Exciting Changes at the FMPL Bookstore at Central Library!

Tammy Albrecht
3 days ago
2 min read

Have you visited the Friends of the Madison Public Library (FMPL) Bookstore lately? If not, it’s time to rediscover one of downtown Madison’s best-kept secrets. Located on the first floor of the Central Library, our shop has undergone some exciting transformations to help you find your next favorite read more easily than ever.

Whether you are a collector of rare finds or just looking for a $1 paperback for your commute, there is something new waiting for you on the shelves.

More to Explore: The New Outer Perimeter

We’ve literally outgrown our walls! To make browsing more comfortable and to showcase our growing inventory, we have expanded our collection to the outside perimeter of the Bookstore.

When you walk by, you’ll now find:

Expanded Children & Young Adult Sections: Now located on the outer walls for easy access for families and teens.
World Language Cart: A dedicated space for children’s books in various languages.
Specialty Carts: We’ve added two general sales carts, an audiobook cart, and three special collections carts. These features rotate regularly based on the unique donations we receive—you might find anything from Gay Fiction and Anime to Political and Medical Memoirs.
The Treasure Chest: Looking for something truly unique? Check out our Treasures section, featuring vintage, rare, and valuable books for the discerning collector.

Refreshed Look & Feel

Step inside the shop to find a curated experience designed for every type of reader. We have reorganized our interior to include:

New Releases & Best Sellers: Get the "buzziest" titles at a fraction of the cost.
Expanded Fiction: We’ve added dedicated sections for Romance and Large Print, alongside our extensive Literature collection.
Curated Themes: Every month, we feature a Theme of the Month and a spotlight on specific Authors of the Month, so there is always something fresh to discover.

Affordable Reading with a Purpose

The best part of shopping with the FMPL? All proceeds support the Madison Public Library. Every book you buy helps fund the programs, resources, and community services that make our library system so vital.

Pricing: Most items (Books, DVDs, CDs, and Audiobooks) are priced at $2.00 or less.
Payment: We accept cash and checks. Credit cards are accepted for purchases of $5.00 or more.
Hours: We are staffed by our wonderful team of volunteers and are open during regular library hours.

Stay Connected

Because our special collections and "Treasure" items change daily, make sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates on new arrivals and flash sales.

Next time you’re at Central, grab a tote bag and come browse the store. Your new favorite book is waiting for you!