The Dane County Library Service is the primary public library for residents of all Dane County towns, the villages of Blue Mounds, Brooklyn, Cottage Grove, Dane, Maple Bluff, Rockdale, Shorewood Hills, and the City of Fitchburg. Bookmobile service is provided in those communities which are distant from existing public libraries.

The Dane County Library Service also facilitates delivery service among all public libraries, and provides outreach services to any qualified resident outside the city of Madison.

The County Library Service was created in 1966 in order to assure legal access to public library services for every resident of Dane County. A department of Dane County, it is governed by a nine member citizen board appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Board of Supervisors.