More About the Planning Committee

Abbie Loomis

LOEX Co-Chair
Library & Information Literacy Instruction Program

I've called Madison home since 1988 which I guess makes me a Madisonian--even though I still can get confused with the one-way streets around the Capitol! Here are some of my favorite Madison things to do on a free afternoon. I'd start with a trip to Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Their spring plantings, including some amazing tulip beds, should be going strong by conference time and the Thai Pavillion on the Gardens' grounds is a wonderous sight, especially at sunset. If it's raining, you can always count on some unusual blooms in the Conservatory. Then I'd head back to State Street for coffee and book browsing at Room of One's Own which has a great selection of CD's by women artists, as well as a wide range of books by and about women. I always stop in Little Luxuries which has lovely time-to-spoil-yourself baubles that would be great for those of you who need to take home gifts after a conference. Another favorite store for me is Shakti which has (among other things) all kinds of interesting jewelry, books, and statues related to ancient goddess religions. I like to wrap up my free afternoons having a quiet glass of wine with a good friend at the Edgewater Hotel's bar. The bar is right over Lake Mendota and offers spectacular sunset views. A favorite stop for dinner is Himal Chuli--lots of good vegetarian dishes and the folks who run this Nepalese restaurant are very kind and welcoming.

Carrie Kruse

LOEX Co-Chair
College Library

A resident of Madison since 1978, it's been fun to see the changes over the years on State St. I have a special fondness for stores that have been around since my high school days: Jack's Shoes, Puzzlebox, Sacred Feather. I remain loyal to Steep & Brew, a local coffee/tea shop where I used to work before discovering library school. As a vegetarian, I highly recommend Chautara on State St. (especially their Tofu Secuwa). Another favorite is Bandung, an Indonesian restaurant in the nearby Gateway shops at the edge of Willy St., where they make their own tempeh. If you get some free time while you're in Madison, just step outside of Monona Terrace and head down the lakeshore path toward Olin Park. The view of the city from there is fantastic. Definitely walkable, but you can also consider renting rollerblades or bicycles from the Machinery Row bike shop just east of Monona Terrace.

Diana Wheeler

Kurt F. Wendt Library

Among my favorite Madison activities are having a beer on the Memorial Union Terrace on a sunny late-afternoon, walking along the Lakeshore Path, and enjoying all of the different lilac varieties in the Arboretum during the Spring bloom. For a rare, expensive, dining treat, the capitol square's L'Etoile is my choice. Our family's regular restaurant on State St. is Chautara, where almost everything is tasty with a Bass Ale. With my two yr. old I shop for thoughtfully selected books and toys at Canterbury Book Sellers and the Children's Museum shop. Other favorites include the Community Pharmacy, the Soap Opera, the SERRV International shop, and Tellus Mater gifts. Gardeners who wander (by cab) further afield to Monroe Street, will dig the delightful Seed Saver's Exchange store.

Eliot Finkelstein

College Library

Having lived in New York City for two years, I think I became spoiled by the variety of bookstores, restaurants, and record stores there. Happily, Madison provides similar establishments amid much fresher air. On a nice weekend morning, I like walking to Michelangelo's coffee shop on State Street or to Ancora Cafe on King Street before heading to the Monona Terrace rooftop to read, relax and enjoy the view of Lake Monona. Good restaurants abound throughout the downtown area, but a longtime favorite is Chautara. Go there for lunch or dinner-- just about anything you order will be fine. And try for a table on the second floor overlooking State Street. If you're up for Italian, you can't beat the great lasagna (heavy and filling, but isn't that how lasagna should be?) at Gino's. The Exclusive Company is the place for music, and if you need a gift for someone (yourself included, of course), check out the Madison Art Center gallery shop.

Helene Androski

Memorial Library

Besides haunting the downtown bookstores, my favorite Madison activities are shopping for fresh produce at the Farmers' Market, enjoying the very pleasant ambience and wonderful menu at the Cafe Continental (the mushroom soup and flash-fried spinach are not to be missed), sipping a drink at the Edgewater Hotel cocktail lounge overlooking Lake Mendota, and riding my bicycle through the Arboretum (especially the downhill part).

Jaquelina Alvarez

College Library

Madison offers something for everybody's taste and enjoyment. Having an early coffee, or a late one, at Michelangelo's on State St. or taking a walk through the Lakeshore Path is great, but there is nothing like looking at the sunset at the Union Terrace with a cold beer or an ice cream. A fun alternative for a beautiful spring day is to stroll down the picturesque Monroe Street. Breakfast at Mickie's Dairy Bar is a tradition in Madison. Then head up the block for upscale locally-owned boutiques, restaurants, galleries, antiques and many other specialty shops. Orange Tree Imports is a must-see store! The neighborhood is also well known for its green spaces. You can get something for lunch at Relish Deli and Market (out-of-the-ordinary sandwiches and salads) and head for a picnic at Vilas Park or Henry Vilas Zoo or if you REALLY feel like walking the UW-Arboretum. Vilas Park and the zoo are only four blocks south of Monroe St. If you just want to stay close to downtown, I highly recommend B-Side for music, Rainbow for books and Buraka for a great exotic lunch.

Kerry Gleason

Library & Information Literacy Instruction Program

As a relatively new resident of Madison, I've had to slowly make the city my own. But the good thing about Madison is that there is plenty to chose from! Some places that I tend to frequent are The Angelic Brewing Company for a casual place to eat and drink with friends or Casa De Lara Mexican restaurant on State St. for great food and even better margaritas. My favorite place, however, is the Orpheum Grand Lobby Restaurant & Lounge. For either Sunday brunch or the best 2 for 1 Cosmopolitans on Wednesday nights, you can't do any better than this historical theater's lounge. If it is a nice night take your Cosmos outside and watch the people of Madison go by. You may even see Shirley Manson of Garbage sipping her own Cosmo. I have!

Patricia Herrling

Steenbock Library

Having lived in Madison most of my life it is very difficult to pick out just a few favorites about Madison. It is a great city! That being said, here is a example of a perfect spring day. Start by hitting the Ground Zero coffee shop at 744 Williamson St. bright and early in the morning (they open at 6:30am). This is a great place to sit back and let the coffee get your system going for the day while you watch the interesting flow of people walk past. Willy Street is known for interesting people:-) Then take the rest of your coffee and muffin and head down Willy Street to about the 900 block. Stop at the neighborhood park on the left side of the street. This is one of those hidden treasures of which Madison has so many. You walk into a secluded and shady retreat, with spring flowers and nice benches next to the little flowing stream in the park. Sit here and you hardly know you are in the heart of the city. What a great place to get centered for the day. Ready for something more exciting? Head back up Willy St. towards the Capitol via Martin Luther King Blvd. When you hit the Square, circle around to State St. and feel free to wander and peek in the store windows. This street is packed with unique gift shops and stores, as well as offering a taste of street musicians, jugglers, and entertainers of all varieties. One of my favorite stores is Shakti gift and bookstore, as well as the Peacock for people who like unusual clothes and jewelry. Take a break at the corner of State and W. Gorham at Canterbury Bookstore for some serendipitous browsing. I could spend quite a few hours sitting in the comfy chairs here. However, it is a beautiful spring day so let's take advantage of the weather. After all this we need to round off the day at the Memorial Union, watching the sailboats go slowly by as the sun sets on Lake Mendota and we sit on the outdoor terrace munching on our brats and taste testing our Wisconsin beer and wine.

Steve Frye

Memorial Library

What I love most about Madison is walking. Starting from the Monona Terrace, go past the Farmers' Market (Saturday), through the State Capitol building and continue down State Street towards the UW-Madison Student Union. After enjoying the view and some liquid refreshments or ice cream, go west along the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path towards Picnic Point. When you come to the boathouse, turn left and you'll come to the Allen Centennial Gardens. Instead of returning to the Student Union by way of the Lakeshore Path, take Observatory Drive for a breath-taking view of Lake Mendota.