Library Hours
Monday–Friday, 10 am–8 pm
Saturday, 9 am–5 pm
Closed Sept. 7
(Sunday hours resume Sept. 13)
See all library hours at madpl.org/locations. All events are at Lakeview Library unless otherwise indicated. Please check madpl.org/calendar for the most up-to-date information on programs and services.
Baby Storytime
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Read and play with your favorite baby, ages birth–17 months. 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
Thursdays, Sept. 17 and 24, 10:30–11:30 am
Read and play together with children ages 5 and under. Engaging with books, songs and playful experiences help children develop communication skills, patience, empathy and pre-reading skills. It also helps build a lifelong love of reading. Library programs are always free. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.
Lakeview Play Date
Thursday, Sept. 10, 10–11:30 am
Join other neighborhood families for a casual library playdate for children ages 5 and under and their caregivers. We’ll feature open-ended play materials and lots of books. Siblings are welcome.
Nature Everywhere Madison — with Olbrich Gardens
Thursday, Aug. 6, 10:30–11:30 am
Looking at Leaves and Shapes in Nature. Leaves come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Participants will have an opportunity to look at leaves from the tropical Bolz Conservatory up close and practice looking for different shapes in nature. We’ll take things one step farther and create our own symmetrical patterns with tessellations. This program is geared toward children 5 and under. Childcare and playgroups are welcome.
Cooking with Chef Lily
Tuesdays, Aug. 4 and 18, Sept. and 29 5–6 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. Recipes are not announced in advance, but Chef Lily tries her best to accommodate dietary restrictions. 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, Aug. 24 and Sept. 28, 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.
WE READ Art with Bubbler Artist Elias Mittelstadt
Thursday, Aug. 6, 4–5:30 pm
Join local Bubbler Artist-in-Residence Elias Mittelstadt for fun, hands-on art projects at Lakeview Library. This program is intended for children of all ages.
Minecraft Club
Mondays, Sept. 14-28, 4–5:30 pm
Play Minecraft in both survival and creative worlds. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Ability to fully use a computer mouse and keyboard is required. There is a limited number of computers, so participants will sign up for a 45-minute turn, beginning at 4 pm or 4:45pm.
LEGO Club
Saturdays, Aug. 22 and Sept. 12, 9:30–11:30 am
Are you a kid who loves LEGOs? Do you enjoy engineering and designing LEGO creations? Come join us for LEGO Club! The library will provide lots of 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.
Teen Cooking Club
Fridays, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18, 5:30–6:30 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.
Munch Mobile Lunch Van
Thursdays, Aug. 6–27, 12–12:20 pm
Sept. TBD
The Munch Mobile Lunch Van will make a stop at Lakeview Library. All people in and around the library can get a free lunch.
First Friday Film Nights
Fridays, Aug. 7 and Sept. 4, 6–8 pm
Join us for a film night on the first Friday of each month. Selections include feature-length films, documentaries and shorts. Snacks and drinks are provided. In August we will watch “Ernest & Celestine,” and September is “Tortilla Soup.”
Free Mending
Mondays, Aug. 3, 17 and 31, 12–2 pm
Sept. TBD
Do you have clothes or fabric items that need repair? Volunteers offer free mending at Lakeview Library. Volunteers can mend clothing and other fabric items, but cannot repair zippers. Mending is done on the spot on a first come, first served basis. There is no drop off or pick up. Our menders do what they can do in the time allowed. This service is made possible thanks to the generous donation of sewing machines and materials from The Sewing Machine Project.
Friends of Lakeview Library Donation Drive & Book Sale
Donation Drive: Thursday & Friday, Aug. 13 &14, 10 am–8 pm
Book Sale: Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 am–4 pm, with bag sale 2:30–4 pm
The Friends of Lakeview Library will be accepting donations of books, DVDs, CDs and vinyl on Thursday, Aug. 13, and Friday, Aug. 14, only. The book sale will follow on Saturday, Aug. 15. All proceeds benefit library programming. Thank you for supporting the library!
Seed Saving
Monday, Aug. 17, 6:30–7:30 pm
Seed saving can be a fun and rewarding activity that is family friendly and can lead the next generation into becoming gardeners. It helps preserve historical seed lines as well as heritage or sentimental seed lines. A certified Master Gardener Volunteer from the Dane County UW-Extension will focus on saving vegetable seeds, as well as many flower varieties. You will learn techniques that will keep you and your family involved in the process all summer long. Registration begins Aug. 3.
A Brief History of Puerto Rico: From Pre-Columbian Communities to Bad Bunny
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 6:30–7:30 pm
The place of Puerto Rico is often ambiguous, and so is its relationship to the United States. Drawing on his critically acclaimed book, “Puerto Rico: A National History,” Dr. Jorell Meléndez-Badillo will invite people to grapple with Puerto Rico’s complex and vibrant history, from pre-Columbian times to the rise of global superstar Bad Bunny. This talk will serve as a primer to those unfamiliar with Puerto Rican history and will focus on why its history matters to understand the United States today.
Home Composting Basics
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6:30–7:30 pm
Participants will learn the basics of composting in their backyards. We’ll cover the fundamental science of composting, including yard debris and food scraps. We will also provide tips for troubleshooting common problems. The City of Madison’s backyard composting ordinance will also be covered, as will available resources to assist home composters and plans for building compost bins. Registration begins Aug. 25.
Cooking with Chef Paul: Plant-Based Meals
Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30–7:30 pm
Join Chef Paul to explore the unlimited choices of plant-based meals. Registration begins Aug. 27.
Fourth Friday Poetry Group
Fridays, Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 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, Aug. 5–26 and Sept. 2–30, 10 am–12 pm
Attention word lovers: exercise your brain by playing Scrabble with other adults.
Knitting at the Library
Wednesdays, Aug. 5–26 and Sept. 2–30, 6–8 pm
Drop in knitting: Learn a new craft or work on that unfinished project with other neighborhood knitters.
One-on-One Computer Assistance
Wednesdays, Aug. 12–26 and Sept. 2–23, 5:30–7:30 pm
Do you need help with basic computer or internet skills? Are you looking for assistance with using a smart phone or downloading library eBooks and audiobooks? We offer free one-on-one sessions on Wednesdays. Call 608-246-4547 to make an appointment.
Madison Writing Assistance
Monday, Aug. 3, 4–7 pm
Sept. TBD
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 Discussions
First Wednesdays, 10–11am *Online*
Aug. 5 – “A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende
Sept. 2 – “Where the Forest Meets the Stars” by Glendy Vanderah
Lakeview Book Discussion
First Thursdays, 6:30–8 pm
Aug. 6 – Potpourri! – Read what you like.
Sept. 3 – “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White or “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis
Mystery Book Group Discussion
Third Thursdays, 5:30–7 pm
Aug. 20 – “Julie Chan is Dead” by Lian Zhang
Sept. 17 – “The Phoenix Crown” by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang
