July 7, 2021

Even though summer is officially upon us, the committee behind the Central Wisconsin Book Festival — including this author — have their eyes on the fall as we plan for the 5th annual fest! The festival, an initiative of the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL), has grown in several exciting ways since its humble beginnings in 2017: The number of authors hosted, the number of people who attend, and the reach of the festival beyond Central Wisconsin to other states and even countries! The biggest way we’re growing this year is geographically: For the first time, MCPL is collaborating with the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point and the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids to host...

Authors Books Central Wisconsin Book Festival Community Events Poetry Writing

April 20, 2021

It’s probably fair to say that we’ve all had enough of the COVID-19 pandemic. We here at the Marathon County Public Library are certainly looking forward to reopening our doors and getting back to that thing we enjoy doing so much - serving you, the public. That said, we are not quite out of the woods just yet.  After conferring with the Marathon County Health Department and the MCPL Board of Trustees, I am delighted to offer a tentative schedule for our next stage of reopening. On Monday, April 19, our board agreed to target Tuesday, June 1 as the tentative date we intend to reopen to the public. If we are able to meet that goal when factoring in local infection rates and...

Adults Community COVID-19 Director's Report Libraries Library Board Library Branches Wausau Headquarters

January 27, 2021

On January 25, the Marathon County Public Library Board of Trustees voted to approve a motion for the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) to join the South Central Library System (SCLS). The 4-3 vote was preceded by a year-long analysis by the Library System Task Force, which was formed in January 2020 to thoroughly examine the cost and benefits of joining SCLS. In December 2020, the Task Force’s final recommendation was that MCPL join SCLS. “I appreciate all of the hard work completed by our Task Force during the past year,” said Marathon County Public Library Director Ralph Illick. “I am excited about the possibility of joining the South Central Library System and collaborating with our friends at the...

Community Libraries Library Board Library Branches

January 19, 2021

There’s no shortage of great books about time travel. Consider The Time Machine, A Christmas Carol or the more contemporary Outlander. Maybe you haven’t read a book that includes actual time travel, but one that takes place in another era. For example, many westerns, science fiction, fantasy, and romance books are set in the past or future, and can also do the trick. We asked our patrons in Mosinee if they could be time travelers, to when would they travel? Many found it a difficult question.  A number of patrons were concerned that any action in the past would cause a change in the present, much like in the movie Back to the Future. For that reason, one young patron decided he would...

Adults Books Community

November 24, 2020

Marathon County officials and municipal officials within the county recently embarked on a plan to boost the strength of wireless internet available at all Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) locations. Currently, Wi-Fi is left on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at all 8 MCPL branches, and is available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Wausau Headquarters, as well as from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Prior to a decision made by the MCPL Board in May 2019, the library turned off its Wi-Fi when the building was closed. The change was made in an attempt to provide residents — especially those in rural areas who have poor internet service —  with...

Community COVID-19 Director's Report Facility Improvement IT Updates Library Board On-Site Services Technology

October 15, 2020

Are you applying for a job and want someone to look over your updated resume? Or would you like a second set of eyes to proofread your cover letter before you submit a job application? One of the professional services the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) offers is the proofreading and editing of job-related documents such as resumes, cover letters, and curricula vitae. Patrons may email these documents (preferably in Microsoft Word format) to ref@mcpl.us, and one of our qualified Adult Reference staff members will proofread them in the areas of spelling, grammar, structure, and clarity. Patrons will then receive a reply email containing our suggested edits within 2-3 business days. MCPL’s...

Adults Community Jobs Libraries Wausau Headquarters Writing

October 8, 2020

On Tuesday, October 6, 2020, Governor Tony Evers directed Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue Emergency Order #3, limiting public gatherings to no more than 25 percent of a room or building’s total occupancy, with some exceptions. The complete Emergency Order is available at the following link: https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/EmO03-LimitingPublicGatherings.pdf. The Order is effective at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, until Friday, November 6, 2020.

