Library resources for energy-smart decisions
MGE donations to area public libraries increase the pool of circulating materials and tools to help you use energy efficiently, lower your utility bill and reduce your impact on the environment. Use library computers to access MGE Web site energy tools and tips. Begun in 1994, MGE's library partnership continues to evolve to meet your needs.

Circulating books, videos, CDs, DVDs

Inform your energy decisions with up-to-date books, videos, CDs and DVDs available at area libraries. MGE funds library collections of energy and environmental titles to give you more choices. A wide selection of titles is available for adults and children of all ages. For details about MGE's support and a sample list of titles, see Public library partnership [PDF - 1.5 MB]

Need a library card? Know how to search for items electronically in your library system’s shared online catalog? Check with your local public library! See our map for links to area library contact information and Web sites, and/or connect to your system's online catalog.

Sustainable Resources Special Collection Sustaining Our World Our Community Ourselves 2006

This popular MGE-funded collection has been developed through a partnership among Madison Public Library, MGE and Sustain Dane. Adult and children’s books, videos and DVDs cover such topics as:

• Sustainable Building, Households & Gardens
• Alternative Energy & Technology
• Sustainable Communities, Food & Agriculture
• Green Business & Economics

Reserve your selections online through Madison Public Library’s up-to-date electronic booklist.

For a copy of the latest (2006) bibliography, check with the library, Sustain Dane or MGE, or download this PDF version [PDF - 282 KB].

Check out a portable energy meter!

Borrow a portable energy meter, just like you would a book, to gain appliance energy insights and help make your equipment decisions. MGE has donated many of these popular meters to area libraries.

Find and/or reserve a meter online by searching on “Portable Energy Meter” in your library system's online catalog. In the South Central Library System, you can also click on “Watts Up?” or “Portable Energy Meter” at the bottom of Madison Public Library’s electronic booklist, connecting with LINKcat.


For more information: Portable Energy Meter

Programs for classroom and community

Enhance learning through MGE-supported energy programs for libraries, schools and community groups. One example is MaGicEnergy, the fun and educational 30-minute energy/environmental stage show for elementary and middle school students. For more details, please visit Partnership with Schools.

Library resources:
Give us your feedback!

Help MGE support your local public library. Tell us what energy information resources and tools are most useful to you. E-mail us at libraryservices@mge.com.

Public libraries serving MGE customers
Please click on a city to visit the library Web site. (If there is no Web site for the library, contact information will show.)

Dane County Library Service – a coordinating agency for all public libraries in the county, with bookmobile service in selected areas.

Online catalogs
South Central Library System - Enter your Search criteria.
Southwest Wisconsin Library System - Click on your library on the map.
Winding Rivers Library System - Click the WRLSWEB catalog button.

“There is not such a cradle of democracy on this earth as the Free Public Library… where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.”
Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919)