Podcast appearances and mentions of Madison Public Library

The Madison Public Library is three times as old as WORT, and it's celebrating its 150th anniversary with the art exhibit to end all art exhibits, featuring 150 artists. We'll talk with Bubbler maestros Trent Miller and Carlee Latimer. The post 150 Years X 150 Artists at Madison Public Library appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Here's your local news for Thursday, November 6, 2025:We detail the debate ahead of yesterday's budget vote in the Dane County Board of Supervisors,Hear what a former drum corps instructor's accusers have to say about his recent return to the public eye,Discuss how open government cases can often be solved with a warning rather than a lawsuit,Celebrate the Madison Public Library's 150th anniversary - no invitation needed,Look ahead to Forward Madison FC's next chapter,And much more.

Dozens of authors and countless readers will flood Madison this week for the 24th annual Wisconsin Book Festival's Fall Celebration. From Oct. 23-26, the Madison Public Library, in partnership with Madison Public Library Foundation, will present free author talks that celebrate books and spark genuine conversations. With more than 50 events on the schedule, there's something for everyone. To get the details on the can't-miss events, host Bianca Martin chats with festival director Jane Rotonda. You can check out the whole lineup of events here. 

Here's your local news for Thursday, October 16, 2025:We hear how the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is faring during the government shutdown,Outline the state's teacher turnover trends over the last decade,Uncover the world of Soviet-era samizdat,Get the latest numbers on the nation's wealth gap,Meet one of the artists who's helping the Madison Public Library celebrate 150 years of service,And much more.

Learning about your local environment is a great way to feel more at home. That's the message that Madison Public Library's latest Naturalist in Residence Andrea Debbink wants folks to understand. The post Do you know the birds in your backyard? appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Welcome to Episode 240! It's another 10th episode, which means we're giving away a book as we do every tenth episode. One lucky newsletter subscriber will receive a copy of CHASING BEAUTY: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner by Natalie Dykstra. If you're not yet subscribed to our monthly newsletter, you can sign up on our website (go to the “support/subscribe” tab). Dykstra will be our guest on the podcast in October, and we hope many of you will join us in reading her award-winning biography of Gardner. In this episode, Emily recaps her Midwest #biblioadventures, which included quality time at the MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY and MYSTERY TO ME bookstore in Wisconsin and WILD RUMPUS BOOKS, COMMA, A BOOKSHOP, and OPEN BOOKS in Minnesota. Meanwhile, back in Connecticut, Chris visited KINDRED THOUGHTS BOOKSTORE in Bridgeport and came home with a big stack of new books. We discuss another ghost story: “Nightmare-Touch” by Lafcadio Hearn from The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories: From Elizabeth Gaskell to Ambrose Bierce. Neither of us had heard of this author before, and we enjoyed his story very much. Books we read and talk about include EIGHTY DAYS: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans THE EL by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. A FAMILY MATTER by Claire Lynch THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah We also talk about what we're currently reading and hope to read soon, as well as upcoming author events and jaunts. Thanks to this episode's sponsor, Robin Cannon, author of INTO THE SHALLOWS DARKLY. Oh, and a reminder that our Zoom discussion of THE UPSTAIRS HOUSE by Julia Fine is this Sunday at 7 pm ET. Enjoy the show, and Happy Reading! https://www.bookcougars.com/blog-1/2025/episode240

Here's your local news for Monday, August 11, 2025:We head to Central Library to make a fake cake,Get the details on the long history of personnel issues in Madison's Department of Civil Rights,Sit down with a state lawmaker who wants Wisconsin to investigate the epidemic of violence against Black women,Share the true story behind a deadly cholera outbreak in 1832 Philadelphia,Taste-test another cocktail,Review two new features,And much more.

Water bottle? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Hiking shoes and thick socks?? Check and check. Summer is the best time to get outside and explore Madison's hiking trails. From the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to the UW-Madison Arboretum, there's no shortage of places to explore around the isthmus. To get the scoop on the best trails for every ability and occasion, we turned to local author and the new Madison Public Library naturalist-in-residence, Andrea Debbink.  Check out Andrea's guide to Madison's trails here and learn more about her residency events here.

