Blogs

There’s a party bumping at HMCPL! Our Baby Rave program kicked off last October, inspired by the viral children’s dance parties happening in other cities. We have space ready at the library, we have plenty of patrons with children ready to dance, all we needed was a local DJ, fun lights, and as many glow sticks as we could get to throw a unique event for children and caregivers alike.

“The goal of Baby Rave is to offer a free, fun activity for the entire family,” said Jude Mathias, Youth and Teen Services Librarian at the Madison Public Library. “Caregivers dancing with their young ones is a great bonding opportunity, and the unique, trendy nature of Baby Rave brings lots of people to our library that otherwise might never have noticed us!”

Are you looking to take a break from the endless doomscroll of the Internet? You can make your digital detox fun and easy by attending some of our library events! We know the online world can be a scary place, and that’s why we’ve worked to create events and opportunities that everyone can engage with alongside other members of their community!

We love programs that bring people together over something they can all enjoy. That’s why we created Speed Friending and Game On! Mashup, which meets at Beer Hog once a month. This event creates that inviting space for people to turn off their devices, get off Instagram, and play some games while making some new friends!

Have you ever wondered how your hometown experienced the Roaring Twenties? The Korean War? The hippie revolution? Do you want to learn more about what has made your city the way it is?

Most of us have had the desire to know more about where we came from, but finding easy-to-use resources for learning about local history can be a daunting task. If you are anything like me, the idea of having to dig through reels and reels of microfilm and read old records just to find something feels very intimidating.

Looking to start a garden? If you’re anything like me, the warmer weather has got me wanting to start up a flower patch again. The trouble is finding the best way to start and deciding which things to grow. What if I choose something wrong and nothing sprouts up? What if I waste money and time on plants that won’t grow in North Alabama? Don’t worry, the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has been working to bring back the joy of gardening in a way that anyone can get involved.

In the month of February, Cavalry Hill Public Library created the program Melaninated Marvels to help fill a gap in the history being taught about Huntsville.

“A lot of times in history, we see the same few black people, but there are a lot of others who did some great stuff and didn’t get famous for it,” says Courtney Braggs, Branch Manager at Cavalry Hill Public Library. “It’s limiting to only acknowledge a few when so many have done things for you right here.”

In 2026, Huntsville-Madison County Public Library hosted a new type of makerspace class – and one that has excited patrons enough to have filled registration in a week or less each time! The Downtown Huntsville Public Library Makerspace Librarian Andy Anzollitto had seen such interest in the ‘Zine’ Club Meetings, he decided to branch out and teach a Bookbinding Class.

In two relaxed classes lasting about 90 minutes, participants were led through the process of creating their own small moleskine-sized journal to take home. All it took were simple supplies, easy-to-follow instructions, and eager crafters to make this delightful event.

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) is a vibrant community hub, a place to create, explore, and connect. Sometimes, though, what you really need is a little peace and quiet to read, work, or study. At HMCPL, we understand that need, and we're here to help.

With ten library branches spread across Madison County, there's a good chance that your perfect quiet spot is closer than you think! While our larger branches can be bustling with activity, often, our smaller branches offer a calmer atmosphere, making them ideal for those seeking some quiet time. You can find a list of all our branches and their hours on our website.

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) is more than just a building filled with books; it is a vibrant community hub that provides access to knowledge, resources, and a welcoming space for all. The Library is here for you, from entertainment to research to workforce development. If you are passionate about supporting HMCPL, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference. Here are some meaningful ways you can contribute:

Ebooks and audiobooks that you can check out are now a fundamental part of the majority of US public library services. HMCPL began its digital book journey in 2009 with the OverDrive platform. OverDrive owns what is now the Libby app, and the group of libraries that HMCPL partners with to provide ebooks and audiobooks (Guntersville Public Library, Florence-Lauderdale County Public Library, and the Oneonta Public Library) is called the Valley Digital Library consortium. The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Foundation has generously funded this collection since its start.