Northside Festival 2026
Saturday, September 12th 11AM - 3PM Mallards | Night Mares Stadium

A Free Community Newspaper Published Bimonthly by the Northside Planning Council

Library

Library Hours
Monday–Friday, 10 am–8 p
Saturday, 9 am–5 pm
Sunday, 1–5 pm

CLOSED Thursday–Friday, Nov. 27–28
See all library hours at madpl.org/loca
tions. All events are at Lakeview Library unless otherwise indicated. Check madisonpub
liclibrary.org/calendar for the most up-to-date information on programs and services.

Baby Storytime (ages birth–17 mo.)

Tuesdays, Nov. 11–25, 10:30–11:30 am

Read and play with your favorite baby. 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. Library programs are always free. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.

Multi-age Storytime (ages 5 and under)

Thursdays, Oct. 2–9 & 23–30 and Nov. 6–13, 10:30–11:30 am

Read and play together. Engaging with books, songs and playful experiences helps children develop communication skills, patience, empathy and pre-reading skills and helps build a lifelong love of reading. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.

Growing Voices Music Class (ages birth–4)

Wednesdays, Oct. 1–29, 10:30–11:30 am

This is an interactive class for caregivers and their children to learn and bond with music. We sing, play instruments, dance and have fun together. After class, participants can stay for free play.

Art for Little Ones (ages 2–5)

Thursdays, Oct. 16 and Nov. 20, 10:30–11:30 am

Join artist Amy Mietzel for hands-on art activities inspired by picture books. We’ll read the book aloud, then create art using unique materials and fun supplies. Additional books that fit the theme will also be available to read together and check out. Siblings and groups are welcome.

After-School Art with Elias

Wednesdays, Oct. 29–Nov. 19, 4:30–5:30 pm

Join local artist Elias Mittelstadt for hands-on art projects.

Cooking with Chef Lily

Tuesdays, Oct. 7 & 14 and Nov. 4 & 18, 4:30–5:30 pm

Join The Kids Chef, Lily Kilfoy, for a cooking class for school-age kids and their families. Participants will learn about different foods, where they come from, how to follow recipes, and how to use a variety of tools. Registration is not required, but participation will be limited to the first 25 attendees. Food is generously provided by Willy St. Co-op North.

We Read to a Dog

Mondays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 24, 3–4 pm

Read aloud to a furry friend from Alliance of Therapy Dogs at Lakeview Library. Bring a favorite book or try a new one from our collection. First come, first served.

LEGO Club

Saturdays, Oct. 11 and Nov. 8, 9:30–11:30 am

Are you a kid who loves LEGOs? Do you enjoy engineering and designing LEGO creations? Join us for LEGO Club. The library will provide the LEGOs, and you provide the imagination. No registration is required. LEGOs will have to stay at the library, so bring a camera to capture your creations.

Minecraft Club

Mondays, Oct. 6–Nov. 24, 4–5:30 pm

Play Minecraft in both survival and creative worlds. There is a limited number of computers, so participants will sign up for a 45-minute turn, beginning at 4 pm or 4:45 pm.

Teen Cooking Club

Fridays, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14, 5–6 pm

Tweens and teens are invited to cook with Chef Lily at Lakeview Library. Participants will prepare and enjoy a wide variety of recipes, while learning about meal planning, following recipes, and using kitchen gadgets and tools. Food is generously provided by Willy St. Co-op North.

Dungeons & Dragons

Mondays, Oct. 13 & 27 and Nov. 10 & 24, 5:30–7:30 pm

Tweens and teens 12 and up are invited to join us for Dungeons & Dragons. Be part of an adventuring party where you’ll use your imagination and creativity to explore a fantasy world in an epic quest. Dungeon Master Derrick will provide support and help you learn to play. Sessions are twice a month and will be for beginners, although participants with some D&D experience are encouraged to join as well. Registration opens two weeks prior to each program date.

Munch Mobile Lunch Van

Tuesdays, Oct. 7–Nov. 25, 4:25–4:45pm

The Munch Mobile Lunch Van will make a stop at Lakeview Library on Thursdays. All people in and around the library can get a free meal.

First Friday Films

Fridays, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7, 6–8 pm

Join us on the first Friday of each month. Selections include feature-length films, documentaries and shorts. Snacks and drinks are provided. In October we will watch “Machuca” and in November “Smoke Signals.”

Dogs! Dogs! Dogs! and Friends of Lakeview Library Annual Meeting

Saturday, Oct. 4, 1–3 pm

Come and learn about the Friends and the many ways this group supports the Lakeview Library. Following the business meeting (1–1:30 pm), there will be an opportunity to meet the Lakeview Library “We Read to a Dog” teams, and the Dane County Humane Society will present their version of Read to a Dog, “Paws and Pages.” Stay to enjoy light refreshments, courtesy of the Friends of Lakeview Library, and free books for children.

Digital Skills for Older Adults

Mondays, Oct. 6 and 13, 10:30 am–12 pm

Join us for this series of classes teaching tech skills for older adults, provided by DANEnet. Oct. 6 will be Photo Storage and Management; Oct. 13 will be Protecting Your Digital Legacy. Registration begins two weeks before each program date.

Cooking with Chef Paul: Nutritious Meals on a Budget

Thursday, Oct. 9, 6:30–7:30 pm

Join Chef Paul to learn how to select and store produce, meal plan to make the most of fresh fruits and vegetables, and reduce food waste in your kitchen. Enjoy samples of Paul’s tasty and versatile recipes. Registration opens Sept. 25.

