absolutely beautiful large modern library!! that actually has space for all ages!! they even have a little store on the second? floor with very affordable books. it was actually so pretty, id def go here to do work or study read more

Excellent public library, a great place to find reading, listening material. Friendly helpful librarians, there's a printing station if you're staying a downtown hotel for business or a scientific seminar. If you forgot your book at home there's a small but pleasant used bookstore here with a great selection of used classical CDs. Lots of interesting events. Comfortable and peaceful seating. Because democracy requires an informed and literate citizenry I consider this library to be part of the bulwark of American freedom. read more

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This is a great library, spacious and lots of events going on here! I think that's what I love best, is that various different groups and organizations can meet here. I haven't set an event up myself so I am unaware of the process, but I believe you can reserve the space free. I've been to mayoral debates here and have seen several author meet-and-greets. There are several floors and the space and design is very modern. There are artists pieces on the walls, too - love that. When I was trying to check out a book, though, I couldn't get it. Not on paper, not on ebook, must be that good! The waitlist was long so I just left and figured I'd go for the purchase on Amazon even though my whole point was to come to the library to stop buying books when I can just utilize my local library. I don't know how they decide on how many copies, but dang - they need more of this one I was looking for! There's an app called "Libby" that the library uses, as well - as a tip! Check it out. read more

Madison Public Library - Third floor - Libraries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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When I moved away from Madison in the year 2000, I heard they were going to get a new library, as well as the Overture Center was getting underway. I made a point this past weekend, visiting Madison, to stop into the library and WOW! This place is magnificent! There are many cool nooks for different things or different sitting areas. Getting lost in the stacks, or get lost in the extensive DVD and CD section they still have. Or try the recommended Summer reading picks! (Three tables' worth...). Plenty of arty touches throughout, like an old card catalog made into a room dividing sculpture, and book ends as wall art. The top floor has a green roof, and it looked like the space was set up for a wedding. Plenty of librarians around, this place is simply amazing. read more

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The most adorable library I've ever been to! If you're in Madison and have kiddos, take time to stop by here! They will love it! My kiddos didn't want to leave!! The entire library had interesting art and details, but the kid's section is just too cool for school. There are many neat little alcoves for kiddos to just curl up and read. It's just THE cutest!! Colorful, bright and just plain fun! There are Spanish words written all over for the kiddos to learn as well as computers with educational games. There are some classic adult books nearby for you to breeze through if your kiddos just want to read to themselves. Everything was neatly organized and labeled. The shelving units were extremely kid friendly! Short rather than tall which I have never seen before. It seems like an odd stop for a road-trip, but really it was nice to just kick back for a moment and relax. If I lived here I would take the kiddos here all of the time!! They have events and gatherings so look for flyers posted. Metered parking out front as well as bike rental stations. read more

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Lovely space! Plenty of areas to enjoy reading. Lots of natural light. They adjust for summer hours. It is my favorite library in Madison!

This was my first time at the new library since its opening Stacked bash. It's just as pretty as I remembered it, and an incredible improvement upon the old interior. I dropped by mid-day between meetings and it was busy but quiet. There were patrons of all kinds - people utilizing the free computers, a guy jamming on a guitar in one of the glass-walled labs, and a man catching a snooze in the sun, presumably after consuming chips and queso, the bag and jar still sitting next to him on the end table. After perusing the stacks for a bit I took a seat in one of the large, boxy chairs and was delighted to find that it swiveled (I'm an antsy lady). I was able to people watch out the large windows and had decent phone service to catch up on some emails. One of the things I was excited to see is the implementation of self-serve hold shelves and automated check-out machines. I used to work at a library and I fully recommend talking to your friendly pages and librarians when you can (you'll get and give a lot of great suggestions!), but it's nice to have the automated option when you're just doing a quick in and out or there's a massive line at the checkout counter. Looking forward to exploring the shelves again when I have more time! read more

Everything is free. Free. One more time. FREE! Books, DVDs, CDs, books on cd, play-aways (aka books in MP3 form), video games, magazines, and more. It's all free and you can basically check out as much as you'd like. That should be reason number one to visit MPL. Information and entertainment at your fingertips. What more could one ask for? Not only can you spend hours, err-- days, looking at all of the material, you could also spend the same amount of time gazing at the interior of the building itself. The renovation did wonders for this place. It was the perfect little facelift that the library needed and with the makeover came many great new things. One of the new areas of the library that everyone needs to visit is the Bubbler. It is a place to create. Create what you ask? Basically everything. They have welding classes, beer and cheese making classes, and much more. An extension of the Bubbler is the Media Lab. If there is something you want to learn that is used by entertainment professionals, this is the place to do it. The staff, which is comprised of volunteers who do what they teach for a living, take the time to teach you the software and equipment used by these professionals. I can't speak highly enough about this place. If you don't have a library card, get one. If you have never been here, go here! Explore! Have fun! And remember... it's free! read more

