MPL Foundation Fall 2013 Newsletter

Fall 2013

Special Central Edition from the Madison Public Library Foundation

FOUNDATION NEWS NEA Grant & Stacked Help Madisonians ‘Meet their Makers’ As part of its Our Town grant program, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded the City of Madison $25,000 to support “The Bubbler”, Madison Public Library’s maker programming based out of Central Library. To double the impact of this grant, the foundation has committed to match this gift, dollar for dollar, raising $25,000 in private funds over the next year.

These funds will help the library offset staffing, promotional, and supply costs for the various “makers” who will take up residence in Central’s new 75-person program space, now dubbed “The Bubbler Room.” Designed to host how-to programs – even after library hours – from screen printing to home brewing, the maker space is equipped with running water, video screen technology, and a magnetic marker board that covers an entire wall.

While Bubbler workshops have already proven successful in branch libraries, the Bubbler programming model officially launches with the opening of Central Library.

“Through Bubbler programming, we’re encouraging creation through the sharing of ideas and resources,” says program coordinator Trent Miller. “Having a physical space like this that invites people in will really allow us to engage the community in a way we haven’t before.”

The public will get its first opportunity to “meet their makers” at Stacked, a fundraiser on September 19 inspired by the Bookless event held when Central Library closed in early 2012. The event will feature art, live music, DJs, food, and drinks. Get your tickets online now at mynewlibrary.org.

Bookless artist Niki Johnson installing her permanent piece, Stacked, on the 3rd floor of Central Library.

Weekend-long Opening Celebration Kicks Off on September 21 Central Library is ready for a new chapter of public library service in Madison! Join performers, authors, and your favorite librarians for a community celebration in the sparkling new building. The excitement begins with music and activities on Mifflin Street between the library and Overture Center at 8 a.m. Saturday, September 21, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m.

“After 18 months of improvements, we can’t wait to show the public what’s inside,” says Greg Mickells. “The transformation is truly incredible.”

The doors officially swing open at 10 a.m. when library-goers can partake in a variety of ongoing, drop-in activities on all floors, including character appearances, interactive art and science programming, and public tours highlighting the art, technology, architectural, and green features of the new building.

provided by Dobra Tea before she reads from her new novel, The Girl You Left Behind.

Get a full schedule of events and your free tickets to see Jojo Moyes at madisonpubliclibrary.org.

Yid Vicious, Big Payback, Off the Porch and other musical guests will perform in and outside the building. Those who work up an appetite dancing can grab a bite to eat at one of the food carts parked out front.

Central Library

Saturday evening rounds out with a Book Festival Preview event featuring New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes. Join Jojo for a Meet & Greet with tea and treats

Leela Young and her mom, Nancy Pandhi, get a sneak peek at the new Children’s Area.

Instead of birthday gifts, Leela asked for donations to Central Library, raising $200 for the campaign.

FOUNDATION NEWS We Want to Know...

Staff - What are you excited for in the new Central?

Inquiring Minds Your Questions Answered

What we’ve heard over and over again during the remodel process is how strong the foundation of the original library building is – strong enough to support adding extra floors and all of the amenities that a modern library requires. I can’t wait for everyone to see what the library has to offer now – on top of the strong foundation that’s been there all along. It’s amazing!

Q: How do fundraising events help the library?

A: I’d be willing to bet that in the last few months, you’ve received an invitation or two from the foundation. In addition to our annual beer tasting event in the fall, Ex Libris, and our author luncheon in the summer, Lunch for Libraries, a volunteer committee has been hard at work planning Foreword: A Grand Opening Gala and the foundation is teaming up with the library to bring you Stacked, the answer to last year’s Bookless event.

Al Friedman Foundation President

Of course these fundraisers are intended as celebrations – of libraries in general or of specific occasions, like the grand opening of our brand new library – but they also serve other very important functions for the foundation. In addition to raising money, events help diversifying the foundation’s donor base, increase its visibility in the community, and forge new partnerships.

Both planning and executing a fundraiser requires time and dedication, bringing creative and energetic volunteers into the fold.

Ticket sales engage existing donors but also introduce new faces to the foundation. Additionally, event partnerships and sponsorships provide a wonderful opportunity for the foundation to reach out to area businesses and organizations. And, of course, they provide a fun way for individuals, especially those who may not have contributed before, to support their libraries.

Molly Warren

- Molly Warren, Librarian I’ve certainly become well-acquainted with the building at 201 W. Mifflin after spending 25 years working in it. Then came the big move to the temporary quarters for the past 22 months at 126 S. Hamilton. I’m so pleased to realize that you CAN come home again! To our brandspanking-new, sparkling Central Library! Love all the glass & light!

Deb Lehnherr

- Deb Lehnherr, Accounting I think it’s really great how the library is embracing the future. We’ve learned from the past and made this library even better for everyone - kids, especially. It really enables the public to learn and grow.

Murvin English Sr.

If you’ve been to one of our events, thank you for making them such a success. If you haven’t, we hope you’ll join us soon.

