The MCPL Blog

Follow our blog for the latest library news, reading suggestions, research tips and more!

The content of our blog is also shared on our social media channels, via our e-newsletter and in our print newsletter.

MCPL Strategic Plan

MCPL Strategic Plan

What is Strategic Planning? Dream Big with MCPL, Marathon County Public Library's strategic planning process, kicked off in September. Strategic planning is dedicated time to review data and information about the library and, alongside the community, to explore...

read more
Central Wisconsin Book Festival 2023

Central Wisconsin Book Festival 2023

The 7th annual Central Wisconsin Book Festival is almost here! Our festival is organized and hosted by the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau, McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids and Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point. A committee of about...

read more
World Kid Lit Month Reads

World Kid Lit Month Reads

September is World Kid Lit Month and MCPL’s collection is bursting with books to encourage global reading. Read on for some recommendations from nearly every continent across the world!Africa Africa, Amazing Africa by Atinuke and Mouni Feddag This colorful book is a...

read more
Book Festival to host Angeline Boulley

Book Festival to host Angeline Boulley

The Central Wisconsin Book Festival (CWBF) is excited to announce that Angeline Boulley—author of “Firekeeper’s Daughter” and the new release “Warrior Girl Unearthed”—will appear via Zoom on the evening of September 28 for a moderated discussion about her novels and...

read more
Two Sentence Story Contest

Two Sentence Story Contest

Marathon County Public Library is pleased to announce the winners of the 2 Sentence Story Contest held this spring. The winning stories were chosen by popular vote during the first week of May, and they’ve been given illustrations by MCPL staff!The winning story in...

read more
Check Out Wisconsin State Parks at Your Library!

Check Out Wisconsin State Parks at Your Library!

UPDATE: As of July 18, 2023, all available passes have been checked out. Thank you to our partners, and all patrons who participated! Planning a trip to a Wisconsin state park or forest this year? The library can help! The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources...

read more
Historic maps added to digitization project!

Historic maps added to digitization project!

New historical content has been added to the Central Wisconsin Digitization Project, including historic plat books! These historic plat books are from approximately 1882, 1895 and 1901. In addition, there is a book created by the Marathon County Highway Department...

read more
Request for Proposals: Strategic Plan & Mission Statement

Request for Proposals: Strategic Plan & Mission Statement

Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) invites consultant proposals to facilitate and coordinate the development of MCPL’s first strategic plan and review the library’s mission statement. MCPL desires a citizen involved process that results in an actionable plan with...

read more
Wi-Fi hotspots now available for checkout!

Wi-Fi hotspots now available for checkout!

The Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) is pleased to announce the start of a new Wi-Fi hotspot lending pilot program at all nine of its locations! Effective immediately (February 2023), two Wi-Fi hotspots are available for checkout at each MCPL location. These...

read more
A Book and a Podcast: The Perfect Pairings

A Book and a Podcast: The Perfect Pairings

When you finish a book, librarians often have recommendations for what to read next. I’m going to take a slightly different approach and recommend several podcasts based on books that I have enjoyed. These programs aren’t all strictly podcasts. Some broadcasters, such...

read more
Youth Media Award Winners Announced!

Youth Media Award Winners Announced!

The Caldecott and Newbery award winners were announced by the American Library Association on Monday, January 30 as part of the annual Youth Media Awards. Prior to the announcement of the winners, Youth Services staff from MCPL Wausau predicted which books they...

read more
MCPL predicts the 2023 Caldecott and Newbery winners!

MCPL predicts the 2023 Caldecott and Newbery winners!

Each year, the Randolph Caldecott Medal is awarded to the most distinguished American picture book for children, and the John Newbery Medal is awarded to the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. MCPL Youth Services staff members chose...

read more
Switch to the Libby app soon!

Switch to the Libby app soon!

If you use the OverDrive app to access Wisconsin’s Digital Library for free e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks, please plan to switch to the Libby app by the end of April 2023.

read more
Website is undergoing maintenance

Website is undergoing maintenance

The MCPL website (mcpl.us) currently is undergoing maintenance.  More MCPL content will be brought online as soon as possible.  We are sorry for the inconvenience. Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) Phone: 715-261-7200 Fax: 715-261-7204 Email: info@mcpl.us 24/7...

read more