Madison Reporter

Alicia Ashman Library will mark its 25th anniversary with a public celebration on Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will feature activities for all ages and reflect on the library’s history and its role in the community.

The program includes remarks from Tana Elias, Library Director, and Margie Navarre-Saaf, the first Supervisor at Alicia Ashman Library who later became Borrower Services Manager for all nine Madison Public Libraries. Navarre-Saaf stated, “Alicia Ashman Library has always offered something special to visitors, and I’m looking forward to talking about all the changes I’ve seen from 2000 to today. The celebration is a wonderful opportunity to remember together the people, services, and experiences we've shared within the walls of Alicia Ashman Library and envision a bright future for library service on the west side of Madison, too.”

Attendees can take part in several activities including unveiling a time capsule from 2000, viewing an exhibit of items found in returned materials called “Book Drop Memories Discovered,” assembling a custom-made community puzzle marking the anniversary, exploring historic photos, making mini cake sculptures with Bubbler Artist-in-Residence National Velvet, button making, and sharing their own library memories by adding candles to an art installation created by National Velvet. Visitors can also learn how to obtain a library card featuring a special edition design by local artist Jaundy Brunswick.

Alicia Ashman Library opened at its current High Point Road location on October 14, 2000. It is the most recently constructed new library in the Madison Public Library system. Former Common Council member Susan Hamlin and former Library Board Member Alicia Ashman cut the ribbon at its opening.

Hamlin commented on the origins of the project: “It was really a community effort to get the library built.” She worked alongside project Co-Chair Donna Gray and former Madison Public Library Board President Tripp Widder to secure space for the library in a neighborhood shopping center after commercial businesses declined interest in the lot.

The $1.5 million fundraising campaign was led by Madison Public Library Foundation with support from local entrepreneurs Terrance and Judith Paul. The library was named after Alicia Ashman—a longtime board member and former council member—who passed away in 2016.

Reflecting on its significance at opening day, Hamlin said: “Madison was built on a neighborhood concept,” adding that “libraries contribute to that neighborhood concept.”