Central Cinema Cinesthesia presents Cooley High (1975)

Central Cinema Cinesthesia presents Cooley High (1975). < p> 'Director Michael Schultz and screenwriter Eric Monte—who drew on his own experiences growing up in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing project—arrived at something truly unique in 1970s cinema with Cooley High: ......More

Central Cinema Cinesthesia presents Cooley High (1975). < p> 'Director Michael Schultz and screenwriter Eric Monte—who drew on his own experiences growing up in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing project—arrived at something truly unique in 1970s cinema with Cooley High: an endearingly funny, tender, and authentic portrait of Black teens striving toward a brighter future, brought to life by a dynamic ensemble cast and set to a heavenly hit parade of Motown classics' (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-cooley-high-1975-21351

Central Library - Meeting Room 302

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 6/4/25. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/podcasting-kit-tutorial-28800

Central Library - Media Lab

Book Discussion of The Lost Apothecary

Two stories, 200 years apart, centered on an apothecary shop in London and the vials sold to women looking to be rid of the men in their lives. Join us for discussion and sometimes dessert. Newcomers warmly welcomed. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrar......More

Two stories, 200 years apart, centered on an apothecary shop in London and the vials sold to women looking to be rid of the men in their lives. Join us for discussion and sometimes dessert. Newcomers warmly welcomed. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/book-discussion-lost-apothecary-21352

Central Library - Conference Room 104

Library closed for Juneteenth

Library closed for Juneteenth

1000 Words: Stories from the VA's My Life, My Story Project

Join us for a conversation on the healing effect of telling one's story and how stories can help humanize medical care.  Since 2013, writers from the VA's My Life, My Story Project have asked more that 9,000 Veterans at VA hospitals around the United States to tell thei......More

Join us for a conversation on the healing effect of telling one's story and how stories can help humanize medical care.  Since 2013, writers from the VA's My Life, My Story Project have asked more that 9,000 Veterans at VA hospitals around the United States to tell their life stories. With the Veteran's permission, those stories go into the Veteran's medical record so that VA health care providers can read them and get to know their patients better.  Our panel will feature:   Thor Ringler: Writer-Editor with My Life, My StoryJennifer 'Jenn' Sluga: Army Kosovo Veteran and MST SurvivorWilliam 'Bill' Schrum: Marine Corps Vietnam VeteranDr. Liana Eskola: Madison VA Palliative Care ProviderLeah Mushall: UW Medical Student A Q& A moderated by Dr. Colin Gillis will follow the panel discussion.  1,000 Words: Stories from the VA's My Life, My Story Project, is the title of a book which shares the stories of 15 Veterans. 1,000 Words will soon be available as a book club discussion kit. The My Life, My Story Project began in Madison, WI, at the William S. Middleton VA Hospital and has been adopted in over 80 VA hospitals around the country.  You can read a digital copy of 1,000 Words: Stories from the VA's My Life, My Story Project at this link (PDF) View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/1000-words-stories-vas-my-life-my-story-project-30143

Central Library - Meeting Room 302

One-on-One Computer Assistance

Get help brushing up on essential computer skills, safely browsing the internet, creating and using an email address, filling out online applications, or even writing resumes and cover letters. Sign up for a one-hour one-on-one appointment by stopping into the Central......More

Get help brushing up on essential computer skills, safely browsing the internet, creating and using an email address, filling out online applications, or even writing resumes and cover letters. Sign up for a one-hour one-on-one appointment by stopping into the Central Library or calling the reference desk at 608-266-6350. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/one-one-computer-assistance-21353

Central Library - Study Room 211

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 a......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-3-27980

Central Library - Youth Program Room

Red Cross Blood Drive

Central Library Madison and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Come to give blood in June and get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. PLUS, get a chance to win a $7,000 prize! There will be two winners. Terms apply: rcblood.org/Count. Drive ......More

Central Library Madison and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Come to give blood in June and get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. PLUS, get a chance to win a $7,000 prize! There will be two winners. Terms apply: rcblood.org/Count. Drive Details: Site: Central Library Address: 201 W. Mifflin St, Madison, WI, 53703 Room Name: Community Room 301 Date: Wed Jun 25, 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-21355