Madison Public Library - One of many cool pieces of art featured in the new building. - Libraries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great place to study and just visit if you are a tourist interested in interior design. They have nicely designed quiet study rooms, boxed out cafe and checkout table, a great green roof at the top and fun wall art. The wood accents and furniture around the building add a finishing touch. read more

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It's been a long time coming, but she's here and she's beautiful! Gorgeous new architecture and interior design set the scene for you to spend a day in the books, gazing out the windows at downtown Madison, sipping on coffee while eyeing up the crowd, and even relaxing in the club like nooks in the kids area. Top floor has a roof top garden, big space for parties, community groups or meetings. The complete makeover has taken this beast to the beauty! They've hipped it up with more adult events, art work and events, there is truly something or somewhere for everyone here. A must even if you are only in town for a couple days. If you live in Madison, get over there to see this beaut! read more

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Do you constantly find yourself thirsting for some sweet, sweet knowledge? Do you find yourself awake at night, unable to curb your craving for books? Do you enjoy 21st century architecture and strolling through art galleries? Well, look no more, because the Madison Public Library is back, and better than ever (can someone vouch for this? When I got here, they were already going through construction), and includes everything I mentioned above, and more! They also host a number of fun events, so I recommend checking out their website from time to time. And for the icing on the cake? It's all free (duh!) read more

Madison Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The hour can spend hours exploring all the wonderful elements of the Central Library. Whether you are eight or eighty-eight. The top floor features a gorgeous roof top garden, the Bubbler Room offers a variety of workshops and fascinating hand's-on projects and the kids area has numerous comfy reading nooks. There is a Media Lab to explore digital media realms like 3D design and audio and graphic design. There are terrific meeting rooms for public events that offer unbeatable views of downtown Madison. And oh yes, everything is free read more

Service is inconsistent and beligerent when it's bad. read more

Madison Public Library - Main Entrance - Libraries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

It feels a little out of place to begin branching off into reviews of places like public libraries and other non-food based locales. But this new downtown library fills me with the sort of warmth and goodwill that inspires a positive review to anyone who will listen to me preach from my digital soapbox. Plus, there's a cafe inside now so... let's just pretend it's a very large internet cafe with a huge book shelf. A few days after it's grand re-opening, I stopped in to gawk and be happy that my library was open again. A friendly greeter announced that I should make sure to check out the children's section downstairs. Good call. Bright, airy, and huge, the children's level on the lower floor is gorgeous. It's filled with crawl-in book nooks, padded climb-on-me furnishings, private study rooms, play mats, mini-castles, game areas, age-based sections, audio/video stations with iPads around the edges, and who knows what else. I felt like a creeper wandering childless and alone in my 30's in this area, gawping at the selection and wondering if anyone would judge me if I curled up in the padded nook below the stairs. So I didn't stay long down there, but every time I am there I peek in, wishing I were tiny again. I also couldn't bring myself to wander into the "Teen Zone" on the first floor. It looks like they have a sheltered TV/Movies lounge in there, along with of course an age-appropriate selection of books and so on. Past the forbidden Teen Zone and tucked into a back corner is an amazing AV / Computer / Media Lab. It's stocked with a sound proofed recording box, photoshop, video editing tools, and everything else I wish I could afford on my home PC and waitress wages. Lets not forget, of course, the main attraction. Books! Books everywhere! Bright and individually lit shelves make browsing easy. Tidy and well organized, I always seem to find myself inexplicably in a section far away from my point of origin with no idea how I arrived there. The fairy-lights must have led me from shelf to shelf, beckoning me with well-displayed arrays of beautiful, beautiful books. There is a newly improved selection of comics, mangas, graphic novels and other assorted art-related narratives. A very respectable movie rentals section. Foreign films arranged by language? Hooray! Non-fiction stacks so immaculately designed and well kept that I never fear that the one book I need will be unlocatable amidst the chaos of the dingy, ramshackle stacks of yore. (Which I still love, because.... because books! Oh the smell of old, stale unarranged books...) The staff are always friendly and helpful, there's always an open computer in the main area, the self-checkout seems to work perfectly, and my reserved books are always waiting for me on the holds shelves, like old friends who know where I'll be, because I can't stay away. Oh yea, and there's a little cafe in there now. read more

