcoming Bubbler Artist-in-Residence, National Velvet, has created a unique way to collect these testimonials.

Additional events and activities to celebrate the 150th Anniversary will be announced later in the year. Follow along with the journey at madpl.org/150years

We'll share more information as the dates get closer, and additional 150th Anniversary events will be announced later in the year, as well.

The theme for the auspicious year is Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future, and Library Director Tana Elias says it was chosen intentionally.

“Madison Free Library – as we were known in 1875 – has a rich history of community support. We’ve been present through key moments and transitions in our community and nation’s history, including two world wars, the Civil Rights Movement, and the invention of the internet,” said Elias. “We’ve enjoyed the support of the Madison community, and this celebration is a community thank you and an open invitation. We’re excited to invite people to discover the library for the first time, welcome back those who haven’t visited in a while, and revel in this special moment with library lovers across the city all year long.”

Madison Public Library is also adding a tenth library as it prepares to go out to bid for construction on the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park in mid-February of this year. The project is set to break ground later this spring and open in the fall of 2026. Madison Public Library Foundation Director, Conor Moran, says the Imagination Center helps set the scene for the future of library services in Madison.

“Madison is a growing city, and the northeast side is one of the fastest growing areas of the city,” said Moran. “Madison Public Library has always been responsive to the needs of the community, and when I think about the future of library services, I think about the ability to connect people to both the critical and life-enriching resources that make Madison a wonderful place to live.”

Whether looking to the future, connecting in the present, or remembering the past, the legacy of free service and the strength of the staff are hallmarks of Madison Public Library, according to Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway.

“At the opening ceremony of the very first Madison Public Library, Mayor Silas Pinney said its purpose was to ‘confer its blessings on all alike.’ Those blessings of knowledge, joy, and community have expanded greatly in 150 years. What’s never wavered is the founding principle that the Library is free, accessible, and open to all,” said Rhodes-Conway. “Let’s mark this sesquicentennial by thanking and congratulating the dedicated staff that make our libraries truly special places for tens of thousands of Madisonians each and every day. And by building upon the Library’s successes so even more residents are able to utilize its blessings in the next 150 years.“

Here are a few ways to engage in the 150th Anniversary celebrations now:

150 Items Challenge(link is external): Check out 150 items in 2025 and receive a commemorative gift in the form of a branded drawstring bag - perfect for carrying home library books, movies, or materials from the Library of Things. Pick up a tracking sheet at any library location or download one from our website(link is external). Explore the collection and share what you check out on social media by tagging @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.

Book Arch Selfies: Stop in at Central Library(link is external) to take photos with the book arch. This special library resource will be available throughout the year for visitors to browse themed local history displays, take selfies, and show off what they’re checking out. Look for it on the 1st floor behind the display tables from January - April, 2025. The first display features photos and stories on Madison Public Library’s 80-year tradition of celebrating Black History Month.

Historic Timeline: Find pop-up timeline displays in all nine libraries that link to a more robust interactive timeline online(link is external) where visitors can learn fun facts about the opening of their favorite library location, see how the Bubbler got its start, and unearth other impactful moments from Madison Public Library’s history.

Meet Us Here

Wisconsin's Garden & Green Living Expo(link is external) | February 7-9 at Alliant Energy Center
13th Annual Frozen Assets Festival(link is external) | February 8, 10am - 3pm at The Edgewater
Skate Cinema | February 8, 4-5:30pm (event is 4-7pm) at Tenney Park
Black Heritage Celebration(link is external) | February 13, 5-8pm at Madison Children's Museum

Past, Present, Future: Share your first library memory or your vision for the libraries of the future. Fill out the form online(link is external) or find us at outreach events throughout the year, where upcoming Bubbler Artist-in-Residence, National Velvet, has created a unique way to collect these testimonials.

Additional events and activities to celebrate the 150th Anniversary will be announced later in the year. Follow along with the journey at madpl.org/150years