Community COVID-19

October 1, 2020

It’s a natural fit for the Marathon County Historical Society (MCHS) and the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) to work together to bring information and events to the public. They share some of the same goals to keep history — and local history in particular — alive and accessible. With both locations either being closed or offering only limited access due the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve partnered to adapt and reorganize our joint programming for a virtual environment. Virtual talks are broadcast simultaneously via the platform Zoom, and live streamed on MCHS’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Each presentation is archived on the MCHS Facebook page and...

Community Events History

September 30, 2020

In recent weeks, the Marathon County Health Department has reported a record number of positive COVID-19 cases. With the number of positive cases continuing to rise locally, and out of an abundance of caution, the Marathon County Public Library has decided to postpone the opening of its Student Learning Lab until further notice. The lab was originally set to open October 5. Students in need of high-speed Internet access can still make an appointment to use a computer at any of the nine MCPL locations across the county. For more information on making a computer appointment, click here. Do you have a child that needs a quiet place to study? Or do you have an unpredictable internet connection...

Community COVID-19 Education Learning Libraries On-Site Services Technology Teens Tweens Wausau Headquarters

September 8, 2020

The Central Wisconsin Book Festival will take place Sept. 21-27, 2020. Before it happens, we want to share a bit about some of the guests, so we've asked a few to answer some questions from festival organizers about themselves and their work. Below is a back-and-forth from Charles Hagner and CWBF committee member Chad Dally through email. Charles will join us virtually at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 to tell us why Wisconsin is a great state to look for birds, and share some tips and techniques to identify birds. He’s the director of Bird City Wisconsin and author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of Wisconsin.   What's your background and how did you get involved with...

Authors Books Central Wisconsin Book Festival Community History Nature Wisconsin

September 2, 2020

The fourth annual Central Wisconsin Book Festival (CWBF) takes place September 21–27, 2020, with events happening each of the six days, bringing authors and literature lovers together in exciting, creative and introspective ways! Although organizers felt it was necessary to make this year’s festival all-virtual, we’re still really excited about this year’s lineup and hope you will be, too. About a dozen volunteers have met monthly — first in person, then virtually — since the end of the 2019 festival to set up this year’s events. It’s been a challenge to reorganize the whole festival to take place online, due to the coronavirus pandemic. We’ll certainly miss the opportunity to gather together and...

Adults Authors Books Central Wisconsin Book Festival Community Events Poetry Reading Recommendations Writing

August 18, 2020

A lot of events in the news recently, including that regarding institutional racism and the protests held by the Black Lives Matter movement and other groups, can bring up a lot of questions. It did for me, even as an adult. Why is this happening? What happened in the past, and how did we get here? Those questions got me thinking about other social issues we’re currently facing right now, including immigration and transphobia. Why is life hard for so many immigrants, when we’re an entire nation of them? What’s the difference between gender and sexuality? As you start to examine history, you start to see that it’s a story created and controlled by the winners of wars and other conflicts. This got me...

Books Community E-books Education Reading Recommendations Teens

June 24, 2020

Let’s face it: A library, on its own, cannot change the world. It’s a physical building — bricks, windows, shelves — filled with inanimate, physical materials like books, movies, and music. But… a library can be an agent of change for the people who visit — a source for learning about the world as it exists today and the history of where we’ve been as a planet, as a country, as a state, and as a people. Through the materials in our buildings, libraries are places that foster understanding and empathy.  People who work at libraries (myself included) pride themselves on the fact that we provide information on just about any topic, and always in a nonjudgmental way. It’s simple...

Books Community COVID-19 Libraries Magazines and Newspapers Reading Recommendations

June 9, 2020

With recent events in America, it is more important than ever to expose young children to people of all races and ethnicities. It is never too early to start talking to children about race and its place in our country. Parents, caregivers, and educators have the power and responsibility to broaden children's understanding of the world. Talking about race may be intimidating and uncomfortable, so check out this great article by embracerace.org that gives small talking points and advice on how to start the conversation with children. Representation in children's books is very unequal. Studies show that children need to see people that look like them in books and other media to form a positive self...