How can I say it? I'm fallin' in love at the first sight. Living only two blocks away from this cool place, it took me almost three years to finally give this place a try. Booooooo me! (Well, UW-Madison alone has way too many libraries of which I haven't visited them all!) Today, I was having a very bad day to start a day but I forgot it all once I stepped my feet here. I told my self " This is gonna be another spot to do my D!" As for today, I only explored the first, lower ground and the second floor, because I came here to study. This first visit has instilled some impression in me and I need to say it: WOW! WOW! WOW! I know I'll be back to keep exploring and being amazed! Of all the sections, the children section is the BEST. If only I grew up here, I knew I would have spent every single day in this cozy place. This place has a lot to offer: some reading nooks with light, some funky chairs, some nests to read comfortably! Ah, I'm just so in love. Everybody whether you are a kid or an adult, I can guarantee you'd fall in love easily- less than a second :)- once visiting this section! The first and second floors are for adults :) with of course tons of computers to use, tons of book collection and tons of cozy reading and studying spots. I told myself once again: This is what love at the first sight feels like. Thank you, Madison Public Library for reminding me with the most honest feeling one can have! read more

Madison Public Library - And these nests? Oh MY GOD! I would spend reading the whole books in this cozy nest! - Libraries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Not to start with the negative, but in the four times I have visited the Madison Public Library this past year, three of the times the elevator has been out of service! What is up with that? Ok Got that out of the way. That being said, the MPL is absolutely top notch. From the children's area, to the cafe, to the staff. We stop here whenever we get a chance. It is so much more then a library. I am especially drawn to the art aspects the MPL highlights. My sister (a local artist) shows here on occasion. Most Saturdays there are free art activities for children and adults alike. The best for me is the "bubbler room". No, not a place to get a cool drink of water. A place to learn about art, see art being produced, and to participate in the making. There is always something new. Do not leave without checking it out! read more

I really enjoy Madison's downtown public library branch! The architecture is lovely! The staff is lovely! The selection, from technology to snacks to books is lovely! The spaces to work range from the ability to work privately, individually, socially, to in a group setting is all possible. The self check out is also fantastic! Is it awful of me to mention the loitering? Well... I don't really mind it, to be honest! I just wish the library's entrance wasn't crowded with people loitering so frequently. MPL's main branch is a Madison gem, and so is the entire MPL system! read more

Alright, so if you're looking for a place to sit and hang out and read or go online or something...don't do it here. The building it pretty worn down and not appealing. Go to the Sequoya branch off of Midvale for that instead. Also, if you're going to go there and hope that by chance they have the book you want...you're not going to find it. But here's the good part, this library is CRAZY EFFICIENT when it comes to fulfilling hold requests and outer library loan requests. So while you're sitting at home with your "To Read" list. Just log onto the Madison Public Library LinkCat and search for the book you want. If it happens to be available at the Central Branch (like a 10% chance), then yey! you can pick it up right away. Otherwise, just press the "Request Book" button. And the book will be waiting for you in like a day! Seriously all my requests have been filled super quick. Obviously it's going to take longer for new high demand books, but still it's quicker than you would think. Also, over the summer I did an outer library loan request for a book that the library system didn't even have, the book wasn't even published in the U.S.....I got it in three days. No joke. I couldn't believe it. read more

I have been to this library prior to its extensive renovation, and the new space is fabulous! The design seems to be based upon other modern libraries in the US, with a greater focus on community arts involvement, extensive light, and different types of seating options. Beyond the basics: books, computers, outlets, media, and wifi, the space includes a gallery, cafe, and "maker" space. I am very excited about the new interactive gallery on the 3rd floor. Beautiful modern library for modern times. Very exciting for the Madison Library System! read more

This is a beautiful library. I love libraries and a glass exterior really makes it very modern and inviting! Love the design. There are 3 floors in here, many public computers for use, tons of books, audio books, magazines, DVDs, CDs. It's a disneyland for bookworms! And, there's a chocolaterian cafe here! LOVE it. You obviously need some snacks while reading books! There are receptionists on first and second floor. Sometimes they might not be in the best of moods, but if you be patient and smile loads, they'll melt and be the nicest librarians you know. And don't be shy, just ask! I'm so excited to go online to get ebooks from the Wisconsin Public Library, and you can get up to 10 books at one time! All for just going in and showing proof of residence and a photo ID (driver's license was sufficient for both) to get my library card! Love it. Can't wait to be back and grab tons of books to read! read more

