Community Outreach

Welcome

As a public university and in keeping with its commitment to public service, UW-Madison Libraries welcome the larger community of researchers and the general public to visit. Please also review our Libraries’ commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

This Community Outreach page describes our engagement with library users. Please scroll to review our Programs and Partners and additional Services and Spaces.

Library Guests and Wisconsin Residents

Visitor Information, Accessibility and Parking
Steenbock Library (Steenbock building) & Disability Services | UW-Madison Libraries | Campus and Visitor Relations (Plan Your Visit)

Online Access, On-Site
Public Workstations | Wireless UWNet, Affiliate & Guest Access

Photocopying, Printing & Scanning
BookScan stations are located on the 2nd floor near entrance and the 1st floor Annex. Flatbed or document scanner scans to various file formats. Files may be sent via email or saved to USB.

Borrowing Privileges 

Annual Fee Card (Use at any campus library)
Wisconsin residents may obtain a borrowing card by providing two current forms of identification showing Wisconsin residency (one must have a photo).

Courtesy Card (Use at any campus library)
Some library users may qualify to obtain a Courtesy Card with proof of affiliation and photo ID.

Patrons apply for fee and courtesy cards using the online application form.
(Once processed and notified, patrons can collect their cards from the Memorial Library Circulation Desk).

Document Delivery Services 

Requests for materials from campus library collections can be made through libraries with which one is affiliated including other college or university libraries, corporate libraries or public libraries. Alternatively, requests can be made using fee-based document delivery services.

Fee-Based Services: Wisconsin TechSearch | Ebling Library Services (for non-affiliates)

Alumni Services
Services to Alumni (UW-Madison Libraries) | Wisconsin Alumni Association (member benefits page)

BadgerLink (Wisconsin’s Online Library)
Licensed databases for Wisconsin residents–a service of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning. 

In addition to BadgerLink, there is a growing body of quality online resources available on the open-Web that may serve the information and research needs of community patrons.

Many states provide similar online services to their residents. Link to our neighboring states’ library services: Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan, and more (beyond the upper Midwest).

Email Reference Service
AskSteenbock/AskSEL

Patent and Trademark Services
Research Guide | Consultations

Additional Services and Spaces

Rooms to Reserve

Do you need a space in order to give a presentation, host a workshop, or to meet with your group? Speak with a Steenbock librarian in order to reserve a meeting space. Please note that due to the nature of our facility, priority for use of space is accorded to the libraries and to those affiliated with the university.

Exhibit Spaces

Would you like to display your work at the library or develop a display in cooperation with library staff? The library affords several display spaces, including locking glass cabinets, on our main, entrance level. Please contact our staff for additional information.

Reflection Space

Among the spaces available to all who visit our building is one designated for reflection–a space in which one can take a moment for private retreat and contemplation. Our Reflection Space can be found on the third floor, along the windows above our front entrance.

Restroom Facilities

Restroom facilities can be found on each floor of the library.  A gender-neutral restroom, located on the entrance level to the library, has also been designed for accessibility.

Programs and Partners

Steenbock librarians partner with campus and community users on events, exhibits and programs that speak to library initiatives, collections and services in keeping with our partners’ needs and with the outreach mission of the University.

A few of our partners:

Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement and Wisconsin WelcomeDogs on Call | Friends of the Libraries | Science Alliance, UW-Madison |  University of Wisconsin-Extension

Some of the events we attend:

Expanding Your Horizons | Housing Resource Fair | Science Expeditions | UW-Madison Family Gardening Day | Wisconsin Science Festival

Need a library representative to attend your event or program?  Contact us to collaborate.  Librarian Karen Dunn is available to consult with you to arrange date, time and venue.