Authors Books Children Community Early Literacy Reading Recommendations

June 5, 2020

The death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, while in police custody, has sparked worldwide outrage, protests and calls for systemic reform within the U.S. criminal justice system and its police departments. No list of books and resources that addresses police brutality, inequality and injustice, and similar and important topics can ever be complete, so we thought we’d pick out just a few. If we’ve left out a book or resource you think is important, feel free to comment!

Adults Books Community Movies Reading Recommendations

May 19, 2020

In order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its impact on members of the community and our staff, the Marathon County Public Library’s headquarters in Wausau and its branches throughout the county will remain closed to the public through June 15, 2020. We will continue to provide important library services such as contact-free curbside pickup, free Wi-Fi outside of our buildings, online programming and reference phone calls and emails. In addition, due dates and fines are suspended during this time. We are working with county officials, statewide library leadership, and our library system on developing a multi-phase reopening plan that prioritizes public health. We will be...

Community COVID-19 Director's Report Government Information Health Resources Library Board Library Branches

May 14, 2020

In light of the recent news that the Wisconsin State Supreme Court has overturned Governor Evers' "Safer at Home" order, the library is gathering information and resources to determine our next steps.  As a county agency, we will be guided by our County Administration and County Health Officer. Keep watching the library's website and social media channels for updates. UPDATE (5/15): Marathon County has published "MARATHON COUNTY COVID-19 ORDER #1." Thank you for your support during these unusual times!   In the meantime, we are still happy to provide a variety of services during our COVID-19 (coronavirus) closure, including the following: Patrons may...

COVID-19 Director's Report Government Information Laws And Legal Issues Libraries Library Branches Community Events On-Site Services Wisconsin

May 11, 2020

Schools, libraries and other educational institutions have been closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but some Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) staff members found a way to get much-needed books into the hands of area students during the closure. Over the past several weeks, Stephanie M., a library assistant at MCPL’s Wausau Headquarters, has arranged for children’s books to be donated to local school districts, as well as to the United Way of Marathon County. The donated books were removed from the library’s collection and would normally have been donated to the Friends of the Marathon County Public Library to be sold at one of the group’s quarterly book sales. But since those sales won’t be...

Books Children Community COVID-19 Early Literacy Education Library Staff

May 8, 2020

In March and April, we asked patrons in our communities to submit original works they wrote related to thoughts, feelings and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. We received submissions from four people, and we are very happy to share three of them – two poems and one piece of short fiction - with the public. (The fourth submission is not included because it didn’t match up with the intent of the community writing project.) Thank you to those who submitted their work, and we hope the rest of you enjoy what they came up with! “COVID-19 Stinks” by Atia Kampstra (Age 7) The sun has gone down and the curtains have closed I sit in a graveyard sobbing so much I might not be able to cry again...

Adults Community COVID-19 Events Writing

April 24, 2020

As you know, the offerings provided by MCPL for the communities we serve have been limited by the Governor’s "Safer At Home" orders[1][2] over the last several weeks. Fortunately, we are now authorized to begin the reintroduction of some services on a limited basis in the coming days. Our staff are looking forward to the opportunity to do so with limitations designed to protect everyone – staff and public alike. Our intention is to develop a schedule and a process at each MCPL location that will allow for curbside pickup of materials with a start date of Monday, May 4, 2020. Currently, we are awaiting finalization of the expected capacity for our consortium to provide delivery services that...

Director's Report Community COVID-19

April 17, 2020

Writing can be a cathartic, therapeutic way to process negative emotions of grief or trauma, or to cope with mental health. Our Rothschild Branch had organized an event on this very topic that was originally going to be held last night, but that event has since been rescheduled for October 15.  For those who planned on attending the event today, we wanted to explore the idea of using writing to process negative or traumatic events, and offer some tips and tools that will help get you started and feeling inspired. Before you get started writing, you'll want to think about your intent. What is the intent of your writing? Will be just for you, or do you plan to share it publicly? Either way, the...

Community Writing

March 16, 2020

THIS ARTICLE WAS LAST UPDATED ON 6/15/20 Due to the continued threat of COVID-19 (commonly known as coronavirus), all nine Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) locations will remain closed to the public through June 21, 2020 (more information on this development can be found here). This includes locations in Wausau, Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford. All MCPL locations will open on June 22, 2020, by appointment only. Due to the closure, all in-person library programs and events that were scheduled to occur between now and June 21 have been canceled. However, MCPL will continue to offer a variety of virtual events that will ...