Central Library - Meeting Rooms 301 and 302 Combined

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-27981

Central Library - Youth Program Room

Abortion in Wisconsin: The Law, Your Rights, and How to Get Care

As family medicine doctors, Ashlyn Brown and Sophie Chatas are seeing the consequences of disinformation surrounding reproductive healthcare and abortion laws on a regular basis, despite the abundance of resources for individuals to get the abortion care they need from......More

As family medicine doctors, Ashlyn Brown and Sophie Chatas are seeing the consequences of disinformation surrounding reproductive healthcare and abortion laws on a regular basis, despite the abundance of resources for individuals to get the abortion care they need from the safety of their homes. With this program, Dr. Brown and Dr. Chatas will cover:  The medical terminology and science surrounding fetal growth and developmentThe rights and laws affecting individuals in Wisconsin when it comes to abortion careStrategies for enhancing safety around obtaining abortion care in WisconsinOnline and in-person resources available to support people navigating this choice Please register in advance for this event. The lecture will be presented in-person as well as online. This presentation is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. About the Presenters:  Dr. Ashlyn Brown is a full-spectrum family medicine physician in Madison, WI. She completed medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. She completed a degree in Neuroscience from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. In her next role, she will be working at Planned Parenthood in Wichita, KS providing abortion care. When not doctoring, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, crochet, and play with her two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Fig Newton and Sprout. Dr. Sophie Chatas is a family medicine resident in Madison, WI. She completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Prior to that, she received her BA in English and Math at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. Outside of work, she loves to run, make homemade ice cream, and read poetry, particularly with her cats, Theo and Winnie, curled up nearby. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/abortion-wisconsin-law-your-rights-and-how-get-care-31431

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-21356

Central Library - Study Room 211

'Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Madison' Photo Gathering Event

Share your historic images! Your personal collections of photos and films could appear in the upcoming PBS Wisconsin documentary, “Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Madison.” Bring them to this scanning event and help document the people, businesses and events that shaped ou......More

Share your historic images! Your personal collections of photos and films could appear in the upcoming PBS Wisconsin documentary, “Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Madison.” Bring them to this scanning event and help document the people, businesses and events that shaped our city’s past. No photos will leave your possession. No RSVP required. The event will run from 10am-3pm. Feel free to stop by anytime during the event. For questions or to request accessibility accommodations, please call 608-265-5037. “Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Madison” is a partnership of PBS Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Historical Society. Learn more at pbswisconsin.org/hometownstories. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/wisconsin-hometown-stories-madison-photo-gathering-event-28742

Central Library - Meeting Room 301

WE READ Bubbler Artist in Residence National Velvet @ Maker Meetup

Let your creativity fly as art meets science, technology, engineering and math on Thursday afternoons at the Central Library! Each week we'll explore different supplies and project ideas. Come for a few minutes, or stay the whole time. Best suited for ages 5 and up wit......More

Let your creativity fly as art meets science, technology, engineering and math on Thursday afternoons at the Central Library! Each week we'll explore different supplies and project ideas. Come for a few minutes, or stay the whole time. Best suited for ages 5 and up with some support encouraged. Groups are welcome, but please call the Central Library at 608-266-6345 at least 24 hours in advance if you'd like to bring a group larger than 10. Central Library's Artist in Residence National Velvet will help us start our hands-on Maker Meetup series with an introduction to CAKE AS ART for all ages. While none of National Velvet’s cakes are actually edible, their “baking” process calls for material problem-solving, imagination and innovation. Today you'll design and sculpt miniature cakes and pies using Sculpey clay and a mix of playful, unexpected materials like plastic lids, beads, buttons, felt, yarn, toothpicks, and more! Everything is cuter when it’s mini. Whether you’re crafting a classic tiered cake, a wonky slice of pie, or a surreal dessert from your imagination, you’ll explore color, texture, and detail as you turn everyday objects into frosting, fruit, sprinkles, and more.  (Please note: there will not be any edible cake at this program, but using your imagination might still make you hungry!)   Other events in the Central Library's Maker Meetup series (Thursdays, 2-3:30pm) include: June 26: Bubbler Artist-in-Residence National Velvet: Mini Cake Sculptures July 3: A Bubbler Regatta! (Foam boat making and sailing) July 10: Explore Weaving July 17: Bubbler Artist-in-Residence National Velvet: Crafting Crowns, (Paper) Cakes, and Cards  July 24: Building Challenges (Keva Planks and Stacking Cups) July 31: Paper Puppets August 7: Bubbler Artist-in-Residence National Velvet: Fake Bakery Open Studio with Frosting! August 14: Make your own Zines and Minibooks View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/we-read-bubbler-artist-residence-national-velvet-maker-meetup-28553

Central Library - Youth Program Room

Fake Bakery Open Studios w/ Frosting!!