I really like this place. It serves all the needs of a library but it is also HUGE. The thing I hate? No parking. I hate to park if I want to use a free service. I find that almost all of the smaller, more accessible libraries suit my needs well enough. read more

This library is amazing! I love the renovations they have done to this building. One thing i absolutely adore is the fact that there are numerous places to sit down and do homework. It is honestly the best place to study for the fact that it's relatively quiet at all times. On the second floor, there are study rooms for people. There is also now a coffee shop for people who need an extra push to study. Another detail I enjoy is the self checkout. The fact that it's right by the door makes it so much more convenient. Lastly, the librarians are amazing. All of them are super informed and educated. read more

beautiful spaces at Goodman and Central where I often go. Staff is always knowledgeable, helpful, effective. What more do you want?

Sadly, for a progressive community, the branch libraries are lacking in technology and resources. When getting my son's library card, we didn't get a PIN. I am trying to set up his account online, and it is telling me that I need to go to the library to set a new PIN. Other systems I have worked with allow me to do a password or PIN reset online. There is no self checkout; branch libraries are small, crowded, loud and lacking in public meeting rooms compared to other communities that I have lived in. It is sad that a community with such a reputable University lacks in its support of neighborhood libraries. read more

The central library is all brand new and clean, for now. Spacious, probably 30 or 40 computers to use on two floors from 30 min to 2 hours. There's a tiny cafe area, so far I just like the cookies. I'll walk a block or two on State street or Barriques on W. Wash to get a good latte or tea. Plenty of seating and outlets to charge my phone. But, the seating is not comfortable. Not really. The magazine section needs work. It's quite sparse. I like the self check outs, plenty of them around, which is faster than standing in line at circulation counters while one person monopolizes their time for 15 minutes a piece. They are slow! So bless the library gods for the self checkouts. As before, many of the city homeless hang out here and therefore, police officers and security staff patrol the place. Pretty much gives the place a non library vibe. The other branches are carpeted and quieter. read more

I am in love with this library. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to visit at least a couple times per month. It is beautiful on the inside and you can always find a place to be alone with a good book. There are many rooms of varying sizes you can reserve for a group. The staff is usually friendly and helpful. I think we are pretty lucky to have such a wonderful resource in our community. read more

Where I grew up we had a small one story library that was downtown and I was there everyday after school, when I walk into the Madison Central location it blows my mind. The amount of new books they get in is amazing too. The staff is very helpful and the entire building is newly renovated and clean. I could spend all day there. read more

I was disappointed by the children's area... It is a great space for children older than 2 but really is lacking in toys and carpeted play space for younger babies crawling, etc. Other libraries in the area have many tactile objects for younger children and older children alike but this central library only had one bin of blocks to choose from. Especially for the main library of Madison I was expecting much more. Hopefully they are planning to invest more for the younger crowd. read more

Since it's recent remodeling, or should I say "repurposing", Madison's Central Library is now up to snuff. You can throw all the buzzwords: sleek, ultramodern, hip, progressive, reactivated, urban, upcycled, reinvented, contemporary, sustainable, green ... They'll all stick. Remodeled using the previously boring building's structure, it has been reborn into a library powerhouse. With it's vast collection of books and other media intact, it has expanded to include multiple participatory art spaces, galleries, study areas, a cafe, and a rooftop native species garden. Check it out the next time you're in town. Inside and out, it's amazing. read more

I've been meaning to come here for awhile and I'm happy I finally made it! The space is nice - very modern and open. I really liked how friendly and helpful the staff was. They helped me open an account and find the books I needed right when I walked in! I want to start coming here more often, and maybe spending more time here to read and get a snack from the cafe. read more

I am in the building 5 out of 7 days a week - I live very close by. We are fortunate to have such a good library in Madison. My sister, visiting the place for the first time after it re-opened in the fall of 2013, was a bit turned off by it, saying it is bleak, cold not welcoming, and she has a point: very metallic and plastic interior, mostly gray and white - no carpets, no big green plants, no wood (the chairs are almost all metal and plastic, and they are gray) - It is not an ivy-covered old building with big fireplaces, not Oxford, that is true. But it is a good library for a city of 250,000 in a state that is well below the national average in personal income (though the city itself is not poor) - and it is open seven days a week from September to May read more