Join us this December to celebrate the holidays at the library! Whether it is a story time, a craft night, or live music, we have many programs that will delight the old and young alike. And the best part is that all of them (with the exception of a small supply fee for some), are FREE. 

Tween Time: Gingerbread Houses

December 2  2:00 p.m.

Madison Public Library

“It’s out of paper!” You scream in terror as your printer (leisurely printing your homework), grinds to a stop. You look around, but there is no extra paper to be found. These days, a simple run to the office supply store can solve your paper needs. However, paper has not always been as accessible.

In the 19th Century, letter-writing was a surprisingly expensive task. Producing paper was not cheap, and buying quality paper came at a cost. Early in the century, postmasters began charging for distance traveled and the weight of paper. Combine the price of paper with the budding idea of paying for postage – writing to loved-ones suddenly became a line item in the family budget. This added expense led many to find ways to save on paper.