MADISON, WI -- Madison Public Library’s We Read program is celebrating the joy of reading this winter with activities, programs and take-home kits for kids and families.

“While schools are closed, the library will be bustling with engaging activities to keep your kids learning, playing and growing during the Winter Break,” said Youth Services Manager Tammy Ocampo. “We’ve got programs for all ages, as well as passive activities that families can do in our spaces or at home. The library is a space for all, and it’s important to us that we provide flexible opportunities for lots of different visitors.”

There are many ways for kids and families to engage with the library during Madison Metropolitan School District’s winter break December 21, 2022 - January 3, 2023. Among the passive options are a take-home Comics Maker Kit, which features artist-made interactive materials that kids (and crafty adults) can use to make their own comic books, as well as a handy booklet full of rhymes and songs for parents and their babies or toddlers to enjoy. The baby song book includes content in both English and Spanish, with songs and rhymes performed by library staff.

Library spaces themselves can be a great place for kids and families to enjoy. New play materials were purchased in 2022 thanks to a grant from the Madison Public Library Foundation, allowing for new, open-ended toys to be added at each library location.

“We know that child-led play has incredible benefits to children’s learning -- in academic, physical, and social-emotional realms. After learning more about the Anji Play approach, Madison Public Library has become a leading innovator in the intersection between libraries and child-led play,” said Ocampo. “We deliberately chose minimally structured materials that can be used in a variety of different ways depending on your child's interests and imagination.”

Active art, making, reading and play programs are also available throughout Winter Break for babies, school-age kids, tweens, teens and adults to enjoy. See the full schedule of activities online at madpl.org/winterbreak.

Mini Event Schedule:
Creative Movement & Dance with Isthmus Dance Collective
December 21, 10:30 AM | Central Library
Peg Doll Creations & Dollhouse Warming
December 21, 1PM | Hawthorne Library
Good Night (Not Really): Let's Count Forward AND Backward Family Pajama Party
December 22, 10-10:45AM | Sequoya Library
PJ Party and Movie with Kanopy Kids
December 22, 10AM | Central Library
Cookie Decorating
December 22, 5:30PM | Meadowridge Library
Preschool Play Date
December 27-30, 10AM | Central Library
Winter Break Crafternoon
December 27, 28, 30 1PM | Monroe Street Library
Cooking with Chef Lily
December 27, 4:30PM | Lakeview Library
First Chapter Adventure
December 29, 2-3PM | Sequoya Library

The We Read program is made possible thanks to the support of the Madison Public Library Foundation, Ascendium Education Group, Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Dick Goldberg & Lisa Munro, and David Wood & Jane Doughty. Learn more about We Read at madpl.org/weread and see the full schedule of events at madpl.org/winterbreak.

About We Read
We Read is a year-round, all-ages, community wide celebration of reading what you want to read. To participate, Madisonians can simply find something to read that they love and share about it with a friend or on social media using #WeReadMadison and tagging Madison Public Library.

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.