You’ve seen those tiny, painted boxes posted up in a front yard or outside of a business, but have you ever wondered how these brightly colored gems got there?
A fire station-themed library on Lakeland Ave. | Photo by 608today team
There are 400+ Little Free Libraries spread across the city providing access to books to Madisonians. The idea got its start back in 2009 in Hudson — about 243 miles northwest of Madison — by a UW-Madison graduate and is now in all 50 US states and 85+ countries.
Madison was the first city outside of Hudson to receive an official Little Free Library + has continued to grow on the isthmus. The nonprofit organization has partnered with the Friends of the Madison Public Library over the past several years to pull duplicate or unsold books from book sales to fill the boxes.
Today, we’re breaking down these little bundles of good, including what they are, where to find one + how you can become a Little Free host.
A cute house little library on Dickinson St. | Photo by 608today team
What are they
The Little Free Libraries provide access to books for those who might not have easy access to a public library. They operate on a "take what you need, give what you can" model.
Who they’re for
Well, that’s easy. They’re for everyone + anyone. The libraries aim to service children and their families to help further education and support high school graduation status.
Where to find them
The locations of the libraries can be found on interactive maps. Not all of Madison’s are documented, but you take a virtual tour of many around the city.
How to start one
To start a Little Free Library you can simply build one on your own or buy one from the Little Free Library online store. The boxes come undecorated, so you can customize the look on your own. Get inspired by checking out these designs.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your friends you'd like to start a Free Little Library with this year.
Today
- Charcoal Drawing Event “Leafy” in Madison | Mon., Nov. 22 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Hy-vee, 3810 E. Washington Ave. | $30 | Join Charcoal Expressions for a guided class on charcoal drawing. 🎨
- Open Mic Comedy Night | Mon., Nov. 22 | 8 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St. | Free | Come try out your material or listen to local comedians. 🎤
Tuesday
- Sony Camera Basics | Tues., Nov. 23 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Camera Company, 6742 Odana Rd. | $50 | Perfect for those new to photography, this class will cover different controls + settings on Sony cameras. 📷
- Housing Equity Food/Hygiene Bag Packing | Tues., Nov. 23 | 8-9:30 a.m. | First United Methodist Church | Free | Volunteer to create food + hygiene bags for those experiencing homelessness in Madison.
Wednesday
- Board + ABOF Night | Wed., Nov. 24 | 3-8 p.m. | The Cider Farm, 8216 Watts Rd. | Free entry | Order an Apple Brandy Old Fashioned + signature board for $5 off your order. 🥃
Thursday
- Berbee Derby | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 8:30 a.m. | Fitchburg Business Park, 5500 E. Cheryl Pkwy. | $35+ | Choose from a 10k, 5k, or kids dash to get the blood moving on Thanksgiving morning. 👟
Friday
- 7th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting | Fri., Nov. 26 | 2-7 p.m. | The Edgewater Madison | Free entry | Kick off the season with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and several special guests with food + drinks available for purchase. 🎄
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 32º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain 🌤️
Civic
- $20 million in funding for pedestrian and road projects has been approved by the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Autumn Ridge Multiuse Path, John Nolen Drive + more projects will see updates between 2025-2027 with the funds. 🚧 (IB Madison)
- The Dane County Board adopted a nonpartisan map of voting districts during their meeting last Thurs. The map will go into effect for spring elections + you can view the new districts here. 🗳️ (Wisconsin State Journal)
- With the passage of the $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill, Century Ave. bridge — near Pheasant Branch Conservancy — is fast-tracked for replacement + will see the addition of bike and walking paths. The funding will also help repair highways and other bridges across the county. (Channel3000)
Development
- Construction has started on a $34.3 million skilled nursing and rehabilitation center at Oakwood Village University Woods. The building plans to open in late 2022 + will help short-term rehabilitation patients. 🏗️ (IB Madison)
- Oliv Madison — a proposed student housing building on State Street — received an approval agreement with the developer. The Madison City Council voted in agreement with Core Spaces + the building plans to lease a portion of the units below market rate to address the high cost of living for students. 🏢 (The Cap Times)
Community
- Madison Reading Project’s second annual Community Book Drive is looking to collect 12,000+ new books for children. The books will be distributed to children in need + bins have been placed around Dane County until Wed., Dec. 15 for collection. 📚 (IB Madison)
Traffic
- Metro Transit has shared that its services will be reduced over Thanksgiving + Black Friday. You can read here which routes will have changed times + route reductions. 🚌
Opening Soon
- Local trainer Peter Kraus will open a second gym on South Park Street in Jan. 2022. The first location in Middleton was opened in early 2019 + his second location will have a “sexy, moody” atmosphere and focus on group fitness. (Madison Magazine)
Announced
Arts
- The City of Madison will receive $500,000 from the National Endowment of the Arts. The money will be used to help the arts recover from the pandemic + the city plans to distribute grants through a program called “Artists at Work” — an initiative that encourages non-profit organizations to generate creative jobs. 💰
Ranked
- Need to impress your out-of-town family over the holidays? Madison’s own The Harvey House was ranked as one of the best new restaurants in America by Esquire. The No. 8 eatery on the list was applauded for its supper-club elegance + deceptively simple menu. 🍽️ (Esquire.com)
COVID-19
- Today from 1-7 p.m., the Madison Children’s Museum — in partnership with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare — will be hosting a free pop-up vaccination clinic. Children aged 5-11 will be able to receive the Pfizer vaccine + those getting vaccinated will enjoy free admission to the museum.
Outdoors
- The Ice Age National Scenic Trail will see expansion due to a purchase of land in Verona. The City of Madison, Dane County, and the Town of Verona acquired 40 acres of land at the end of the current trail + is expected to pass at this week’s county board meeting. (WKOW27)
Ian’s Pizza is back with its traditional Thanksgiving fare — an entire Turkey Day meal on a pizza. 🍕
The Pizzeria will be selling their fan-favorite slice now until Thanksgiving featuring:
- Mushroom creme base
- Chunks of shaved turkey
- Green beans
- Cranberry sauce
- Stuffing + french fried onions
The question we’re asking about this delicacy is — can we get some gravy dipping sauce?
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Editor's Pick: I checked out the Holidays Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park on Sat. + I have to say, I'm blinded by the light. The exhibit is open dusk until dawn until Mon., Jan. 3, 2022.
Missed Friday's newsletter? Dive into Madison's local fish fry scene + learn where you can make your own chunky blanket.
608today Team
Editorial: Audrey, Ryan, Trevor
Sales: Rachel
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