Celebrate 150 Years of Madison Public Library with Parties in All Nine Library Locations in May

MADISON, WI – 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. 

“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.” 

See the full schedule of events and activities below and online at madpl.org/150yearparties: 

Saturday, May 10 

Alicia Ashman Library (Celebrating 25 Years!) 

9-11am | 733 N High Point Rd