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Masking is encouraged but not required in Madison Public Libraries according to current guidance from Public Health Madison & Dane County.  Read more.

Madison Public Library is hosting a number of holiday and/or winter-themed events for kids and families.

Sock Snowpeople December 8, 5:30-6:30PM | Meadowridge Library

Are you excited for all things winter?! Join us to make your very own sock snow person! This program is intended for teens + tweens.

Holiday Journaling Workshop December 13, 6-7PM | >>VIRTUAL<<

Join us for this writing, processing, and planning adventure. Give shape and definition to your holiday season before it arrives. This event is not holiday specific. All are welcome! Using 2-3 different journaling techniques, you will determine what holiday traditions stay, and which ones will wrap up. Swap out the mindsets, attitudes, and traditions of the past that need an upgrade, and make space for the new and intentional! Journalist Beth Turner leads this virtual journaling workshop. Registration Required: REGISTER

Decorate Your Own Mug December 15, 5:30-6:30PM | Meadowridge Library

Get ready to enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate! Teens and tweens will be designing their own vinyl stickers to decorate mugs that they can take home. Hot chocolate and materials provided. 

Multi-Age Storytime (ages 5 and under): Winter Celebration

READ and PLAY together with children under age 5! Engaging with books, songs and playful experiences all help children develop communication skills, patience, empathy, and pre-reading skills​ and helps to build a lifelong love of reading. Join us for this festive celebration of Winter at Meadowridge's last storytime of 2022!

Tinkering Tuesday: Snow Globes December 20, 4:30-5:30PM | Meadowridge Library

Drop in to the children's area at Meadowridge Library for art, making, tinkering, and fun! This week, we will celebrate the winter season by making our own snow globes out of glitter, glycerine, and small plastic toys or other objects. Bring a favorite small toy that you no longer play with but want to commemorate in a snow globe, or use one provided. Objects must be waterproof and able to fit through a 2.75" ring. All ages welcome. Children under 5 will need extra help from a parent or caregiver. No registration required. 

December 21, 2-4PM | Sequoya Library

Join us for a fun family film chosen with grades K-5 in mind. We'll even supply the snacks!

Good Night (Not Really): Let's Count Forward AND Backward Family Pajama Party

December 22, 10-10:45AM | Sequoya Library

School's out for winter break, so put on your coziest pajamas and join local author Nan Evenson (Bogue) for a fun and interactive event inspired by her new picture book, Good Night (Not Really): Let's Count Forward AND Backward. We'll read this "humorous and spirited counting tale for young readers" (Kirkus Review) together before enjoying some activity stations based on the book. Toddlers and preschoolers won't want to miss this special storytime with a twist, and siblings of all ages are welcome. Pajamas are optional, and copies of the book will be available for sale after the event. We'll also have a grand-prize drawing for a make-your-own green cupcake kit!

Cookie Decorating December 22, 5:30-6:30PM | Meadowridge Library

Stop by the library to decorate sugar cookies! Teens and tweens can use their imaginations to make their own creations.

December 28, 2-4PM | Sequoya Library

Join us for a fun family film chosen with grades K-5 in mind. We'll even supply the snacks!

December 29, 2-3PM | Sequoya Library

Not sure what to read next? Librarian Ruth will read some great first chapters aloud to give you some ideas. 

Friday Family Films - The Polar Express December 2, 5:30-7:45PM | Goodman South Madison Library

The Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away) reunite for The Polar Express, an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Friday Family Films - The Perfect Holiday December 9, 5:30-7:45PM | Goodman South Madison Library

All a young girl wants for Christmas is a husband for her divorced mother, so she dumps the problem into the lap of a department-store Santa, who decides to handle the matter personally.

Pinney Friday Flicks - Edward Scissorhands (1990) December 9, 6-8PM | Pinney Library

A scientist (Vincent Price) builds an animated human being -- the gentle Edward (Johnny Depp). The scientist dies before he can finish assembling Edward, though, leaving the young man with a freakish appearance accentuated by the scissor blades he has instead of hands. Loving suburban saleswoman Peg (Dianne Wiest) discovers Edward and takes him home, where he falls for Peg's teen daughter (Winona Ryder). However, despite his kindness and artistic talent, Edward's hands make him an outcast.

Friday Family Films - Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas December 16, 5:30-7:45PM | Goodman South Madison Library

Madea agrees to spend Christmas in a small rural town in order to visit a friend's daughter in this heartwarming comedy-drama. In time, the no-nonsense matriarch has a huge impact on the community as they prepare for an annual holiday carnival.

Friday Family Films - The Santa Clause December 23, 5:30-7:45PM | Goodman South Madison Library

A divorced adman inadvertently becomes the real Santa when he puts on the suit of the guy who fell off of his roof.

Pinney Friday Flicks - The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) December 23, 6-8PM | Pinney Library

The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets -- Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle -- weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases -- past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness.

Free Mending 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 12-2PM | Hawthorne Library Thursdays, 10AM-12PM | Central Library

We’re here to mend anything you need for the colder months, including clothing, coats, and any other fabric-related repairs, except for zippers. Sewers from the Sewing Machine Project will be available to mend your things for free.

Dane CORE 2.0 Rental Assistance Mondays, 10AM-6PM | Hawthorne Library (Not available Monday, Dec. 26 due to holiday hours) Tuesdays, 11AM-5PM | Lakeview Library Thursdays, 11AM-3PM | Pinney Library

Are you behind on your rent because of the pandemic, either directly or indirectly? You are not alone. Many people are experiencing financial hardship right now.The African Center for Community Development will be in our libraries to help individuals and families who owe back rent apply for Dane Core assistance. Eligible households in need of rental and utility assistance should stop by.

Open Healthcare Enrollment with Covering Wisconsin December 10, 10AM-2PM | Pinney Library

Have questions about healthcare coverage?  Schedule an appointment with a trained health insurance navigator from Covering Wisconsin.

Schedule an appointment by calling 608-261-1455, 2-1-1, or scheduling through the Covering Wisconsin Website website here: Enroll — Covering Wisconsin

Second Harvest FoodShare Second Friday of each Month, 12-4PM | Central Library

Provides FoodShare (food assistance on a QUEST Card) benefit information: help applying and submitting documents, assistance with renewals and reporting changes, as well as ongoing benefit support.

Job Resource Assistance 1st & 3rd Thursday, 4-7PM (by 1-hour appt) | Central Library

Sign up for a free one hour session of one-on-one assistance by calling 266-6350.

Munch Mobile Lunch Van Saturdays, 1-1:15PM | Lakeview Library

The Munch Mobile Lunch Van will make a stop at Lakeview Library on Saturdays during the school year. All people in and around the library can get a free lunch between 1 and 1:15PM.

COVID Vaccine Clinic Tuesdays, 3-6PM | Lakeview Library

Free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters at the Lakeview Library, administered by Public Health Madison & Dane County!

1st, 2nd, or booster doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson available while supplies last.

Everyone 5 and older is welcome. 5-17 year olds need a parent or guardian present.

Walk-ins encouraged. Appointments are available but not required. Please visit https://publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/vaccination-appointments to book an appointment.

Events on Check It Out

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Madison Public Library is an agency of the City of Madison and a member of the South Central Library System

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