- Murvin English Sr., Maintenance

As a staff member, it’s good to have everyone under the same roof again. For the public, I think the openness and spaciousness of everything in the new library is the best part.

Upcoming Events

- Mark Penner, Circulation Mark Penner

Stacked, September 19 Book Fest Author Meet & Greets: Bill Ayers, October 17 Stephen Jimenez, October 19

Join the Conversation!

Ex Libris Volume III: Better with Beer, November 1

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and be the first to hear about events and exciting opportunities to support your library.

A newsletter published quarterly by

Madison Public Library Foundation, Inc. Executive Director

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

Newsletter Editor

Courtney Davis

Contributing Writers

Tana Elias

Newsletter Designer

Rebecca Curran

Madison Public Libraries • Alicia Ashman 733 N. High Point Rd. • Hawthorne 2707 E. Washington Ave. • Lakeview 2845 N. Sherman Ave. • Meadowridge 5740 Raymond Rd. • Monroe Street 1705 Monroe St. • Pinney 204 Cottage Grove Rd. • Sequoya 4340 Tokay Blvd.

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

September 2013 Dear Library Friend, In my travels around America and the world over the years doing research for books, I’ve often taken to heart the thought that one of the ways you can judge a city is by the quality of its libraries. My wife and I grew up in Madison, and live here now, and think it is one of the most amazing cities anywhere – physically, socially, culturally, and intellectually. Now it has a downtown public library that fully matches its overall excellence.

A few weeks ago I was given my first tour of the soon-to-reopen library. There was one small part of me that worried beforehand whether it would be more than a freshening up of the old place. The moment I walked past the bold block letter MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY sign out front, any such concerns vanished.

This is a stunning piece of work, so much so that I can no longer conjure up the appropriate word to describe it. Redesign, reconfiguration, remodeling – none quite do it justice. Maybe reimagining comes closer. From the bright, fun, and ingenious new quarters for children (of all ages) in the lower floor to the spacious auditorium to the glorious green rooftop terrace, this feels like a wholly new building. The decision to reconstruct something new within the footprint of what had been now seems wise and wonderful, not just a cost saver and a space saver but a thrilling accomplishment.

We have almost reached our fundraising goals. One more push and we will be there. I hope that you’ll consider making a contribution.

Some buildings are monuments to power, to fleeting notions of grandeur, or to utilitarian needs and nothing more. Our new Central Library is a reflection of our entire city and how great it is in all respects. It embraces and uplifts the citizens.

It is, in a sense, the great book of Madison.

David Maraniss Honorary Campaign Chair

Make your gift today using the enclosed envelope or online at mynewlibrary.org.

EVERYONE gains when EVERYONE gives.

We’ve got over a million left to raise!

Here are five ways you can help us reach our goal: Make a donation Just use the enclosed envelope to pay by check or credit card, add a stamp and drop it in the mail. You can also donate online, transfer stock or make a pledge.

Did you know you can make payments toward a pledge over a period of up to 5 years?

Buy a ticket to Stacked The books are back, but the party’s still on! Stacked is the answer to the wildly successful Bookless sendoff fundraiser held after old Central Library closed for construction. The event will be another celebration of local creativity featuring local artists, musicians, and food and drink vendors. Get your tickets online now for $12. A limited quantity will be available at the door for $15.

Purchase a Book of Honor Show your appreciation for someone who has made a difference in your life — a parent, a teacher, a librarian, a child — by dedicating a Book of Honor. For a $250 donation, your 40-character dedication will be engraved into the pages of a recycled library book as part of the 16-foot-high wall of books in Central Library. Purchase your Book of Honor online or visit your nearest branch.

Get your Special Grand Opening Library Card Coming soon to a branch near you: buy your limited-edition, black and silver library card for $25. Cards will be available for purchase at every branch and proceeds benefit the campaign for Central Library.

Volunteer Give the gift of your time. The library is looking for volunteers to act as tour guides, library greeters, information table assistants, publicity assistants, event assistants, and farmer’s market ambassadors for the grand opening. To inquire about volunteering, please contact Tana Elias, Madison Public Library Digital Services & Marking Coordinator, at 608-266-4953 or telias@scls.lib.wi.us.

Learn more about all of these giving opportunities at mynewlibrary.org.

201 W. Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703 608.266.6318 mplfoundation.org

LIBRARY NEWS From the Director’s Desk Wisconsin Book Festival As we prepare to open Central Library, I am continually enthusiastic about the opportunities Gregory Mickells Director of Madison Public Library this stunning new building will provide for community engagement. Now with double the space available to the public, it will serve as a vibrant gathering place for seekers and learners who want to connect with others in our community during the upcoming Wisconsin Book Festival from October 17-20. While events will take place across the city, Central will act as a primary hub.

On Saturday night, Stephen Jiminez will take the podium in Central’s brand-new, 250-person Community Room to discuss his book The Book of Matt, an exhaustive investigation of the events surrounding the Matthew Shepard murder and its impact on gay rights in America.

Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, will take that same stage to describe her mission to reduce the number of preventable deaths of children around the world as explained in her book I Believe in Zero. While keynote author Bill Ayers will draw a crowd too big for the Community Room, the foundation will host a ticketed Meet & Greet with Bill at Central before heading over to the Overture Center for the festival’s kickoff event on Thursday.

Many festival events will follow this traditional book talk format, but others highlight different forms of communication like spoken word and photography. Together, this variety of national and local authors will bring many voices to the collective conversation here in Wisconsin.

I hope to see you there.

Local History Comes Alive in Special Room at the New Central Library

Madison Free Library

As the library looks forward with a brand-new Central Library and an exciting new program of events and partnerships, a special space will be reserved for preserving the past of Madison Public Library and the City of Madison. The Central Library’s Local History Room will be a special spot for researchers and history enthusiasts to gather and use library resources to uncover stories of Madison’s past.

The Local History Room, furnished

by Wall Family Enterprise & Demco Inc., will include some of the library’s many print resources for researchers (with other resources nearby), as well as space and equipment for people to meet and work together on projects.

The library’s Digital Production Room will offer regular classes on technology for researchers, including scanning and editing photos and using the library’s genealogy and historical newspaper databases.

Two upcoming events will also highlight unique aspects of Madison’s history: The Central Library Grand Opening will feature historian and former librarian Ann Waidelich presenting a program on the history of library service in Madison on Sunday, September 22 at 2 p.m. Ann will also be in the Local History Room during the Grand Opening Weekend to share her extensive knowledge of Madison’s history with library visitors.

Authors Paul Humphrey and Tom Ragatz will present their book Lawyers Who Shaped Dane County during the Wisconsin Book Festival on Saturday, October 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the Local History Room.

Other Wisconsin Book Festival events with a history focus include Thomas Pernell, Eric Raimy and Joseph Salmons speaking about Wisconsin Talk: Linguistic Diversity in the Badger State (UW Press) and Jesse Gant and Nicholas Hoffman speaking about Wheel Fever: How Wisconsin Became a Great Bicycling State (Wisconsin Historical Society Press).

Meet Media Lab Coordinator Nate Clark You might not guess that Nate Clark, credited film and video game animator and recently hired media lab coordinator, holds a law degree. He only got into animation in his mid-20s after realizing that he wanted to “do something he actually enjoyed.” After abandoning the lawyerly life in Dayton, Ohio, Nate began taking classes at Madison Media Institute (MMI). He soon fell in love with the city and a particular Madisonian who later became his wife.

After graduating, Nate worked as a teaching assistant at MMI until hearing about the Media Lab Coordinator position at the new Central. Nate says that meeting MPL librarians and learning about the media lab program completely changed his way of thinking about libraries.

“When I was a kid, you’d go to the library and it was just a receptacle for knowledge,” said Nate. “The staff here has completely twisted my perception of what a library can be. It’s no longer a place just to consume entertainment and knowledge; it’s a place to produce it.”

Attendees can see their own faces in a video game as part of Nate’s interactive animation exhibit at Stacked.

Supported by a donation from the Weston Family, the brand new media lab on the first floor, outfitted with full-grade professional software and equipment will be home to scheduled classes and drop-in hours for creating film, audio, animation, graphic art, and more.

“We’re teaching people real, marketable industry skills,” says Nate. “It’s not just for kids; it’s for anyone who wants to learn.

Those people who grew up watching Gumby? We can show them how to do that.”

Nate Clark working with young animation enthusiasts at the Alicia Ashman Library

Thank You, Gala Donors!

• Presenting Sponsor •

• Sustaining Sponsors •

• Contributing Sponsors • Dessert Sponsor

Purchase your Books of Honor at mynewlibrary.org

• Table Sponsors •

Now Online!

Find our 2012 Annual Report at mplfoundation.org

American Girl • Sean Amick & Steve Rzepka • Annen Roetter, LLC Associated Bank • The Capital Group • Rick Chandler & Heidi Pankoke Circolo Catering • Cricket Design Works • Tom DeChant & Paul Gibler Endres Manufacturing Company • Fearing’s Audio - Video - Security Foley & Lardner LLP • Al Friedman & Susan Tikalsky • Godfrey & Kahn S.C. Sara Guyer & Scott Straus Scott and Mary Kolar • David & Linda Maraniss MG&E Foundation • Mohs, MacDonald, Widder, Paradise, & Van Note Monona Plumbing & Fire Protection • Eleanor & Allan Odden Nancy Pandhi & Alex Young • Pasqual’s • Plastic Ingenuity • Jon & Julie Reneau Jim & Carol Ruhly • St. Mary’s Hospital • Stafford Rosenbaum LLP Stone House Development • Rob & Mary Stroud SVA Certified Public Accountants • Wall Family Enterprise Matt & Hayley Weygandt • Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. Tripp & Nancy Widder • Wipfli LLP CPAs and Consultants

A quarterly newsletter from the Madison Public Library Foundation mplfoundation.org 201 W. Mifflin Street Madison, WI 53703

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