Madison Public Library's Goodman South Madison Branch Grand Opening on November 9

Madison Public Library will celebrate the new Goodman South Madison Branch Library with a public Grand Opening on Tuesday, November 9 at 4:30 p.m. A full schedule for the Grand Opening will be released in November. Madison Public Library's Goodman South Madison Branch Library opened to the public on Monday, October 11 at 10 a.m. in its new location on the first floor of the new Urban League of Greater Madison's Center for Economic Development & Workforce Training. The library's address (2222 S. Park Street) and phone number (608-266-6395) remain the same. The hours of operation continue to be Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The new Goodman South Madison Branch, named in honor of philanthropists Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman, increased in size from 3,500 square feet to 12,000 square feet. The expanded space allows for quiet and busy zones within the library, including a welcoming area for children and families, a special teen section, and areas for quiet reading throughout the library. Customers may use one of three small study rooms or attend library events in a larger meeting room. "Irwin and Bob Goodman were both avid readers and believed that libraries are part of a strong foundation for a neighborhood. They would be proud and humbled to be associated with the South Madison Branch Library," said E. G. Schramka, Goodman Foundation board member. Designed by Engberg Anderson Architects, the all-new library is a colorful, comfortable, sustainable and energy efficient public space. The City of Madison will pursue LEED-CI silver or gold certification. Neighborhood resident Derek Brown, a long-time user of the South Madison Branch, was the library's first customer at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 11. He had looked forward to the new branch, indicating that neighborhood residents "really needed more space and computers." Margie Navarre Saaf, Branch Supervisor, agrees. "It was amazing how much activity we fit into our previous space, but our new location will allow us to better serve the neighborhood's needs. Customers have been entering with smiles on their faces and they are telling us how excited they are to see the new library." The new library boasts technological improvements including increased public computer access, self-check stations for faster service, early literacy computers for young learners, and a printing station offering color copies and computer printouts. The branch is home to several special collections, including the Mae Mitchell multicultural children's literature collection, a substantial amount of library books in Spanish and other world languages, and a Madison Community Foundation sponsored collection devoted to informed decision-making about life choices related to education, employment, and housing. Funding for the Goodman South Madison Branch Library was a collaborative effort between the City of Madison and the Madison Public Library Foundation, which raised $700,000 for interior finishing and furnishings for the new branch. The Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Foundation, Inc.'s substantial donation prompted the branch's name change to the Goodman South Madison Branch Library. Madison Community Foundation also made a substantial donation, giving $200,000 to support the new children's area, a gift mirrored by a previous donation toward the Sequoya Branch Library in 2008. "Libraries are now at the heart of every community. We are proud to be part of the Goodman South Madison library's new facility," says Madison Community Foundation President Kathleen Woit. For more information or photos of the new library, see www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/southmadison

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