MADISON, WI -- Library Takeover is an opportunity to support communities in making their ideas happen at the library. Three teams have been selected to host community events in library spaces next year.

Every year, Madison Public Library opens its doors to three teams of 3-4 people who take their idea from the planning phase to execution. The teams participate in a mini event-planning bootcamp in the fall of 2022, where they learn about everything from logistics, budgeting, permitting, marketing and more to help them prepare for their events. The experience culminates in a public event hosted in a library space in 2023.

“Each library takeover team brings unique perspective and creativity to address a need they see in Madison. We're thrilled to work with them to create community-driven and community-led library programming reflecting the diversity of our city,” says Kristina Gómez, Community Engagement Librarian at Madison Public Library.

This year’s participating teams are:
Team 1: Kichwa Collaborative Learning
Members: Tatiana Sarango, Nina Amaguana, Cayana Amaguana Cachiguango, Jay Lema
This team will focus on the themes of migration and identity, while sharing historical insight into the indigenous Kichwa diaspora from South America to Wisconsin, where they currently live on stolen Ho-Chunk territory. Kichwa as a term broadly refers to the indigenous communities of northern and southern Ecuador, as well as the language spoken in those regions. In Wisconsin, the history of migration of the Kichwa community dates back to as early as the 1980’s. Through a series of interactive activities, storytelling, and music, this event invites community members to invoke critical thinking and question western notions of migration as a tool of resistance. This event is designed to elevate the lived experiences of the Kichwa diaspora in Wisconsin from a first person perspective, and provide a collaborative learning experience for all who attend.

Team 2: Parent Event
Members: Aaron Seligman, Mayra M Falcon Pineda, Ashley Inda, Agustina Perez
Started by parents whose kids attend Nuestro Mundo Community School, this group hopes to provide an opportunity for parents to gather in-person to share knowledge, resources and tips. Parents could propose topics, such as "rainy day activities" "bedtime routines" "picky eaters" "favorite books" "outdoor places in Madison" or "shows to watch when the kids are asleep" - but the actual topics would be up to those who attend. Following the "open space" structure, parents could move to the topics of greatest interest and then change throughout the event. This event will include bilingual discussion groups in English and Spanish, with open discussion where people can learn from each other without the hierarchy of a single “expert”. They would like to be able to offer childcare so parents can engage fully. This team is focused on getting parents and caregivers together in a way that is inclusive and community building for other elementary school-aged families.

Team 3: LGBTQIA+ Social Event
Members: Renee Reed, Bernice Amos, Tiffany Sneed, nour loren
This team wants to bring together LGBTQIA+ BIPOC folks for a salon-type experience featuring music, mocktails, spoken word, poetry and more. The goal is to provide a relaxing, joyful space for Queer BIPOC folks to meet, mix and mingle in an alcohol and drug-free environment that intentionally provides the best space possible for equitable access.
With support from the Madison Public Library Foundation, the library is able to provide space, time, and resources for community members to host these events. Each team has a $2,000 event budget, and members of each team receive a $400 stipend.

Selected teams work with a mentor from the community. This year’s mentors are Sarah Akawa, Rob Dz, and T.S. Banks. Mentors help guide their team through a crash course on event planning, share their local contacts and connections, and lend their expertise to the process.

Library Takeover is funded in part by Madison Public Library Foundation. Visit madpl.org/library-takeover to learn more.

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.