March 13, 2015

Check out OverDrive’s Big Library Read, which offers community-wide access to a title during March 17-31, 2015. During this special event, all card holders can simply download “Shakespeare Saved My Life" by Laura Bates from OverDrive. Since OverDrive is offering simultaneous use for this title, the title is available right away, with no waiting on hold for the next copy. The title expires at the end of the lending period for each user, not the end of the program. Synopsis: “Shakespeare professor and prison volunteer Laura Bates thought she had seen it all. That is, until she decided to teach Shakespeare in a place the bard had never been before — supermax solitary confinement. In this unwelcoming place,...

Wisconsin's Digital Library Reading Recommendations Technology

February 3, 2015

Do you download e-books or digital audiobooks? If so, please consider taking a short survey from the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) about the digital collections. The WPLC was formed in 2001, and its main service is the Wisconsin Digital Library. This digital catalog is utilized by Marathon County Public Library and other Wisconsin public libraries to offer e-books and digital audio books to patrons. This short survey will help WPLC develop its digital collections so it is as relevant as possible to library patrons. Access the survey here. Curious about borrowing e-books or any other digital materials from the library? Visit our Wisconsin Digital Library page...

Wisconsin's Digital Library Technology E-books

January 22, 2015

Good news for anyone who needs to apply for a passport! At our MCPL Wausau location, we now offer walk-in passport application services on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To ensure that we have enough time to assist you, please arrive by 3:30 p.m. Review some common questions and learn how to avoid application mistakes and delays here. We will still offer appointments every other Saturday, (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and on the first Tuesday and third Wednesday (3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) of each month. Call 715-261-7200 to make an appointment, or if you have any passport-related questions.  

Passports Wisconsin

January 4, 2015

Season 5 of Downton Abbey is here, and so is our 2015 Downton Abbey reading list! All of these titles are available in the V-cat catalog.  Contact us with any questions, or for help locating these titles. “I want to read more about Highclere castle, the real castle where they film Downton Abbey.” Try: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle  by Fiona Carnarvon “Anna and Bates are my two favorite characters! I want to read about life downstairs!” Try: Upstairs & Downstairs: An Illustrated Guide to the Real World of Downton Abbey by Sarah Warwick   “Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid’s Memoir That Inspired “Upstairs, Downstairs” and...

Reading Recommendations Books

November 21, 2014

Many of our locations are taking a break from regular story times over the winter holidays. Here is a list of story time breaks for all MCPL locations. For further questions, feel free to contact us. MCPL Wausau: No weekly story time from December 21, 2014-January 4, 2015. Play and Learn story time, which is organized by the Family Resource Center, will still occur on Fridays except on November 28 & December 26, 2014. MCPL Rothschild: Thursday story times will start at 2:30 p.m. effective December 4, 2014. MCPL Marathon: No weekly story time from December 19, 2014-January 7, 2015. MCPL Mosinee: No changes. MCPL Edgar: No weekly story time from December 19, 2014-January 7, 2015....

Children Story Times Books

October 31, 2014

This year, we asked you to create a scary story using just six words. We received a ton of creative and truly terrifying entries, which made judging difficult. Here are the winning entries. Library staff will contact the winners to make arrangements for picking up their prize. 5. “I am watching you right now” – Ann Seliger 4. “Dismembered demon wanders through macabre masquerade” – Shereen Siewert 3. “Finally alone, then the floor creaked” – Amber Edwards 2. "It’s Here. Don’t look. Don’t scream" – Kali Kaiser   And the winner..... 1. "And Then the Lights Went Off" – Steve Weinkauf Honorable mentions: “Open shades, pale face staring in” – Miriam Gustafson “Scary, spine-tingling,...

Awards Writing Wisconsin

October 22, 2014

Books Writing Wisconsin

October 6, 2014

Check out OverDrive’s Big Library Read, which offers community-wide access to a YA title during October 13-28, 2014. During this special event, all card holders can simply download “Anatomy of A Misfit" by Andrea Portes from OverDrive. Since OverDrive is offering simultaneous use for this title during October 13-28, the title is available right away, with no waiting on hold for the next copy. The title expires at the end of the lending period for each user, not the end of the program. Synopsis: “Anika is the third most popular girl in her high school–despite feeling she doesn’t fit in with the popular crowd in her small Nebraskan town. To maintain her social status, Anika does whatever Becky Vilhauser (...

