Madison Public Library Foundation has several endowment funds that support each of the nine Madison Public Library locations, as well as a variety of specific endeavors. In 2024, these funds were instrumental in expanding the library’s book collection and book discussion kits. They included:
The Print Books Purchase Endowment Fund. The library spent just over $5,000 from this endowment to purchase nearly 300 new items, such as new editions of test guides, law books, investment books, and college guides. Other purchases included award-winning titles, patron requests, staff requests, and replacement subject updates. Visit the library’s Books page to search for titles.
The Judy P. Olson Book Discussion Kit Endowment Fund. Almost $900 from this fund was used to buy 58 books, which allowed the library to add seven new kits to the popular collection. These include books with a local connection, such as Madison area author Amy Pease’s Northwoods, and critically acclaimed and popular books by authors of color, such as James by Percival Everett and Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. Each book discussion kit includes a canvas bag containing at least eight copies of the book, and a folder with suggested discussion questions and author information. Visit the library’s Book Discussion Kit page for checkout information.
The Mohaupt Endowment Fund. Nearly $5,000 was spent to purchase a total of 311 titles for Sequoya Library. This included new and updated juvenile nonfiction books, new audio-enabled books in both English and Spanish, new popular children’s books in Spanish, and various popular picture and illustrated books.
The Professional Development Endowment Fund. More than $800 was spent to fund five staff members’ attendance at conferences. These included UW Programming with Purpose and Creating Welcoming Spaces , the UW Power Up Conference, and the Drupal MidCamp Conference.
Endowment funds help the library meet financial needs of its changing and growing community. Consider contributing to an existing endowment fund and learning more by visiting our Endowment Funds page.