The Fake Bakery is Open! Drop into the Bubbler Room during open studio hours, where Artist-in-Residence National Velvet is taking cake sculpting to a whole new level. During this time, all the best (and messiest!) materials are brought out for exploration. Can you buil......More

The Fake Bakery is Open! Drop into the Bubbler Room during open studio hours, where Artist-in-Residence National Velvet is taking cake sculpting to a whole new level. During this time, all the best (and messiest!) materials are brought out for exploration. Can you build a cake out of pipe cleaners? Frost it with caulk? Cover it in velvet? Add sequins for sprinkles?! This is a space for all ages to explore wild, wonderful possibilities in cake-inspired sculpture. Is there a cake from your past that lives in your memory? A birthday, a graduation, or one you’ve only ever dreamed of? Let’s (re)create it using unexpected materials like fabric, spackle, spray foam, and more. Drop-in, no registration required. Other Open Studio Sessions with National Velvet (4:00-6:00pm) include: 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/31  This Central Library Artist Residency is supported by Madison Public Library Foundation and Dane Arts. Learn about their residency here! View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/fake-bakery-open-studios-w-frosting-30689

Central Library - Bubbler

Naturalist-in-Residence: Slow Botany at Door Creek Park

Step away from screens and get in touch with nature on a “slow botany” hike. On this leisurely walk, you’ll learn how to identify some common plants that grow in the Madison area by using your senses and printed field guides. We’ll also practice some mindfulness activi......More

Step away from screens and get in touch with nature on a “slow botany” hike. On this leisurely walk, you’ll learn how to identify some common plants that grow in the Madison area by using your senses and printed field guides. We’ll also practice some mindfulness activities as part of our plant identification activities. Door Creek Park is located at 7035 Littlemore Dr, Madison, WI 53718. Registration for this event will open on June 12 at 9am. Part of Madison Public Library's Naturalist-in-Residence program. The Naturalist-in-Residence is made possible in part through the generous support of Nancy Leff and Kenneth Lerner, and in partnership with Madison Parks. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/naturalist-residence-slow-botany-door-creek-park-31506

Central Library - *Offsite (MAD)

Storytelling Workshop for Podcasters

Ever wonder how your favorite storytellers get you hooked and keep you captivated from beginning to end?   Join us for a storytelling workshop with Morgan D. Stewart, host & producer of uHuman’s Creative Recovery podcast. We’ll......More

Ever wonder how your favorite storytellers get you hooked and keep you captivated from beginning to end?   Join us for a storytelling workshop with Morgan D. Stewart, host & producer of uHuman’s Creative Recovery podcast. We’ll learn powerful tips and tricks used by industry pros and dedicate time to developing your unique voice.  You can bring your own or use a library laptop.  Registration required. Registration for this session opens Saturday, 6/14/25. View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/storytelling-workshop-podcasters-29902

Central Library - Media Lab

Saturday Family Storytime

READ and PLAY together at Central this Saturday! 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 fre......More

READ and PLAY together at Central this Saturday! 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. All ages welcome, stories especially selected for ages 3 and up.   View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/saturday-family-storytime-30086

Central Library - Youth Program Room

LEGO Club

Are you a kid who loves LEGOs? It's time for LEGO Club! We will provide the LEGOs, you bring the creativity. No registration required, so come anytime from 2-3:30pm. Best for ages 5 and up as we will be using standard LEGO pieces. LEGOs will need to stay at the library......More

Are you a kid who loves LEGOs? It's time for LEGO Club! We will provide the LEGOs, you bring the creativity. No registration required, so come anytime from 2-3:30pm. Best for ages 5 and up as we will be using standard LEGO pieces. LEGOs will need to stay at the library, but you can always take a picture of your creation(s)!   View this event at https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/events/lego-club-28964< /p>

Central Library - Youth Program Room