Julia's blog

Read to a Therapy Dog!

  • Posted on: 13 November 2024
  • By: Julia

On October 13, the Madison Public Library, part of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library System, hosted its first Kids Read to a Therapy Dog program. In partnership with Therapy Partners, Inc., we invited a few four-legged friends to lend an ear to participating children as they read their favorite books aloud. This program is part of the Partners Achieving Literacy (PAL) initiative, which seeks to create opportunities for children to practice reading aloud to an affectionate, nonjudgmental audience—a therapy dog.

North Huntsville Public Library's Opportunity Expo

  • Posted on: 13 November 2024
  • By: Julia

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is proud to offer patrons workforce development opportunities. As Madison County continues to experience exponential growth, we want to ensure our community has the necessary tools to secure meaningful employment as the job market expands.

In addition to digital literacy classes, resume and cover letter workshops, and specialized software training, we were proud to offer job seekers a chance to connect directly with potential employers at our first Opportunity Expo, hosted at the North Huntsville Public Library. This comprehensive range of services is designed to empower job seekers with the tools and skills to succeed in the job market.

Magical World of the Library

  • Posted on: 6 September 2024
  • By: Julia

Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) wrapped up Summer Reading with their third annual Harry Potter Birthday Celebration! 
 
Every year at the end of July, the Downtown Huntsville Public Library invites patrons to celebrate the magical world of Harry Potter. Library employees don costumes and transform the Youth Services area into a Harry Potter extravaganza. Every year, community partners volunteer to help pull it off. This year, 29 volunteers from Mazda Toyota Manufacturing participated. With their combined efforts, the Downtown Huntsville Public Library welcomed 327 patrons! 

Wet Felting at North Huntsville Public Library

  • Posted on: 31 July 2024
  • By: Julia

Adult programming at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) seeks to create meaningful activities where adults can connect with their community members. One such program that has become popular among patrons is the recurring Wet-Felting Workshops at the North Huntsville Public Library (NHPL) Branch.

Driven by a similar purpose, award-winning textile artist and workshop instructor Kami Watson designed the class to share her craft and create a safe space for participants to explore creatively. With NHPL's help and a generous Verdant Fund grant, she brought her vision to life through free monthly workshops at the NHPL Makerspace Studio. 

Garden Rangers at Madison Public Library

  • Posted on: 30 July 2024
  • By: Julia

Garden Rangers is a recurring youth program that spans the spring, summer, and autumn seasons. During this program, students learn about nature, build friendships, and acquire practical gardening knowledge. 
 
Once a month, grade-school students gather at the Madison Public Library for a short classroom lesson planned and taught by local Master Gardeners. Lessons focus on garden safety, plant care, and especially the importance of pollinator species for a successful garden and healthy environment. Occasionally, community partners, such as the Beekeepers group or guest Master Gardeners, are brought in to teach a lesson in their area of expertise.