Buckle up because it's time for another Friday news roundup! The City Cast Madison podcast team is here to break down the biggest local stories of the week. Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos has news on some exciting new construction around town, including a new 911 operations center and the Imagination Center. Executive producer Hayley Sperling has the latest on the impending nurses' strike. And host Bianca Martin brings us into election season with Judge Chris Taylor's announcement that she's running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.   Mentioned on the show: Madison Public Library's 150th Anniversary Parties  The growing burden of workplace violence against healthcare workers: trends in prevalence, risk factors, consequences, and prevention – a narrative review [NIH] What To Do on Memorial Day Weekend in Madison [Madison Minutes] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 

Here's your local news for Monday, May 19, 2025:We find out how Madison Public Library is celebrating a big anniversary,Hear what rural leaders had to say at a summit this month in Iowa,Get an inside look into the Republican Party of Wisconsin's annual convention this weekend,Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead,Mark the anniversary of a teachers strike in Mexico,Teach you how to make a Prohibition-era cocktail,Review two new features,And much more.

The City of Madison is celebrating the 150th anniversary event at the Central Library following a marching band parade from the capital square.

The City of Madison is celebrating the 150th anniversary event at the Central Library following a marching band parade from the capital square.

Happy Friday, Madison! The City Cast Madison team is here to catch you up on yet another busy week of news. And this week, we have a special guest. Madison Public Library marketing manager Liz Boyd joins us to talk about the hottest party of the year: Madison Public Library's 150th birthday party! Plus, newsletter editor Rob Thomas has an update on the Abundant Life Christian School shooting. And executive producer Hayley Sperling and host Bianca Martin have good news and bad news from Metro Transit.  Mentioned on the show: String of attacks on bus drivers puts spotlight on Metro Transit [Wisconsin State Journal] Metro Transit Enacting New Safety Measures to Protect Drivers, Passengers [City of Madison] Want this Terrace chair? [Facebook] Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 

Madison Public Library, Madison Parks, and City of Madison Engineering will be hosting the Imagination Center groundbreaking event at Reindahl Park.

Madison Public Library, Madison Parks, and City of Madison Engineering will be hosting the Imagination Center groundbreaking event at Reindahl Park.

Host Douglas Haynes is joined by Madison artist, TetraPAKMAN, to talk about his role as artist in residence at the Madison Public Library. The post Climate Art with TetraPAKMAN appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

The federal budget cuts just keep coming, and this time the axe is swinging at our nation's libraries and museums. In March, the Trump administration moved to gut the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Locally, IMLS has given grants and other funding to the Madison Public Library, Madison Children's Museum, Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Chazen Museum of Art, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and MMoCA. To get a sense of how this funding cut will be felt — if it goes through — we caught up with Madison Public Library Director Tana Elias.  Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 8th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tana Elias has more than three decades of experience at the Madison Public Library. After one year in the role, she's “just settling in” to the position as Director of the MPL.Elias sits down with Madison Book Beat host David Ahrens for a conversation about the history, funding, services and evolution of the Madison Public Library system, which has nine libraries in the city, operates the mobile Dreambus service, and is now building an “Imagination Center” on the north side.Elias and Ahrens also take up the changing role of libraries in the digital age. Contrary to the notion of a library dealing in books only, today's Madison Public Libraries function as a community hub and resource — giving everything from seeds to art to yes, digital and physical books to the community.They also discuss the threat of losing federal funding, and the significant milestone for MPL coming up this year: 150 years of service.

The Madison Public Library has a wealth of resources beyond books.  Your little orange card can help you grow a garden or get across town. You can digitize those old family photos or make cheap photocopies. Madison's Public Library Director Tana Elias lets us in on a few things you probably didn't know your little card can do.  Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.  Learn more about the sponsors of this September 11th episode here: Madison Public Library Jones Dairy Farm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2013, Madison Public Library started its Bubbler program to bring working artists into the library to create, teach and interact with the community. One of the very first Bubbler […] The post TetraPAKMAN Creates Art To Save The Climate at Madison Public Library appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Madison is a city full of creatives and bustling with ideas. But sometimes it can be hard to find spaces that truly let words flow and bring ideas to life. To get some input on where to find Madison's best places for reading, writing, and thinking, host Bianca Martin caught up with Diya Dwahal, a Middleton high schooler and the winner of Madison Public Library's 2023 We Read youth writing contest. Executive producer Hayley Sperling also chimes in with her recommendations and writing process. Mentioned on the show: Madison Public Library locations Wisconsin Historical Society Library and Archives Anthology Madison UW-Madison Biocore Prairie Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.  Learn more about the sponsors of this August 20th episode here: Madison365 StartingBlock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's show, host Douglas Haynes takes a field trip to speak with Alex Booker at Badger Rock Urban Farm. Booker is the Madison Public Library's naturalist in residence. The […] The post Gardening with All Your Senses: A Conversation with Alex Booker appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

