Madison Public Library receives $192,500 for Focused Collections

The Madison Community Foundation granted $192,500 to Madison Public Library to build focused collections at seven Madison library locations, to be created over the next three years. The libraries and collections are: Central Library (Small Business & Entrepreneurship); Hawthorne Branch (Pop Culture); Meadowridge Branch (Strong Families); Monroe Street Branch (Audio Books); Pinney Branch (Sustainable Living); Sequoya Branch (Art of the Picture Book); and South Madison Branch (Success U: Education, Employment & Housing). The Madison Community Foundation previously awarded grants for $27,500 each to the Alicia Ashman Branch (Comics & Anime) and the Lakeview Branch (Film & Film History). "This is a generous and significant contribution to our libraries, and we are grateful to the Madison Community Foundation for their ongoing support of Dane County libraries. The grants will allow us to offer in-depth specialty collections on topics of interest to Madison residents, and will provide much-needed funds to help combat shrinking book budgets and rising prices," said Carla DiIorio, Collection Development Coordinator for all Madison libraries. Research demonstrates that people value public libraries and see them as essential community cornerstones. Library usage continues to increase, and libraries were seen as an "essential" city service in a recent City of Madison Resident Satisfaction Survey. When asked how to enhance libraries, users and non-users alike want more current materials. Madison Public Library was one of 256 libraries to receive a top-star rating earlier this week in a nationwide comparison of public libraries. The grants come with a challenge to use the gifts to help build more community support, to develop partnerships, and to raise additional funds for the collections. As the collections grow, the library and community partners will hold events and offer outreach opportunities around each distinctive collection. Madison residents will be able to subscribe to updates about the collection(s) of their choice. The Madison Community Foundation has supported Dane County's public library system with over $5 million in donations for collections, programs and capital campaigns since 2000, including a total of 27 collection grants awarded to Madison and Dane County Libraries. "It's simple - great libraries make great communities. We continue to support this wonderful asset and are thrilled to see the collections grow and be shared so widely across the county." Says Kathleen Woit, President of the Madison Community Foundation. Madison Community Foundation encourages, facilitates and manages long-term philanthropy. Since 1942, the foundation staff has helped people realize their philanthropic goals, allowing them to support charitable interests anywhere in the world. The community foundation also awards grants throughout Dane County to build communities. More information is available online at www.madisoncommunityfoundation.org

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