Building Better Libraries Every Day

YOU CAN HELP

What We Do

Madison Public Library Foundation mobilizes the Madison community to continuously improve, promote, and support Madison Public Library. Your gifts allow us to take the library beyond city funding to a new level of excellence designed to reach the whole community. A Madison, Wisconsin nonprofit organization, the foundation fuels literacy, opportunity, and lifelong learning through equal access to free resources. Our work relies on charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, fundraising event support, and other generous investments that help us Build Better Libraries Every Day.

Author Tommy Orange

Lunch for Libraries

Award-winning author Tommy Orange will join us on April 23 at Monona Terrace to discuss his new novel, Wandering Stars.

Two preschool-age girls reading in library

Library Giving Day

Library Giving Day is April 3! Show your library some love with a gift to support collections, technology, programs, and staff training.

Author Vauhini Vara speaking to attendees at a Wisconsin Book Festival event in fall 2023

Read Our Latest Newsletter

In our Winter 2023–24 edition, learn about spring Wisconsin Book Festival events, the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, and more!

2022 annual report illustration with characters

2022 Annual Report

Read our annual report to learn how the foundation invested donor dollars in library materials, technology, programs and other efforts.

Adrienne Chung speaking at 2023 Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration

Wisconsin Book Festival

The 2024 spring event series is underway! View the schedule and learn how you can support free, year-round author events.

Guests stamping checkout cards at 2023 Ex Libris fundraiser

Ex Libris Grosses $100,442

Thank you to our sponsors, guests, volunteers, vendors, and others who made our annual fall fundraiser a success! 

“The library works at all sorts of levels to make the community more knowledgeable and just a better place to be.”

– Diane Grypp, patron

“Madison Public Library cares about the atmosphere, and allowing the library to be a free community space, where no one is discriminated against. … It’s a safe place.”

– Hasan Kaya, patron