Madison Public Library Foundation Summer 2017 Newsletter

SPRING 2016

Summer 2017 SPRING 2016

IN THIS ISSUE American Transmission Funds Kitchen Program Get Ready to Rock & Read on June 18 New Late-Night Fundraiser: Afterword Book Festival Draws Big Names

FOUNDATION NEWS

Teaching kids how to prepare nutritious snacks is a goal of the Meadowridge kitchen program.

American Transmission Co. Partners With Kitchen Program American Transmission Co. signed on as a corporate partner of the Meadowridge Library kitchen program, committing a $5,000 gift to Madison Public Library Foundation that will be used to help a neighborhood experiencing homelessness, unemployment and food insecurity.

The partnership also has a volunteer component: ATC employees will have the opportunity to prepare sack lunches for school-age children, run a food drive at its offices to stock the kitchen’s cupboards, and help out at the kitchen’s community potluck suppers.

At least 30 children spend their free time each day in the library, and they often don’t return home for meals, said Meadowridge Supervising Librarian Alice Oakey. “In the summer, many kids are here from the moment the doors open in the morning until the lights are turned out in the evening,” she said.

For many of the students who spend a substantial amount of time at Meadowridge, a significant barrier to academic success is an adequate supply of healthy food. After eating sack lunches provided by the library over spring break, children were noticeably more focused on reading, homework, and playing chess or board games.

The library also recognized that by offering food, it was able to build relationships with the kids, resulting in more reading in the library and better overall behavior.

“We support the Meadowridge kitchen program because it promotes community involvement, and creates a safe and fun environment for kids,” said Sarah Justus, External Affairs

“We support the Meadowridge kitchen program because it promotes community involvement, and creates a safe and fun environment for kids.”

— Sarah Justus External Affairs Manager, American Transmission Co.

Manager at American Transmission Co. “We think it is important to connect with and support the communities we serve.”

In addition to the sack lunch program, which runs at various times of the year and has support from local churches, the kitchen serves meals to students several times a week through Al’s Supper Club. Albert Watson shops for the food, prepares and teaches the kids how to cook simple, healthy meals together. The children then eat together in a communal setting, with Watson leading discussions about life choices and his experience growing up as an African-American male in the United States. (He works in the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center.)

The library also works with neighborhood organizations to host community suppers. Food is prepared by the organizing committee, or the library hires a neighborhood cook. The supper discussions include such topics as neighborhood gardens, voting and police safety advice. Sometimes, City Council representatives for the neighborhood attend.

Foundation-Funded Library Takeover Events a Success Two May events funded by a Madison Public Library Foundation grant as part of the Library Takeover initiative raised awareness of local writers, as well as the Indian-American community in Madison.

Library Takeover encouraged the community to “take over” the library by providing space, time and resources for community members to host their own events, helping to set the stage for future library programming that involves and reflects all of Madison.

About 80 members of the Madison writing community came together at Central Library on Friday, May 5, for Share the Word. The event allowed local

Many local literary performers, from hip-hop artists to poets, went to the mic at Share the Word in May.

poets, writers, hip-hop artists, storytellers and spoken word performers to share ideas, showcase their works and spawn innovative collaborations.

“I was delighted to find that when I looked through the survey cards after the event, the most common response to the question, ‘What else would you like the library to offer?’ was ‘More nights like this!’ ” said Community Engagement Librarian Kylee Stoor.

The second project celebrated the Madison Indian-American community’s heritage and contributions to the city with Namaste Madison, an all-day event on Saturday, May 13, at Central Library.

Posters like this one, which bears the names of 200 Indian-American scientists with Madison ties, were on display at Namaste Madison on May 13.

Foundation Earns Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating Madison Public Library Foundation received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, an organization that evaluates nonprofits’ financial health, accountability and transparency to educate potential donors and help them gain confidence with their contributions.

The four-star rating is the highest possible. “Your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way,” wrote Charity Navigator President & CEO Michael Thatcher in a letter informing the foundation of its rating.

“Attaining a four-star rating verifies that Madison Public Library Foundation exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work.”

Visitors enjoyed children’s activities, panel discussions, STE(A)M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) demonstrations, a poster exhibit, and Indian cooking demonstrations and sampling.

2016 Annual Report Available Visit the foundation website to view Madison Public Library and Madison Public Library Foundation’s joint annual report, which highlights news and notable moments from 2016.

The report includes a wonderful collection of photos; a short summary about foundation grants, programming, fundraisers, the Wisconsin Book Festival and more; information about the library winning the National Medal for Museum and Library Service; testimonials from library users; important foundation and library stats; and a list of our foundation donors.

View the report at mplfoundation.org.

Summer Clubs Motivate Kids to Keep Reading When children don’t read over the summer, they lose some of the hard-earned skills they acquired during the school year. The average student will lose up to one month, with disadvantaged students losing closer to two months. As summer learning loss — often referred to as “the summer slide” — accumulates, it can leave some children two full years behind their peers by high school.

