Youth Services

Dinosaurs reading and using laptops in a library with "Unearth a Story" text above. Copyright CSLP. Artwork by Tom Bonson.

Summer Library Program (SLP)

Join us this summer at your local library! We are celebrating the “Unearth a Story” theme through our activity book, summer performances, craft activities, book displays and more! Our summer programming has something for all ages, but it is especially geared towards school-age children, tweens and teens.

Youth Events

Events

Today

  • A green dinosaur head above the text "UNEARTH A STORY" with books on a shelf below.

    Summer Library Program (SLP)

    All MCPL Locations Marathon County, WI, United States +9 more

    We are celebrating the “Unearth a Story” theme through our activity book, summer performances, craft activities, book displays and more! Our summer programming has something for all ages, but it is especially geared towards school-age children, tweens and teens. 

  • white background with four paint brushes painting blue patterns

    All MCPL Locations: Illustration Contest

    All MCPL Locations Marathon County, WI, United States

    Design a cover, illustrate a scene, or create a piece of art inspired by our summer library theme, “Unearthing a Story."

  • young adult writing in notebook

    All MCPL Locations: Summer Community Journal

    All MCPL Locations Marathon County, WI, United States

    Pick up a journal page to write about a summer adventure! These entries will be combined to make a unique community journal.

  • The U.S. Constitution's "We the People," the American flag, and Statue of Liberty.

    Spencer: USA Time Travelers

    America 250
    Marathon County Public Library—Spencer Branch 105 South Park Street, Spencer, WI, United States

    Go back in time to the founding of America and solve clues about our nation’s history to get back to present day.

  • image of grass and colorful dinosaur eggs

    Stratford: Dino Days of Summer

    Marathon County Public Library—Stratford Branch 213201 Scholar Street, Stratford, WI, United States

    Find hidden dinosaur eggs around the library to get matched with a mini dinosaur, create its habitat, and pick up our SLP activity book!

  • poster of dinosaur peaking through bookshelves and text that reads "Unearth a Story" next to images of children with flower pots and a rabbit

    Wausau: Summer Kickoff Party

    Featured
    Marathon County Public Library—Wausau Headquarters 300 First Street, Wausau, WI, United States

    6/8/26: LOCATION UPDATE! Due to the potential for rain throughout the morning, our Summer Kickoff Party will be held inside at MCPL-Wausau! Don't worry, our friends from Whitehaven Petting Zoo are still joining us! Celebrate the start of our summer library program with a petting zoo, a make-and-take flower planting station, and more!

  • Four egg carton cups showing geode-like vibrant blue and pink interiors on a wooden table, with bookshelves in the background.

    Rothschild: Egg Carton Geodes

    Egg Carton Geodes
    Marathon County Public Library—Rothschild Branch 211 Grand Avenue, Rothschild, United States

    Craft your own geode using an egg carton cup, glue, and dyed Epsom salt.

  • A vintage picture of a crowd of people near a large docked passenger ship.

    Wausau: Genealogy Meetup

    Genealogy
    Marathon County Public Library—Wausau Headquarters 300 First Street, Wausau, WI, United States

    Join us for a special genealogy meetup as we are joined by the Register of Deeds!

  • child reading a book on parent's lap

    Hatley: Family Story Time

    Family Story Time
    Marathon County Public Library—Hatley Branch 435 Curtis Avenue, Hatley, WI, United States

    Children and their caregivers are invited for a mix of stories, songs, and activities!

  • A classic library room with wooden bookshelves, a ladder, armchair, and cityscape view through a large window.

    Mosinee: Escape the Library

    Escape Room
    Marathon County Public Library—Mosinee Branch 123 Main Street, Mosinee, WI, United States

    Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test at our escape rooms!

  • two hand-crafted clay pendants, one yellow with a shell design and one blue with a dinosaur footprint design.

    Mosinee: Clay Fossil Necklaces

    Fossil Necklace
    Marathon County Public Library—Mosinee Branch 123 Main Street, Mosinee, WI, United States

    Use air-dry clay, stencils, paint, and more to create a one-of-a-kind fossil necklace!

Featured youth event

Featured

Events

Today

  • poster of dinosaur peaking through bookshelves and text that reads "Unearth a Story" next to images of children with flower pots and a rabbit

    Wausau: Summer Kickoff Party

    Featured
    Marathon County Public Library—Wausau Headquarters 300 First Street, Wausau, WI, United States

    6/8/26: LOCATION UPDATE! Due to the potential for rain throughout the morning, our Summer Kickoff Party will be held inside at MCPL-Wausau! Don't worry, our friends from Whitehaven Petting Zoo are still joining us! Celebrate the start of our summer library program with a petting zoo, a make-and-take flower planting station, and more!

Young Adult Services

Young Adult Services

Visit your local MCPL for teen / young adult books, video games, graphic novels / manga, magazines, and other materials, plus special events—arts & crafts, movie nights, writing activities, reading challenges and more!

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

We’re challenging parents to read more books with their children! This program introduces children to a wide range of literature, encourages families to spend quality time together and promotes pre-literacy so children enter school ready to read, listen and learn.

100 Books Before Graduation

100 Books Before Graduation

Teens are invited to participate in our “100 Books Before Graduation” challenge! This challenge encourages students to read widely before adulthood. Rewards are earned at the 25, 50, 75 and 100 book milestones.

Group Visits

Group Visits

We regularly welcome groups of students, community organizations, and others! To help us plan for your visit, please complete a “Group Visit Form.”

Early Literacy Center (ELC)

The Early Literacy Center (ELC) at MCPL Wausau is an enclosed area of the children’s department specially designed for young children and their caregivers!

Lactation Pod (Mamava)

Lactation Pod (Mamava)

Breastfeeding, pumping or nursing parents seeking comfort and privacy may use the Mamava lactation pod at MCPL Wausau! Free to use, with outlets for pumping. Access via the Mamava app or a code from library staff.

Tumblebooks

Tumblebooks

This online collection offers hundreds of animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, graphic novels, and educational games for kids.

LENA Start Central Wisconsin

LENA Start Central Wisconsin

Parents are invited to join these free classes designed to support and strengthen early language development in children ages 0–54 months!