WORT 89.9FM Madison · MPL Artists In Residence Wrap Up Summer Programs Madison Public Library's popular We Read Bubbler Artist in Residence program has recently expanded into neighborhood libraries around […] The post Madison Public Library Artists in Residence Wrap Up Summer Programs appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Here's your local news for Thursday, May 16, 2024:We share an update on the fatal, New Year's Day police pursuit in Monona,Attend a call to action at the Capitol,Discuss Black fatherhood and mental health,Take a closer look at wood-burning stoves,Visit the Artist in Residence at the Madison Public Library,And much more.

This week, Omar and Rodlyn-mae get us up to speed on the latest developments at the protest encampment on the University of Wisconsin campus, and Rob and Stephanie give us some updates on what we've learned about the student who brought a gun and attempted to break into Mt. Horeb Middle School last week. Plus, we've got a date for this year's 365 Leadership Summit, we need your nominations for our next Most Influential Asian American Leaders list, and more news from Madison365 and Blueprint365. Today's episode is sponsored by the Madison Public Library's Latine Music and Dance Festival. Links:  Talks at UW break down; Chancellor says she has no power to divest, offers to facilitate meeting with investment decisionmakers A Public Affair from WORT, featuring Rob and school shooting expert David Reidman 365 Leadership Summit information and registration Nominate someone for our Most Influential Asian American Leaders list Madison native Tziah McNair headed to London for once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at prestigious Oxford Summer Program

Tana Elias has worked in almost every single branch of the Madison Public Library system. And after 30 years, she's made it to the top. She's set to take the helm as the new library director in just a few weeks. Among her goals? Get the other 58% of Madisonians a library card and help more kids learn to read.  Bianca Martin catches up with Tana to learn about her big plans for the future.  And did you miss this episode? Tana explains Five Things You Didn't Know Your Library Card Could Do

April 15, the deadline to file your income taxes, is fast approaching. Each year, more than 1,500 volunteers trained by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, offer their time to help others with their taxes.  These tax preparers help file individual income tax returns (Form 1040) for:  Low-to-moderate income individuals Individuals with disabilities Non-English speaking taxpayers Military personnel Senior individuals Individuals who qualify for the homestead credit or the earned income credit Bianca Martin speaks with Wisconsin Department of Revenue VITA-TCE Program Coordinator Juan Carlos Reyes to learn more.  Looking for tax help or know someone who does?  Call the Madison Public Library at 608‑266‑6350 to make an appointment.  Schedule your appointment online to visit the Richard Dilley Tax Center at 2238 S. Park Street in Madison.  IRS VITA Hotline: 800-906-9887 Enter your zip code on this IRS website to find tax prep help near you.    You can also call the United Way at 211 to get more information.  Interested in becoming a volunteer for next season? Contact Juan Carlos Reyes at 608-266-2486 or juan.reyes@wisconsin.gov Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For more than a decade, Greg Mickells led the Madison Public Library. He's responsible for a significant transformation of the Madison library system.His tenure as Director took him to three continents, and to the White House in 2016, when Madison Public Library was recognized with a National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Additional awards received under Mickells' leadership include a Wisconsin Innovation Award for "The Bubbler" program, and as a Top Innovator by the Urban Libraries Council in the Race and Social Equity category.Under his hand, the Library has transformed significantly over the last decade. Three libraries - Central, Meadowridge, and Pinney - have been expanded and renovated. The Library's taken over the Wisconsin Book Festival, launched The Bubbler program, launched the Dream Bus, and navigated safe library service during the pandemic. Dozens of community-based partnerships have been established under his leadership.As of February 2, Mickells is retired from his post as Director of the Madison Library System, after eleven years at the helm. He was feted earlier this month with a retirement party, where foundation Executive Director Conor Moran, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Madison Public Library Board President Alyssa Kenney, staff, community partners, and friends praised Greg for his kindness, care for his staff, and vision for making Madison Public Library a national and even international leader in the library world.WORT host David Ahrens - who got the chance to work with Mickells as a former Madison alder - sat down with Mickells shortly before his retirement for this exit interview.

