Wisconsin Solar Tour (Oct 2)

Open the door to renewable energy...

If you are interested in exploring alternative energy solutions, come take of tour of area (south-central region) homes and businesses that have incorporated wind, solar and geothermal technologies into their design and energy production--electricity, space and water heating.

On Saturday, October 2, business and home sites will be open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

(All tour sites are free and open to the public; stop by and chat with business and home owners about how they have made that transition to renewable solutions to their energy needs).

For more information, visit the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Solar Tour Web site.

World Dairy Expo (Sept 28-Oct 2)

"Crowning Achievements - Golden Opportunities"

The annual World Dairy Expo, hosted at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, provides an opportunity for producers, industry representatives, and members of academic and professional organizations to meet, compete, showcase and exchange ideas regarding the dairy sector.

Information, for all dairy enthusiasts who wish to attend this unique event, can be found at the Expo’s General Information page.

Congratulations are also extended to UW-Madison’s Dairy Judging Team who received top honors in the 90th Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest! See the news release. The team, coached by Ted Halbach and Brian Kelroy, includes: Kelly Sime, Brian Coyne, Chelsea Holschbach, and Ben Sarbacker.

Madison ZineFest (Oct 2)

College Library will play host this Saturday (October 2) to three events in conjunction with the Wisconsin Book Festival.

Check out the annual Madison ZineFest--a day devoted to selling, trading and sharing self-published works of art and literature. The Zine Fest will run from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM in the Open Book Cafe. There will more than 40 exhibitors from across the country with samples of their zines. For more information, see the "About" page.

At 12:30, graphic novelist Barbara Slate will present the "Barbara Slate Workshop for Teens: You Can Do a Graphic Novel!" To register for the workshop, click here.

At 3:00 PM, she will meet with teachers to discuss how to incorporate graphic novels into the classroom curriculum.

Friends Book Sale (Sept 29-Oct 2)

In conjunction with the Wisconsin Book Festival, the Friends of UW-Madison Libraries will host a used book sale, September 29 - October 2, in Room 116 of Memorial Library.

A preview sale, with $5.00 admission, will be held from 5:00 until 9:00 PM, Wednesday, September 29. The regular sale, which is open to all at no charge, will be held from 10:30 AM until 7:00 PM on Thursday and Friday, September 30 - October 1.

On Saturday, October 2 (10:30 AM – 2:00 PM), you can bring a bag and fill it for $3.00.

For more information on the sales, including how to donate books or volunteer for the spring book sale, please call 608-265-2505, e-mail the Friends, or visit the Friends book sale page.

Wisconsin Book Festival (Sept 29-Oct 3)

Need an opportunity to feed the mind and to stir the soul? If so, consider taking a break to sample the bountiful harvest of author presentations and book discussion forums that comprise the annual, fall Wisconsin Book Festival.

The theme for the book festival this year is that of "beliefs" and what that may connote for writers and their readers--as they step outside their comfort zones to examine a world of ideas, to articulate and to share what they hold dear, and to honor and to appreciate the other--be it a place, an experience, or a point-of-view.

Featured speakers include: Deborah Blum, Fabu, Lauren Groff, Michele Norris, Mukoma wa Ngugi, Gary Shteyngart, Monique Truong, among many others.

See the full list of presenters.

View the schedule of events.

The Friends of UW-Madison Libraries is among the festival sponsors.