Community COVID-19 Libraries

February 21, 2020

This spring, the U.S. Census Bureau will attempt to count every person living within the United States, and the Marathon County Public Library is here to help! In mid-March, U.S. households will receive a paper questionnaire from the Census Bureau by mail. Starting April 1, individuals can take the census by one of three ways: by filling out and sending back the paper questionnaire; taking the questionnaire by phone; or responding to the questionnaire online at www.2020census.gov. In addition, census takers may visit your residence door-to-door to administer the questionnaire as well. Participation in the census is required by law, and individuals can respond to the census any time between April 1 and July...

Government Information Community

January 27, 2020

Our U.S. Constitution requires that every 10 years, we complete a basic outline of who we are as a country: How many people live here The number of men and women and seniors and toddlers The nationalities and racial backgrounds of our residents …and more. Since we’re starting a new decade, a new census count will be conducted in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and 5 U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (You’re not alone if you’re not familiar with the Northern Mariana Islands… I had to look them up, too — they’re just north of Guam in the Pacific Ocean and they look lovely.) The 2020 census count...

Government Information Community

January 15, 2020

If you stopped by the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) last summer, you may have seen someone dropping off purple knit or crocheted hats and wondered what it was all about. For the past few years, MCPL has partnered with CLICK for Babies, an organization for the prevention of child abuse, with the purple hats used to highlight the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome. In the first few months of life, all babies go through a period of increased crying, usually starting around two weeks of age, peaking in the second month and waning during the third and fourth months. CLICK for Babies uses the color purple to help parents remember that this crying lasts for a limited period of time and...

Community

January 15, 2020

Thanks to recent parking changes in downtown Wausau, visitors to the library's Wausau headquarters have more options for free parking! The main Library Parking Lot (north of the building, by the front doors) will continue to offer free three-hour parking for library patrons – no parking meters, permits or pay stations. Other nearby lots and ramps are controlled by the City of Wausau and offer paid parking Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm; however, the first two hours of parking are free if you register at a pay station located in the lot / ramp.  These lots / ramps include: Lower Library Lot (Lot 7  |  Zone 5720) -- west of the library (behind it) by the river, access...

Community Facility Improvement Wausau Headquarters

January 10, 2020

All nine Marathon County Public Library locations, as well as most other County agencies and offices, will be closed on Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) so that employees can attend the County's third annual Martin Luther King Jr. "Day On." Like in past years, this MLK Day won’t be a day off for library staff and other county employees. Instead, the county has put together a  “day on” inservice so that county employees can attend various different educational programs based around the ideals promoted by Dr. King, including acceptance and equality, non-violence and combating racism and poverty. Highlights of this year's event include Mennonite Bishop Enos Martin,...

Community Library Staff

October 22, 2019

As libraries evolve in the 21st century to meet the changing needs of their communities and maintain relevance as community hubs, more and more are carving out spaces for their patrons to create through so-called “makerspaces.”  What are they making there? The answers are as varied as the books on the shelves… They’re making: Screenprinted posters and clothing Music, videos, and podcasts Codes for computer programs and apps 3-D figurines Laser-engraved woodblocks …and much more! Some libraries also incorporate sewing machines, basic circuitry gadgets for kids, and virtual or augmented reality equipment into their makerspaces. The Marathon County Public Library (MCPL)...

Technology Events Foundation Community

September 24, 2019

An award-winning graphic novelist, a highly acclaimed poet and essayist whose career is skyrocketing, and one of Wisconsin’s most popular authors are but a few of the guests who will take part in the Central Wisconsin Book Festival (CWBF) this weekend throughout the Wausau area! Started in 2017, the festival aims to bring in writers from across the country — with some extra attention on Wisconsin authors — for a series of events celebrating the written word in its various forms and genres: poetry,  fiction,  nonfiction (and local writers who dabble in all of the above forms),  comics & graphic novels. The motivation behind the festival is to celebrate the literary arts in...