Did you resolve that 2024 would be the year you took better care of yourself? Are you hoping to eat better and cook more homemade meals? Maybe you're in a cooking rut and want to learn something new, from making your own pasta or soup broth to using more herbs. Cap Times Food Editor Lindsay Christians is here to help. Bianca Martin and Lindsay discuss the dizzying array of options in Madison.  Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Cooking classes mentioned on the show:  Madison College's cooking classes for community members  Madison Public Library's Cooking with Chef Lily classes for kids Willy Street Coop classes  Orange Tree Imports classes  DelecTable classes  Sur La Table at Hilldale classes  Cooking with the Cap Times Individual classes happening soon: Four Winds Farm in Fitchburg class on Super Bowl appetizers  Wildwood Institute class at Olbrich Gardens about native herbs  Meat People butchery classes  Classes with dinner: Pasture and Plenty  Deliciouser  Baking classes: Far Breton Bakery's Pastry Chef Workshop  The Baked Lab's classes on Puff Pastry, Choux Pastry, Macarons + Fruit Tarts  Madison Public Library's Puff Pastry from Scratch  Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Dee Star's not creating his own podcast, he's teaching teens locked up at the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center how to do the same. Dee's own podcast, OuttaDeeBox, helps inmates and their families find jobs, housing, counseling and inspiration to change their lives. Bianca Martin catches up with Dee to learn what drives him. Learn more: Read about Dee Star's podcasting class through the Madison Public Library. Listen to Dee on the OuttaDeeBox podcast.  Learn more about the Big Brothers Big Sisters campaign, It Takes Little to Be Big. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the year comes to a close, we're revisiting some of our favorite shows from 2023. Ones that helped us feel more connected to our community and reminded us of the wealth of resources we have available right in our backyard sometimes. Like the Madison Public Library!  Did you know your little orange card can do a lot more than just check out books? It can help you grow a garden or get across town. You can digitize those old family photos or make cheap photocopies. Tana Elias, the library's digital services and marketing manager, lets us in on a few things you probably didn't know your little card can do.  Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 60 authors, from the nationally famous to the locally beloved (and sometimes both!), are speaking in Madison next week. It's Madison's largest celebration of books, and it's free. This year, most events are in person and take place at the Madison Public Library, at UW Madison and at venues across the city.  We speak with Jane Rotonda, the new book fest director, about why you should be there. 

A community leader survived a drive-by shooting, but needs the community's help to recover. Plus, the Madison Public Library launched three months of celebrating Native cultures and County Executive Joe Parisi joins us to talk about the county budget and his upcoming retirement.

A community leader survived a drive-by shooting, but needs the community's help to recover. Plus, the Madison Public Library launched three months of celebrating Native cultures and County Executive Joe Parisi joins us to talk about the county budget and his upcoming retirement.

These are your Morning Headlines....New traffic monitoring technology is set to be installed along the Yellowstone corridor in Pocatello. Plus, ahead of the inauguration, we talk with two students who interviewed President Meredith III and his wife. Then, a look at Madison Public Library events in October.

Gina Miller is the Children and Teens Programming librarian for the Madison Public Library. She is in charge of scheduling and creating events for kids and teenagers in the Madison Library District. She highlights several fun events coming to the library in October. Article: https://www.byui.edu/radio/local-news/several-spooktacular-events-are-coming-to-the-madison-public-library-in-october

Qwantese Winters is many things: doula, artist, agriculturist, TV host.  When she's not hosting “Let's Grow Stuff” on PBS Wisconsin, she's teaching people all over Madison how to grow and use herbs and vegetables in hands-on workshops… at the library! She's the Madison Public Library's Naturalist in Residence for September. With DIY workshops on making digestive bitters and herbal teas, among other things, she's teaching many ways that food – and a connection to nature – can be healing. 

Milwaukee's Juneteenth celebration was marred by violence, but we don't have a lot of details. Plus, Madison Public Library seeks Indigenous storytellers, the Madison Marimba Quartet performs tonight for the first time in three years and we have an update on the legislature's effort to defund DEI at UW. Today's episode is brought to you by Madison College.

The Madison Public Library has a wealth of resources beyond books.  Your little orange card can help you grow a garden or get across town. You can digitize those old family photos or make cheap photocopies. Tana Elias, the library's digital services and marketing, lets us in on a few things you probably didn't know your little card can do.  Also mentioned on the show: 

Meet the challenger running for Madison Mayor. Gloria Reyes is running on her experience as a former Madison police officer, school board president, and deputy mayor in the Soglin administration. But also, she's running on her experience as a local who grew up here and has deep community roots.  We spoke with Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway about her bid for re-election on Monday's show.  The election is Tuesday, April 4th. Learn where you vote or how to register. Also in today's episode: