From Vision to Reality: Four Community-Led Teams Selected to Create New Events at Madison Public Library this Year

MADISON, WI -- Library Takeover is an opportunity to support communities in making their ideas happen at the library. Following an open call for applications, four teams have been selected to host community events in library spaces later this year.

Every year, Madison Public Library opens its doors to teams of 3-4 people who take their idea from the planning phase to execution. The teams were selected in March and recently completed a four-part event planning bootcamp series to learn about everything from logistics, budgeting, permitting, marketing and more in preparation for their events. This experience will culminate in four public events hosted in library spaces this summer and fall.

"The bootcamp sessions, where we got to see teams plan and develop their ideas, were really inspiring to me," said librarian Sean Ottosen. "Now the phase of turning vision into reality really begins - I can't wait for the Madison community to attend some really unique events that they may not expect to find at their library."

In addition to space and resources for community members to host these events, each team receives a $2,000 event budget, and individual team members get a $400 stipend. Plus, selected teams work with a mentor from the community who helps guide each team through the event planning bootcamp. Mentors also share their local contacts and connections and lend their expertise to the process. This year's mentors are Sarah Akawa, Rob Franklin (Rob Dz), Araceli Esparza, and Charles Payne.

The selected teams for the 2024 Library Takeover cycle are:

Team 1: Mindful Day the Indian Way

Members: Kiran Nautiyal, Nita Ambedkar, Deepti Awasthi, Arpita Joshi

Mentor: Sarah Akawa

Immerse yourself in a mindful day, the Indian way! This team is setting out to dash superstitions around traditional Indian rituals by going into the science behind them, while simultaneously energizing and enlightening attendees with mindful activities like yoga, cleanses and more. Plus, they'll share an authentic Indian Chai and a healthy breakfast, then finish the day with an Indian dance and music session.

Team 2: Full Circle Food Usage

Members: Ciara Hartzog, Adwoa Asentu, Ciera Carter, Shyelle Aikens

Mentor: Rob Franklin (Rob Dz)

With the goal of offering affordable and accessible healthy eating practices, this team will showcase different ways to use the food you have more fully, source food more sustainably, and feel more nourished. They plan to include four sessions in their event:

• Seed to Salad: A Seed Starting Workshop Focused On Promoting Food Integrity & Sustainability Through Gardening w FuelGood Wellness & Apothecary
• Herbal Blends: Using Herbs to Create Your Own Medicinal Teas
• We Got Food at Home: Easy, Nutritious, and Affordable Meals for the Whole Family
• Juicing 101: Making Healthy and Flavorful Juices at Home

Team 3: Latino Women & Trauma

Members: Maria Matos-Schultz, Gladys Viscarra & Dante Viscarra

Mentor: Araceli Esparza

Many Latino women suffer from traumas passed down from parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents that live on in unexplained depression, anxiety, fears, phobias, obsessive thoughts and physical symptoms-what scientists are now calling "secondary PTSD." This team will host conversations with a panel of moderators, facilitate breakout sessions, and provide a list of resources for participants-all with the goal of creating a support network that doesn't currently exist locally.

"Many of our Latino women are single moms, with two jobs, and very little support. Yet, they are the engines of our families. If they do well - the kids do well, and if the kids do well, our community as a whole benefits."

Men are also welcome and invited to attend, as they are also affected by these traumas.

Team 4: Pop-up Portrait Studio

Members: Ann Bellanti, Michelle Kelley, Maria Schirmer Devitt, Savannah Starlin

Mentor: Charles Payne

This event will transform the library into a professional photo studio and allow participants the opportunity to be fully seen. While attendees get their portraits taken, others can engage with a mirror mural with prompts and questions designed to encourage positive reflection and community-building. They will write positive messages on a large mirror answering questions such as: How do you want to be seen? What makes you unique? What beauty do you see in the people around you?

Library Takeover is funded by Madison Public Library Foundation and TruStage. Visit madpl.org/librarytakeover to learn more.

About Madison Public Library
Madison Public Library's tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for nearly 150 years. Visit the library online at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org or @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.

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