Madison Public Library’s Summer Reading Clubs work to prevent that learning loss. This year, the library will focus on targeting youth from low-income households to ensure those who need help the most are receiving it, said Youth Services Supervisor Tammy Pineda.

This year’s Summer Reading Clubs theme is “Read Like a Badger – Build a Better World.”

“We’re planning more intentional outreach to kids in summer school and home daycares,” Pineda said. “We’re also educating people in our community who work with kids over summer break on summer learning loss, and how they can incorporate literacy activities into their daily schedule. Together, we can work to narrow the achievement gap and make reading fun for kids.”

This year’s Summer Reading Clubs theme is “Read Like a Badger – Build a Better World.” There are clubs for every age. Interested children can sign up at their neighborhood library or at Madison Public Library

Foundation’s Rock & Read fundraiser on Sunday, June 18, in the Capital Brewery Bier Garten in Middleton (see story on Events & Highlights page). Daycare groups and other groups that work with disadvantaged youth may sign up online at madisonpubliclibrary.org/kids.

Funding for the Summer Reading Clubs is provided in large part by the foundation and its Rock & Read fundraiser. Other sponsors include Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Overture Center for the Arts, Friends of the Sequoya Library and South Central Library System.

Summer Heats Up Wisconsin Book Festival Lineup The Wisconsin Book Festival has three summer author events on the schedule that are sure to draw big crowds.

New York Times bestselling author Scott Turow, master of the legal thriller, will speak about his recent novel, Testimony, at 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 3, in the third-floor Community Room at Central Library. The story follows an American prosecutor’s investigation of a refugee camp’s mystifying disappearance.

Thanks to the generosity of many corporate sponsors, the first 75 people in line will receive a complimentary copy of Testimony.

Turow

Turow’s talk is presented by Stafford Rosenbaum and Stonehouse Development, with additional support from Andrew Clarkowski; Foley & Lardner LLP; Godfrey & Kahn S.C.; Habush, Habush & Rottier SC; Jackson Lewis; The Law Offices of William F. White; Stroud, Willink and Howard, LLC; and Turke & Strauss LLP.

On Saturday, June 10, at 7 p.m. Jonathan Safran Foer will speak about his highly anticipated novel, Here I Am, at the Gates of Heaven Synagogue in the lakefront James Safran Foer Madison Park. The story unfolds over four weeks in Washington, D.C., when an earthquake in Israel unleashes a political upheaval. At the center is a fracturing family’s response in a moment of crisis. Seating at the Gates of Heaven is on a first-come, first-served basis and extremely limited.

Terry Tempest Williams will share her literary celebration of U.S. national parks when she speaks about The Hour of Land on Friday, Tempest Williams July 7, at 7 p.m. in Central Library’s Community Room. Part memoir, part natural history and part social critique, The Hour of Land is a meditation and a manifesto on why wild lands matter to the soul of America. This event is presented in partnership with Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts.

Find more information on the Wisconsin Book Festival at wisconsinbookfestival.org.

LIBRARY NEW

Short Story: Meet Ashman Shelving Page Michelle Gustafson

Patricia McConnell (left) and Monroe Street Library League President Carol “Orange” Schroeder at Book Club Café.

Friends Groups Busy Hosting Fundraisers The Friends of Madison Public Library held its annual Book Club Café event on May 10 at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. This year’s featured author was renowned animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell, who talked about her recent book, The Education of Will: A Mutual Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog. All proceeds will benefit the libraries.

In other Friends group news, the Friends of the Lakeview Library, the Friends of the Pinney Library and the Friends of the Sequoya Library groups are hosting book sales over the summer to benefit each neighborhood library.

Lakeview June 16, 6–7:45 p.m. (pre-sale for Friends members only; membership applications are available at the sale) June 17, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (bag sale 2–4 p.m.)

Pinney June 8, noon–8:30 p.m. (pre-sale for Friends members; membership applications are available at the sale) Friday, June 9, 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (bag sale, $5 per bag) Sequoya All sales held at 442 Westgate Mall, next to TJMaxx June 3, July 1, July 15, August 5 All sales are on Saturdays from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (bag sale at 2 p.m.)

All of the Friends groups, particularly the Sequoya Friends, are seeking volunteers to help at the book sales. Please visit or contact your favorite library to learn more.

Tell us a little about yourself. I grew up in New Jersey and received my B.A. and master’s degrees in English on the East Coast. My only sibling is my identical twin sister, Cynthia. I met my husband, Dan, in grad school and we moved to Madison for his Ph.D in Psychology, which was sponsored by the Air Force. After that, we moved around on military assignment for the next 10 years, during which time we had three children. Our last station was in Aviano, Italy, located right on the foot of the Dolomites mountain range. It was a beautiful place to live for three years. However, we loved our time in Madison so much that we moved back here to raise our children, even though our families are on opposite coasts!

Our three boys are Jack, 19; Will, 17; and Ben, 13.

