Madison Reporter

MADISON, WI -- Library Takeover is an opportunity to support communities in making their ideas happen at the library. Following an open call for applications, four teams have been selected to host community events in library spaces later this year.

Every year, Madison Public Library opens its doors to teams of 3-4 people who take their idea from the planning phase to execution. The teams were selected in March and recently completed a four-part event planning bootcamp series to learn about everything from logistics, budgeting, permitting, marketing and more in preparation for their events. This experience will culminate in four public events hosted in library spaces this summer and fall.

Sean Ottosen, a librarian involved in the process, expressed his excitement for the upcoming events, stating, "The bootcamp sessions, where we got to see teams plan and develop their ideas, were really inspiring to me." Ottosen added, "Now the phase of turning vision into reality really begins - I can't wait for the Madison community to attend some really unique events that they may not expect to find at their library."

In addition to space and resources for community members to host these events, each team receives a $2,000 event budget, and individual team members get a $400 stipend. The selected teams work with mentors from the community who provide guidance and expertise throughout the event planning process.

The four teams selected for the 2024 Library Takeover cycle have diverse themes and objectives. Team 1, "Mindful Day the Indian Way," aims to immerse attendees in traditional Indian rituals and mindful activities. Team 2, "Full Circle Food Usage," focuses on promoting healthy eating practices. Team 3, "Latino Women & Trauma," addresses the traumas experienced by Latino women and aims to create a support network. Team 4, "Pop-up Portrait Studio," offers participants the opportunity to be fully seen through professional portraits and community-building activities.

The Library Takeover initiative is funded by Madison Public Library Foundation and TruStage. For more information, visit madpl.org/librarytakeover.

About Madison Public Library: Madison Public Library has a longstanding tradition of promoting education, literacy, and community involvement in the city for nearly 150 years. Visit the library online at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org or @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.