March 28, 2020

This week, the Marathon County Public Library did something that it hasn't done before - offered an entire week of story times all online! A roster of our staff members took turns singing songs and reading stories each morning, and will continue doing so for the next several weeks as all MCPL locations continue to be closed. If you or your family missed these story times, which are typically broadcast live on our Facebook page, we've collected them all for you here. You can also hop over to our YouTube channel to watch these story times and many other videos that we've posted! Monday - Story Time with Taylor Tuesday - Story Time with Chad Wednesday -...

Children Story Times

March 27, 2020

First, I feel fortunate as a library employee that I’m able to continue working during a pandemic – albeit with adjustments big and small – while friends, family and millions of others across the world are unable to work or face worse predicaments. Regardless of what you’re doing or not doing, we’re all going through a very strange and stressful time at the moment, and so it’s a natural response that we turn to movies, books, music and other pop culture pursuits; not only because many of us find ourselves with more time, but also for comfort, education and information, and entertainment. With that, in a mostly random order, here is a list of things I’ve enjoyed for various reasons. Links included if it’s...

Library Staff Reading Recommendations

March 27, 2020

This week, the Marathon County Public Library was going to celebrate Spring Break with a variety of activities and craft events. Though all of our planned events were canceled due to MCPL's temporary closure, we're still posting some of the crafts we DID have planned so that parents and kids can do them together at home! Today's craft comes from an event we originally had scheduled for March 27 at MCPL Wausau, where kids could make their own popsicle stick puzzles. This craft requires simple supplies found in most homes and can be adapted as needed. Just follow the steps below and, before you know it, you'll be piecing together a puzzle of your own creation! 1. Line up six popsicle sticks, craft sticks or...

Children

March 26, 2020

Though the Marathon County Public Library is temporarily closed due to concerns over COVID-19, there is a bit of good news to share - Ancestry.com: Library Edition will be available to access from home now through the month of April (and possibly longer!)  Ancestry.com: Library Edition can generally only be accessed from within one of the nine MCPL locations, but due to the current pandemic, our subscription has been extended to include home access as well! So, if you're interested in learning more about your family and your ancestors during your time at home, we have a couple of places to start.  First, Ancestry.com contains a wealth of documents that will (hopefully) help fill in the gaps as you...

Genealogy Online Resources Technology

March 23, 2020

Today was supposed to be the start of Spring Break at the Marathon County Public Library, with a variety of activities and craft events offered throughout the week. While that week has now been canceled due to MCPL's temporary closure, we're still going to post some of the crafts we DID have planned so that parents and kids can do them together at home! Today's craft comes from an event we originally had scheduled for March 23 at MCPL Wausau, where kids could make their own homemade flutes. This craft requires simple supplies found in most homes and can be adapted as needed. Just follow the steps below and your family will be making music in no time! 1. Gather five bubble straws (long straws that are bigger...

Children

March 21, 2020

Stuck at home without books? Looking for something to listen to while you do other things? Then consider the following Harry Potter-like fantasy titles, which will help you escape home quarantining and take you to a far away land! All of these titles are available for checkout on the free Overdrive and Libby apps, which can be found in most app stores on your tablet, smartphone or computer. All you need is your Marathon County Public Library card and PIN number (usually set as the last four digits of your phone number) to log in.  Check back throughout our closure for new book lists and recommendations for different genres that are available via Overdrive and Libby. And if you have any recommendations of...

Books E-books Reading Recommendations

March 19, 2020

With most families staying at home these days in order to help stop the spread COVID-19, or to avoid catching the disease, parents are having to come up with different ways to engage, entertain, and teach their children. Luckily, one of the easiest ways to get your child's attention is with your own voice and the power of music! You probably already instinctively use music with your children. Whether it's a lullaby to relax them to sleep, a rise-and-shine song in the morning, or even a silly, made-up song about using the potty, most of us use music and song throughout the day to engage with our children. This is one of those parenting instincts that packs an intellectual punch because research has proven that...

Children Story Times

March 16, 2020

THIS ARTICLE WAS LAST UPDATED ON 3/25/20 Due to the continued threat of COVID-19 (commonly known as coronavirus), and in compliance with Governor Tony Evers' statewide "Safer at Home" order that was announced on March 24, all nine Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) locations will remain closed through April 26, 2020. This includes locations in Wausau, Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford. All locations are tentatively set to reopen on Monday, April 27, 2020. However, the library’s reopening date is subject to change as developments occur. Due to the closure, all in-person library programs and ...

Library Libraries Community

March 12, 2020

Wisconsin's Digital Library (WDL) is always working to improve your digital library experience, and this occasionally includes adding or changing features. Starting in March, when a digital library hold becomes available for you, you can borrow it immediately (within three days) or have it delivered later.  The "deliver later" option keeps you at the front of the wait list but passes that copy of the title to the next person in line. This feature gives you more control over your holds, so you can borrow and read titles when it's most convenient for you.  Also, to make the "deliver later" option possible, the "auto-checkout" option for holds has been removed.  If you need...

E-books Wisconsin's Digital Library OverDrive Online Resources

March 9, 2020

Curious about what your friends and neighbors might be reading? Or which books are trending nationally? Check out the following books from the New York Times Best Sellers list! Have you read any of these books already? Let us know what you thought in the "Comments" section below! Happy reading! Please note: These are popular items that may not be immediately available. It is likely you will need to use the "Request" option in the Library Catalog (V-Cat) to add yourself to the waiting list. Do not be discouraged by long waiting lists for books; MCPL usually has enough copies in circulation to keep wait times reasonable.  Also: All of the following books are...

Reading Recommendations Books