E-books Audiobooks Wisconsin's Digital Library

October 3, 2014

Mark your calendars for these two exciting opportunities to meet several Wisconsin authors! On October 7, author Ilsa J. Bick will visit MCPL Wausau at 7:00 p.m. Ilsa J. Bick is an award winning author of YA titles like “Draw The Dark” and her latest, “White Space,” which received accolades from VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) magazine. Bick will read from her latest books, sign copies, and discuss how she became a writer. This event is for teens, but adults are also welcome to this event. For more information on Ilsa Bick, please visit her website. Fans of romance novels and aspiring authors are encouraged to attend our romance writers roundtable on October 16 at 6:00 p.m. Members of the Wisconsin...

Books Writing Wisconsin

September 24, 2014

Is your favorite book a banned book? Every year, the Office of Intellectual Freedom receives hundreds of reports from libraries and schools about challenged books. In September, libraries celebrate the freedom to read and open access to information during Banned Books Week. Here are the most challenged titles of 2013, from BannedBooksWeek.org. The 10 most challenged titles of 2013: Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison  Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie...

Challenged Books Books Libraries

September 12, 2014

Join OverDrive’s national celebration by checking out an eBook from the library, sharing your reading stories, or simply reading your favorite eBook. Read an eBook Day is a celebration of modern storytelling. Want to win a tablet? Share your eReading experience in the comments on OverDrive's Read an eBook Day page, or share on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #eBookDay to enter the contest. New to OverDrive and the world of eBooks? Overdrive has some great getting started guides and information for those new to OverDrive. Visit our Wausau location, call us (715-261-7230), or email ref@mcpl.us with your OverDrive questions. We're here to help you!  

Wisconsin's Digital Library E-books

September 8, 2014

This September, libraries all across the country are reminding parents and children that a library card is the most important school supply, whether you are a child or an adult returning to school after a long absence. Legendary comic book creator Stan Lee is the face of the 2014-2015 national campaign, which includes a social media giveaway of a comic book prize package. Share why you value your library card by using the hashtag #LibraryCardSignUp on Facebook or Twitter, or add a picture to the “My Library Card” Flickr group. The contest ends on September 23. Did you know that if you are over the age of 18, you can apply for a MCPL library card online? We also have paper applications available at all...

Libraries Reading Recommendations Books

August 1, 2014

Help select the next book for October's Big Library Read! In June, Overdrive's global e-book club read "A Pedigree to Die For" by Laurien Berenson. During the Big Library Read, Overdrive offers simultaneous use for a title during the program timeframe, with no waiting on hold for the next copy. The title expires at the end of the lending period for each user, not the end of the program. October's genre is Young Adult, and there are several selections that you can vote for through Friday, August 8. There is no limit on how many times you can vote. Submit your pick here, and get ready for the next Big Read!  

Wisconsin's Digital Library E-books

July 28, 2014

Do you have a few chapters of your first attempt at a novel on your flashdrive or buried in a shoebox in your closet? With the demands of work, family, or school, it might seem impossible to start writing, not to mention finish writing a novel. However, authors Kourtney Heintz and B.C. Kowalski proved that it can be done, and they will share their experiences with you during these special events at the Marathon County Public Library. This Thursday, Kourtney Heintz will host a productive part-time writer workshop at MCPL Wausau at 6:30 p.m. Heintz wrote two novels while working full-time, and she will share her tips for setting deadlines and managing the distractions of real life. You may have heard of...

Writing Wisconsin Books

July 24, 2014

As summer winds down and your thoughts turn to more studious matters (whether you’re going back to school or starting a new project), don’t forget the library offers these useful resources! Online databases Your library card gives you online access to product reviews and comparisons from Consumer Reports, stock reports from Value Line, foreign language learning tools from Mango Languages, repair manuals from the Auto Repair Reference Center, and many other helpful research databases. Visit any of our locations and use one of our public computers or connect to our free Wi-Fi to access these databases at www.mcpl.us/research. You can also access most of these databases from home. Genealogy...