Fruity Breakfast Pastries

Saturday, Oct. 11, 1–2 pm

Using the fruits of the season, you’ll learn how to make three easy breakfast pastries. We’ll discuss streusel-topped pumpkin muffins, quick applesauce mini-muffins, and classic craisin scones. All can be made ahead and frozen for a convenient breakfast sweet when needed. Registration begins Sept. 27.

Urdu Literary Gathering

Saturdays, Oct. 11 & 25 and Nov. 8 & 22, 2–4 pm

Halqa Arbab-e-Zauq is an Urdu literary gathering where enthusiasts, writers and readers come together to share, appreciate and discuss the rich and diverse world of Urdu literature. This program will be conducted in Urdu.

An Introduction to Hoarding Disorder and Other Issues of Clutter
Thursday, Oct. 16, 6:30–7:30 pm

Margo Nelson will present an overview of hoarding disorder including symptoms, decluttering strategies, strengths of people with hoarding disorder, and potential reasons behind collections of stuff. She will answer questions as time allows.

Memory Screening

Monday, Oct. 20, 1–3 pm

Memory screening is an important part of overall health and much like other routine health screenings. The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Dane County (ADRC) is offering free, confidential, 15-minute memory screening appointments, including educational materials about memory concerns and brain health. Registration begins Oct. 6.

Optimize Your Home’s Energy Performance

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:30–7:30 pm

Are you ready to lower your energy bills and create a more comfortable home? This course, presented by Project Home and MG&E in partnership with the Northside Planning Council, provides you with the knowledge and tools to achieve just that. Learn practical strategies for improving your home’s energy efficiency, from simple DIY projects to larger upgrades. Discover how to reduce your carbon footprint, explore renewable energy options like solar, and take advantage of available rebates and incentives. Dinner will be provided for attendees. Registration opens Sept. 23.

Brain Health and Risk Reduction

Thursday, Nov. 6, 1–2:30 pm

Have you ever walked into a room and forgot why you are there? Join Kayla Olson, Dementia Care Specialist from the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Dane County (ADRC) to find out what happens to our brains as we get older, how to reduce the risks for dementia, and learn more about age-related memory loss.

Beginning Birding: Waterfowl Basics

Saturday, Nov. 8, 9–11 am

Join members of the Feminist Bird Club to learn about ducks, geese and other migrating waterfowl that are arriving in the Madison area for fall migration. We’ll explore the ponds at Nine Springs to identify species of ducks and discuss tips and tricks about how to identify each species. Binoculars and scopes will be provided. Location: Nine Springs Natural Area (1947 Moorland Rd). We anticipate walking roughly 1.5 miles at a slow pace. Registration begins Oct. 25.

Cooking with Chef Paul:
Salt-Free Cooking

Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30–7:30 pm

Join Chef Paul to discover different flavor profiles by utilizing herbs, spices and fresh vegetables in salt-free recipes. Registration begins Oct. 30.

Decorative Breads

Saturday, Nov. 22, 1–2 pm

A stunning bread centerpiece is just the thing for a Thanksgiving feast. We’ll discuss how to make a colorful multigrain sunburst bread. It’s beautiful to look at and delicious, too. And the dough can also be shaped into dinner rolls. Registration begins Nov. 8.

Fourth Friday Poetry Group

Fridays, Oct. 24 and Nov. 21, 1–2 pm

Come to read; come to listen; come to celebrate poetry with this group of fellow poets and poetry aficionados.

Scrabble at the Library

Wednesdays, Oct. 1–29 and Nov. 5–26, 10 am–12 pm

Attention word lovers: exercise your brain by playing Scrabble with other adults.

Knitting at the Library

Wednesdays, Oct. 1–29 and Nov. 5–26, 6–8 pm

Drop in knitting: Learn a new craft or work on that unfinished project with other neighborhood knitters.

Application Assistance

Tuesdays, Oct. 7–28 and Nov. 4–25, 2–5 pm

In partnership with the City of Madison and Madison Public Library, The African Center for Community Development provides assistance with filling out applications and forms related to jobs, housing, immigration, food, health and other community support services.

One-on-One Computer Assistance

Tuesdays, Oct. 7–28, 5:30–7:30 pm

Need help with basic computer or internet skills? Looking for assistance with using a smartphone or downloading library eBooks and audiobooks? We offer free one-on-one sessions on Tuesdays. Call 608-246-4547 to make an appointment.

Madison Writing Assistance

Mondays, Nov. 3–24, 4–7 pm

The Madison Writing Assistance program offers free, one-to-one writing support by appointment at library branches throughout the city. Our friendly, experienced writing coaches are happy to help with writing projects across a wide range of genres, including resumes, cover letters, application essays, grant proposals, fiction writing, memoirs and more.

BOOK DISCUSSIONS

Read the book and join the discussion. New members are always welcome. Check the library calendar or call for details, some discussions are online events.

NewBridge Book Discussion

First Wednesdays, 10–11 am

Oct. 1 – “The Seed Keeper” by Diane Wilson

Nov. 5 – “The Old Drift” by Namwali Serpell

Lakeview Book Discussion

First Thursdays, 6:30–8 pm

Oct. 2 – “Janesville: An American Story” by Amy Goldstein

Nov. 6 – “Northwoods” by Amy Pease

Mystery Book Group Discussion

Third Thursdays, 5:30–7 pm

Oct. 16 – “A Dangerous Business” by Jane Smiley

Nov. 20 – “Scorched Grace” by Margot Douaihy

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