New Central Branch seeks to further embed library in community

The children's room at the new Central Library is 10,000 square feet. (Courtesy:Jim Escalante)

The Madison Public Library’s new Central Branch will open on September 21 in downtown Madison, and library staff hope the new space will help establish connections with the community.

The new branch will provide opportunities for citizens with different needs and interests, said Library Media Coordinator Tana Elias.  

“I’m excited to show patrons the new space,” Elias said.

The Madison Public Library’s new logo symbolizes the different services the library provides, Elias said. The logo’s different colors reflect these different services, and the new Central Branch will provide patrons with diverse materials and activities.

“The library space embodies the new logo. It is a space for everyone…a space for various activities to happen,” Elias said.

Programming will be a key part of the new branch.

Director Greg Mickells believes programming such as “The Bubbler,” which consists of workshopsA view from the Central Library's new third floor looking toward the green roof. (Courtesy: Jim Escalante with local experts in arts and culture, will transform the library experience. 

“The Bubbler creates a platform for local content. It creates an experience for individuals when they visit the library. It is no longer a static experience,” he said.

In addition to local art and culture experts, the Central Branch has connected with Madison social service providers, including the Salvation Army of Dane County and Porchlight Inc. to address the needs of Madison’s homeless’ residents.

“When planning the building, we had a lot of community meetings with homeless service providers and business people. That’s why we have a first floor meeting room,” Elias said.

Mickells is proud of these relationships that will benefit all Madison residents wanting to visit the new branch. Although they are proud of their current community relationships, the Central Branch wants to develop partnerships with more downtown businesses.

The new branch also will emphasize technology. The old branch had 27 computers, but the new branch will have 100.  Elias said the media lab will allow people to learn how to use digital editing equipment. The lab will also provide Internet access for patrons.

“A lot of people don’t have internet service, and they are able to come to use access,” she said.

Although the new Central Branch opening is exciting time for the Madison Public Library System, Mickells and Elias said they want continue to improve the library experience for patrons.

“We will start with this momentum, but keep changing, keep evolving. We want to make this relevant and meaningful through,” Mickells said, emphasizing community outreach.

“Downtown has changed in the last couple years, and we want to connect with people,” Elias said.