The present main building of the Madison Public Library opened in 1965 and is named for Bernard Schwab, a former director of the Library. It is located one block off the Capitol Square and is the main branch of Madison's public library system, and it has a special room for children on the second floor. In 1999, the Madison Public Library celebrated 125 years of service to the city's citizens.

There are also eight public library branches in various parts of the city. Click here to find a list of all the public libraries in Madison.