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A Free Community Newspaper Published Bimonthly by the Northside Planning Council

Library

Lakeview Library
By Lakeview Library

Section:

Published: December 2, 2025

Library Hours

Monday–Friday, 10 am–8 pm

Saturday, 9 am–5 pm

Sunday, 1–5 pm

CLOSED Dec. 24, 25, 28, 31; and Jan. 1, 4, 19

See all library hours at madpl.org/loca
tions. All events are at Lakeview Library unless otherwise indicated. Check madisonpubliclibrary.org/calendar for the most up–to–date information on programs and services.

Baby Storytime (ages birth to 17 mo.)

Tuesdays, Dec. 2–16, 10:30–11:30 am

Tuesdays, Jan. 6–27, 11:30 am–12:30 pm

Read and play with your favorite baby. Reading, singing, talking and playing with your baby 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, Dec. 4, 11 and Jan. 22, 29, 10:30–11:30 am

Read and play together. 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.

Art for Little Ones (ages 2–5)

Thursday, Dec. 18, 10:30–11:30 am

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

Lakeview Play Date (ages 5 and under)

Thursdays, Jan. 8 and 15, 10–11:30 am

Join other neighborhood families for a casual library playdate for children and their caregivers. We’ll feature open–ended play materials and lots of books. Siblings are welcome.

We Read to a Dog

Mondays, Dec. 22 and Jan. 26, 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, Dec. 13 and Jan. 10, 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.

Dungeons and Dragons (ages 12 and up)

Mondays, Dec. 8 and 22, 5:30–7:30 pm

Tweens and teens are invited to join us for Dungeons and Dragons. Be a part of an adventuring party where you’ll use your imagination and creativity to explore a fantasy world in an epic quest. Our Dungeon Master Derrick will provide support and help you learn to play. Sessions will be held 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, Dec. 2–16, 4:25–4:45 pm

Jan. dates TBD

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

Cookies with a Cop

Monday, Dec. 1, 6:30–7:30 pm

Drop by Lakeview Library for a cookie with a cop. MPD Northside officers will be here to introduce themselves and answer any questions you might have.

Friends of Lakeview Library Donation Drive and Book Sale

Donation Drive: Thursday–Friday, Dec. 4–5, 10 am–8 pm

Book Sale: Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 am–4 pm, bag sale 2:30–4 pm

The Friends of Lakeview Library will be accepting donations of books, DVDs, CDs and vinyl on Thursday, Dec. 4, and Friday, Dec. 5, only. The book sale will follow on Saturday, Dec. 6. All proceeds benefit library programming. Thank you for supporting the library.

Cooking with Chef Paul: Rice Many Ways

Thursday, Dec. 11, 6:30–7:30 pm

Join Chef Paul to explore the wide world of rice. The versatile sweet rice can be turned into all kinds of savory, sweet or vegan dishes, including mochi. Registration begins Nov. 29.

Friday Film Nights

Fridays, Dec. 12 and Jan. 2, 6–8 pm

Join us for a film night (usually) on the first Friday of each month. Selections include feature–length films, documentaries, and shorts. Snacks and drinks are provided. In December we will watch “Hundreds of Beavers,” and January is to be determined.

Cookie Exchange

Saturday, Dec. 13, 1–2 pm

Some cookies are traditionally made only during the winter holidays. We’ll discuss how a few basic cookie recipes can be turned into a wide assortment of different cookies such as lemon pinch, pecan fingers, Linzer, pressed and many more. All of the doughs and cookies can be done ahead and frozen to make your holiday baking fun and easy. Samples will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own cookies to exchange with others. This is a fun option but not a requirement for participation. Registration begins Nov. 29.

Volunteer Event: Native Seed Packaging

Monday, Dec. 15, 1–2 pm

The library is partnering with the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department to provide a collection of native Wisconsin plant seeds this winter. The seeds have been collected by Dane County Parks volunteers. Native Wisconsin plant seeds are best sown in the fall and left to overwinter. Now the library is looking for volunteers to help with the hard part: packaging the seeds so library patrons can take them home. If you would like to donate your time and effort to this project, please register.

Cooking with Chef Paul: Nutritious Meals on a Budget

Thursday, Jan. 8, 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 how to reduce food waste in your kitchen. Enjoy samples of Paul’s tasty and versatile recipes. Registration begins Dec. 26.

Fourth Friday Poetry Group

Friday, Jan. 23, 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, Dec. 3–17 and Jan. 7–28, 10 am–12 pm

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

Knitting at the Library

Wednesdays, Dec. 3–17 and Jan. 7–28, 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

Saturdays, Dec. 6–27 and Jan. 3–31, 10 am–12 pm

Need help with basic computer or Internet skills? Looking for assistance with using a smart phone or downloading library eBooks and audiobooks? We offer free one–on–one sessions on Saturdays. Call 608–246–4547 to make an appointment.

Madison Writing Assistance

Monday, Dec. 1, 4–7 pm

Jan. 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, 10–11 am

Dec. 3 – “Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times” by Katherine May

Jan. 7 –  “World of Wonders” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Lakeview Book Discussion

First Thursdays, 6:30–8 pm

Dec. 4 – “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride

Jan. 8 – UW-Madison’s Go Big Read “James” by Percival Everett

Mystery Book Group Discussion

Third Thursdays, 5:30–7 pm

Dec. 18 – “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Jan. 15 – “Murder at Gull’s Nest” by Jess Kidd

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