MADISON — More than 100 people gathered Sept. 25 to open the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, Madison’s first new library branch in 26 years and a new hub for books, classes and community events on the Northeast Side. The library, at 1814 Parkside Drive, is Madison’s first built within a city park. Its location connects library services with Reindahl Park’s splash pad, athletic fields and playground. The site is also near East Washington Avenue and a bus rapid transit stop. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said the center responds to a longstanding shortage of places to meet and access services in the area. She described the project as a first step toward connecting Northeast Side residents with city agencies and nonprofit organizations. The effort took shape over several generations of local leadership. Former Alder Joe Clausius, former state Rep. Samba Baldeh, former Alder Sabrina Madison and current Alder Julia Matthews were among those who advanced the idea. Rhodes-Conway recalled Baldeh taking her to community meetings that sometimes had to be held in hotels for lack of a suitable neighborhood gathering place. Madison said a constituent’s warning that the project should not take another 50 years stayed with her as she worked to move it forward. The building cost more than $18 million. The city contributed $10 million in capital funding, the project received a $4.5 million federal grant, and the Madison Public Library Foundation raised $5 million and created an endowment for ongoing support. Inside, the bright facility includes computers, work areas and classrooms, along with a large section focused on children. The building also has a pavilion available for rental events. The nearby playground is planned for an accessibility-focused redesign. The center will host programming from the Literacy Network, a nonprofit based on South Park Street. The organization said some residents have found the trip across town to its classes too difficult; the new location gives it space to offer some programs closer to Northeast Side residents. Rob Franklin, a local hip-hop artist and longtime library instructor, said he was excited by both the location and the possibilities the new building offers. Jasmine Banks, a neighborhood resident who brings her granddaughter to the park, said the combination of nature and literacy makes the setting especially valuable for children. Banks also pointed to small dots on the windows, which she said are intended to reduce bird collisions. For her, the library’s place in the park is part of its broader appeal: families can use the playground and splash pad, then come inside to read and learn.