How long have you been working at the library?

What is your position? I am a Shelving Page at the Alicia Ashman Library. I’ve been with the library going on eight years now. I’m responsible for pre-sorting library materials, shelving and keeping all those materials organized! Out on the floor, I also help patrons locate materials. I love being able to take care of the books, and therefore, the library feels great.

Michelle Gustafson

What is the best thing that happened to you in the last year? This past summer we were able to bring our extended families, including the kids’ godparents, to a long weekend at some beachside cabins along Lake Delton. It was very relaxing, and a wonderful time to reconnect.

What are some of the most interesting jobs you had prior to working at the library? I was a high school English teacher in Sun Prairie for six years. One of my favorite parts of my job was that I was able to train other teachers as a Mentor Teacher through the UW School of Education.

What are your hobbies and interests? I have been in the Madison Community Orchestra for the past 10 years, where I play the flute. Additionally, I tutor and give flute lessons through my home. I also provide Classroom Management trainings. And, of course, I’m always organizing life with a large family.

What do you like to read? I love reading cookbooks! I equate them to being memoirs or agendas of the authors, so that as you read them, you can really build a sense of who the author really is. And, of course, the pictures of delicious food. As much as I love reading them, it hasn’t really translated yet into turning me into a fabulous cook!

What are two items on your bucket list? 1. Go back to Central America and wind my way through all the countries.

2. I have always wanted to adopt children when we begin to build our family.

EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

New Theme for Seventh Ex Libris: Beer & Bites

Financial Planning Workshop and Breakfast June 20

Celebrate Summer Reading at Rock & Read June 18

Save the date for Madison Public Library Foundation’s seventh annual Ex Libris fundraiser! Join us for Beer & Bites on Friday, October 13, at 7 p.m., featuring the best of the state’s craft brewers, food samples from top local kitchens, live music, a raffle and a large silent auction. Tickets will go on sale in August, and all proceeds will benefit Madison Public Library Foundation.

Four esteemed financial advisors will host a talk and Q&A over a complimentary breakfast Tuesday June 20, at 8:30 a.m. at Central Library to share their insights into planning your financial future and helping you incorporate charitable giving.

It is once again time for Madison Public Library Foundation’s fourth annual Rock & Read fundraiser, which will take place Sunday, June 18, from 3–6 p.m. in the Capital Brewery Bier Garten. This event features autographs and photos with the UW Spirit Squad and a surprise UW athlete; live music

by Yid Vicious and Sean Michael Dargan; free book giveaways; Summer Reading Clubs signup; crafts by the Monroe Street Arts Center; hot dogs, burgers, chips and ice cream for all to enjoy; and Capital beer for sale.

New Late-Night Fundraiser: Afterword Madison Public Library Foundation is adding a new fundraiser to its lineup this year with Afterword, the first-ever Ex Libris late-night afterparty.

This event will take place from 10 p.m.–midnight Friday, October 13, following Ex Libris Vol. VII: Beer & Bites. Guests will enjoy a DJ, dancing, food, craft beer and fun! Tickets are just $25, or $15 if you also purchase an Ex Libris ticket and want to stay. Guests must be 21 to attend.

Tickets will go on sale in August at mplfoundation.org.

Madison Public Library Foundation is hosting “Coordinating Your Charitable Goals — Recommendations from Trusted Advisors” to help you learn more about tax-efficient strategies, different types of professional advisors and the importance of working with a professional advisor.

Advisors will include Julie Bogle, Partner at Smith & Gesteland LLP; Colin Nemeth, Senior Director of Development at the University of Wisconsin Foundation; Meg Prestigiacomo, Vice President and Financial Advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co.; and Melissa Selinger, Attorney and Founder at Selinger & Brunette, LLC. To reserve your seat at this special program, RSVP to events@mplfoundation.org or 608.266.6318.

All proceeds from this event help fund the Madison Public Library Summer Reading Clubs and summer youth literacy efforts, particularly for children from low-income households.

Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation.

You may also buy a $100 Family Sponsorship Package, which includes event admission for six, seven raffle tickets, six ice cream tickets and recognition at the event. Tickets and the sponsorship package can be purchased at mplfoundation.org.

Read more about the Summer Reading Clubs on our Library News pages.

Executive Director Jennifer J. Collins 201 W. Mifflin Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 608.266.6318 mplfoundation.org info@mplfoundation.org

Newsletter Editor Amy Mertz Contributing Writers Carrie Gostomski Newsletter Design Tsela Barr

Madison Public Libraries Alicia Ashman 733 N. High Point Rd. Hawthorne 2707 E. Washington Ave. Lakeview 2845 N. Sherman Ave. Meadowridge 5726 Raymond Rd. Monroe Street 1705 Monroe St. Pinney 204 Cottage Grove Rd. Sequoya 4340 Tokay Blvd.

Goodman South 2222 S. Park St. Central Library 201 W. Mifflin St.