Spring 2026 Updates to Some Library Services and Hours
This page will be updated on a regular basis as more information becomes available.
Last updated on 4/16/2026.
The Libraries remain a vital partner to students, faculty, and staff on campus. Services, collections, software, collaborative spaces, and study spaces are available to the entire UW-Madison community. Use the catalog on the Libraries homepage to begin your next search or start a chat with a librarian to get your questions answered.
Why are the Libraries changing some services and hours?
In 2025, UW-Madison implemented a university-wide budget reduction across campus. The Libraries made the difficult decision to accelerate the closure of smaller libraries and initiated shifts in services and hours. Collections impacted by closures are being relocated in a phased manner and will remain accessible through the Library catalog.
Key updates
Shifts in Collections and Circulation at the Business Library
Beginning in May 2026, the Business Library in the Wisconsin School of Business will have some collections moved out of the space. The Business Library Learning Commons will remain under the operations of the Wisconsin School of Business and central Libraries will continue to support subject librarians who are available for assistance for students, faculty, and staff.
The webpage about changes in collections for the Business Library provides the most updated information related to collections and service changes at the Business Library.
Geology & Geophysics Library
The Geology Library will close for public use over the summer after May 15, 2026. The space will reopen for the fall semester under the administration of the Department of Geoscience.
The web page about Geology Library collection relocations provides significant details to help answer questions.
Social Work Library
The Social Work Library will be open and functioning as usual through the summer session. The library will close for public use on August 14, 2026. Beyond the facilities transition, there will continue to be a dedicated librarian providing services to the School of Social Work.
AMP Library
AMP Library closed to the public last summer on August 22, 2025. The web page about the AMP Library closure updates continues to have significant details to help answer questions.
Additional library changes and additions outside of central libraries administration
Departmental library closures that we are aware of at this time include the Chicanx/e and Latinx/e Studies Program Library (closing May 8, 2026) and the Journalism Reading Room (closing end of May 2026). The Limnology Library made changes at the end of the fall semester, moving to a non-circulating collection with no dedicated staffing in the library. Librarian services for the limnology area are still being provided by the Agriculture, Geoscience, and Environmental Sciences Team.
The Rebecca M. Blank Student Commons, which opened in Fall of 2025, provides additional library support, including circulation, to campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Print materials in the locations affected by closures will be moved to other existing library locations, including Steenbock Library, Memorial Library, and the Verona Shelving Facility. Current shelving storage capacity, as well as subject matter relevance, will guide where materials will be moved.
Usage data as well as recommendations from the 2017 Libraries Facilities Master Plan informed the Libraries’ decisions on closures. While circulation data is only one measure, there is an understanding and appreciation of the importance of patrons discovering books through browsing. The Libraries are committed to working closely with departments to ensure highly used materials are retained on open shelving and are accessible. Delivery will be available for materials shelved off campus.
Financial support to the Library Impact Fund ensures the Libraries remain a leader in cultivating resources for the university and beyond. To support the Libraries collections, please consider financial support to the Libraries’ Fund for Books. For any additional questions about gifts, please contact Marianne Spoon.
Contact the Office of the Dean
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