Newsletter Genealogy Online Resources

June 18, 2014

Next Tuesday night, the Wausau headquarters is offering something for everyone at the library. All of these great events start at 6:30 p.m. and are free!  Tween Science: Kids grades 3-5 are invited to watch and try some science experiments during out Tween Science program. Art with Heat: Teens can experiment with heat to create melted crayon art and ice candles. Teens also have a chance to try Flame Painter, a free computer program! Canning  and Preservation: Adults will learn the science behind canning and preservation of various fruits and vegetables in this presentation by Jackie Carattini from the UW-Extension.  7 Days of Harryhausen Film Festival: In celebration of the late...

Summer Library Program Events

June 2, 2014

Looking for a new book to read on your Kindle or Nook for June? Check out Overdrive’s Big Library Read, which offers community-wide access to a new mystery during June 3-18, 2014. During this special event, all card holders can simply download  "A Pedigree to Die For, Melanie Travis Mystery Series, Book 1 " by Laurien Berenson from Overdrive. Since Overdrive is offering simultaneous use for this title during June 3-18, the title is available right away, with no waiting on hold for the next copy. The title expires at the end of the lending period for each user, not the end of the program. Publisher’s description of "A Pedigree to Die For": "The apparent heart attack that killed kennel owner Max...

E-books Wisconsin's Digital Library Technology

May 21, 2014

Did you know that you can now stream videos from the Wisconsin Digital Library Catalog (Overdrive)? New this week, stream a video from our current collection of 220 titles, and look for more to be added in the future. How to stream videos: --From the Wisconsin Digital Library Catalog (Overdrive) home page, select “New Streaming Video” under the featured collections list at the top of the page. -If you are using a web browser, once you have located a title that is available for streaming, simply click "Play" to start watching the video. -If you are using the Overdrive app, tap the "Add to app' button to add streaming video to your in-app bookshelf. -Streaming video works on most devices as long as you...

Wisconsin's Digital Library Technology Movies

May 19, 2014

On May 15, author, humorist, and singer/songwriter Michael Perry visited the MCPL Wausau headquarters and discussed his latest book, answered some audience questions, and signed books. Perry is the author of best-selling titles such as "Population 485, "Truck: A Love Story, and "Visiting Tom." The library has many of Perry's titles available for check-out. The library also live-tweeted the event, and some memorable tweets from Twitter are curated via Storify below.    

Writing Wisconsin Books

May 5, 2014

How many times have you picked up your smart phone, tablet, laptop, or another electronic device today? Perhaps you feel like you are always online because of work or school, plus all of the time you spend online at home. Can you imagine spending a week without using your devices for entertainment? This May, consider participating in Screen-Free Week. Screen-Free Week is an annual event where participants pledge to spend seven days without using screens for entertainment. You do not need to stop using your computer or device for work or school, but the point of the pledge is to find other sources of entertainment for you and your family. Take the pledge, and see what activities you can discover, or perhaps...

Reading Recommendations Events Food

May 2, 2014

The Heartbleed bug, the Internet Explorer security flaw, changes to Facebook’s privacy settings, credit card breaches at major retail stores; all are examples of privacy and security breaches headlining local and nationals news. Since our lives are so connected to the Internet, it sometimes can feel like we don’t have a lot of control over our digital lives, and especially our privacy. Choose Privacy Week is an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that focuses on digital privacy rights. It’s an invitation for libraries and library users to have a conversation about individual privacy rights in a digital age. While privacy has always been an important part of library services, the Choose Privacy...

Libraries Technology Websites

April 23, 2014

Despite the snow we've seen this April, spring has arrived in Marathon County, and so has severe weather season! This week is Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, and the library has some helpful tips and suggestions to keep you and your family safe. Remember to Listen, Act, and Live! Listen: When severe weather is in your area, listen to a credible source (such as an emergency weather radio) for updates. Continue to monitor until the storm system leaves your area. Act: When a tornado warning is issued, seek shelter immediately! If you are in your home, head to your basement if you have one, or look for a room without windows, ideally on the lowest floor and in the center of the building. For...

Nature Government Information