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Madison Public Library director lays out programs, building needs and strategic plan goals
Summary
Library Director Lisa Martin told commissioners the library runs extensive programming (about 486 programs in 2025, ~9,000 participants), lends tools and technology, and needs to address an aging 1906 building and limited staff capacity as it develops a strategic plan.
Lisa Martin, the director of the Madison Public Library, presented an overview of the library’s mission, services and priorities and asked the commission for input as the library develops a strategic plan.
Martin said the library treats all staff as librarians and currently operates with eight employees, offering roughly 60 hours of service a week. She told the commission the library provided about 486 programs in 2025 that served roughly 9,000 participants and reported approximately 45,000 physical books in its collection. “Libraries exist for the simple reason of ensuring access to information and knowledge,” Martin said.
Martin highlighted the library’s "library of things" — items residents can borrow including tools, Wi‑Fi hotspots and recreational passes — and described makerspace equipment available for classes and community use, such as a 3‑D printer and a laser cutter. She described outreach to preschool classrooms and partnerships with local organizations to expand programming.
She said the library building, originally constructed in 1906 and renovated about 30 years ago, is aging and constrains program growth; the library lacks staff capacity to expand all desired services. Commissioners suggested strengthening partnerships with a new day‑care facility, the Chamber of Commerce and Dakota State students to broaden outreach and usage. Martin said she and staff are exploring ways to reach adults and businesses as well as children.
During questions, commissioners and other attendees discussed Spanish-language collections and website translation, translation devices for in-person interactions, accessibility concerns for outdoor programming (noting the library’s back entrance access), and the possibility of offering notary information rather than in-house notary services given limited staffing. Martin also described a music-focused trust left by donor Marjorie Haskins that the library uses for music programming.
Martin closed by asking commissioners what changes they see in Madison and how the library might support the community over the next five to ten years; she said the library will use that input as it builds a board-approved strategic plan.
Next steps: the library will continue community outreach for its strategic plan, coordinate with city staff on accessibility and facilities needs, and explore partnerships to expand programming and services.
