Effective Monday, March 7, the Monroe Street Library (1705 Monroe St.) will expand service to five days per week. Monroe Street Library service hours will be:

Mondays 10am-6pm
Tuesdays 10am-6pm
Wednesdays 10am-6pm
Thursdays closed
Fridays 10am-6pm
Saturdays 9am-5pm

“We are pleased to restore services to this treasured neighborhood library ,” said Library Director Greg Mickells. “We’ve heard from many community members who’ve shared how much the library means to them and their families, and we are grateful for the support we received in order for this expansion to take place for 2022.”

Due to a 2.1% reduction in the 2021 operating budget, Monroe Street hours had been reduced to three days per week as part of a series of hours reductions and shifts that took place in January 2021.  Then, in October 2021, funding of 16 additional service hours was approved for the 2022 operating budget, with funds coming from the library’s reserves in 2022..   

“In 2020, when we adopted the 2021 operating budget, the Library Board declared our commitment to restoring funding to the Monroe Street Library as soon as possible,” said Library Board President Eve Galanter.  “With the strong support of our loyal library patrons and Alders Bennett, Evers and Vidaver, we've made good on this commitment and look forward to our fabulous staff providing Monroe Street Library patrons two more days of service every week. After such a challenging last  year for all, it's great to have something to celebrate this year!"

The library will also begin hosting programs again in March, including:

All Ages READ and PLAY
Tuesdays, March 8 - 29, 10:30-11:15am
Join us for this special storytime - book, songs, and play for children ages 5 and under. Spending time together and reading aloud with young children promotes healthy brain development, improves language and listening skills and helps to build a lifelong love of reading. Library programs are always free. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.

Toddlers and Preschoolers READ and PLAY
Tuesdays, April 12-May 3, 10:30-11:15am
Join us for this special storytime - books, songs, and play for toddlers and preschoolers. Spending time together and reading aloud with young children promotes healthy brain development, improves language and listening skills and helps to build a lifelong love of reading.  Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.

Babies READ and PLAY
Tuesdays, April 12-May 3, 11:30am-12:00pm
Join us for this special storytime - books, songs, and play for babies. Reading, singing, talking and playing with your baby from the beginning is important because the roots of language are developing in a baby’s brain even before they can talk!

Serendipity Saturdays with the Bubbler
Saturdays, March 19 & April 23, 2-3pm
Will you make a cardboard instrument? Explore pastels or watercolors? Or build something out of wood? That’s the joy of serendipity - you never know until you get there! Drop in anytime to enjoy fun hands-on art and maker activities for kids of all ages.

More information
For a list of all library hours and locations, visit madpl.org/locations
For downloadable audiobooks and ebooks, visit madpl.org/ebooks
To get a library card, visit madpl.org/apply
For LINKcat online library catalog, visit https://www.linkcat.info

About Madison Public Library
Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for more than 145 years.  Visit the library online at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org, madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook, @madisonlibrary on Twitter, or @madisonpubliclibrary on Instagram.