Central Wisconsin Book Festival Community Events Reading Recommendations

April 29, 2019

If your school, organization or daycare wants to bring students or members to see what the library is all about, you can plan a group visit! Groups of 10 or more can schedule a guided tour of any MCPL location and learn about the various materials and services we have to offer. Groups can also get an aquarium lesson, learn how to use the library catalog or attend a special story time just for them! Group visit applications can be found and filled out at www.mcpl.us/group-visits. For more information, call 715-261-7200.  

Aquarium Children Community Summer Library Program

April 27, 2019

Summer in Wisconsin is also known as “road construction season,” but this year, it also brings the return of Marathon County’s Uniform Addressing project! The Uniform Addressing project began its implementation phase in 2018 and will resume in May 2019. From spring through fall, the municipalities of Berlin, Bern, Brighton, Halsey, Hamburg, Holton, Hull, Johnson, Rib Falls, Rietbrock, the Town of Spencer and Stettin will receive new Uniform Addresses, and MCPL is here to help! If you or someone you know lives in one of these municipalities and has questions, visit any MCPL location to pick up a free Quick Reference Guide, call the Reference Desk at 715-261-7230 or visit www.MyMarathonCountyAddress.org...

Community Uniform Addressing

April 15, 2019

The sight of melting snow, budding trees and blooming flowers are all signs that spring is here, and the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) has one more hallmark to add to the mix! For the second year in a row, MCPL will offer Trail Tales, an interactive outdoor reading experience that families can enjoy together as the temperatures get warmer and folks head outdoors. From April 22 through May 20, kids and families will have the opportunity to walk along the scenic River Edge Trail in downtown Wausau and read the pages of two children’s books that will be posted along the way. The trail will run north-to-south from Kickbusch Plaza (which begins behind MCPL’s Wausau Headquarters) to the River Life...

Libraries Community Children

March 21, 2019

Marathon County's Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department is responsible for maintaining over 60 parks, trails, forest units and recreational facilities across Marathon County. These properties include Marathon Park, Wausau's outdoor pools, the Dells of the Eau Claire Park, Sylvan Hill, The 400 Block, Mountain-Bay Trail and other scenic gems around the area.  Through April 14, the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department is conducting a public survey of park and recreational facilities as part of an update to the County’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. As a valued member of the community, you're invited to take an online survey that will let the County know what you think...

Community

February 6, 2019

Are you a local high school graduate who wouldn't mind parting with your high school yearbook? Or are you helping a family member de-clutter and have some yearbooks to get rid of? The Marathon County Public Library might want them! MCPL’s Wausau Headquarters houses a large collection of local high school yearbooks, including the Wausau East (formerly Wausau High School) Wahiscan, Wausau West Aurora, Newman High School Cardinal (formerly The Red Hat), the D.C. Everest Everette, and Faith Christian Academy annual. In addition, our Marathon City Branch has a limited collection of the Marathon High School Fleetfoot, and our Mosinee Branch also recently acquired a small collection of the Mosinee High School...

Community History

January 2, 2019

After the success of last year's first-ever Martin Luther King Jr. "Day On," all Marathon County Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 21, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In addition, most other county agencies and offices will also be closed. Like last year, this MLK Day won’t be a day off for library staff and other county employees. Instead, the county has put together a  “day on” inservice so that county employees can attend various different educational programs based around the ideals promoted by Dr. King. These many seminars, workshops and talks revolve around Dr. King’s teachings of diversity, non-violence and poverty. Highlights of this...

Community Library Staff

September 26, 2018

From September 24 through September 28, the Marathon County Public Library is honoring Wisconsin veterans with a temporary exhibit at its Spencer Branch. The exhibit, called Wisconsin Remembers: A Face for Every Name is a traveling exhibit that features the name and photo of over 1,600 Wisconsin veterans who served in the Vietnam War.  The photos featured on the traveling memorial wall also appear on the official Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. “Sometimes, it is more than just doing a program. This one hits home to many,” said Audrey Kohlbeck, Spencer Branch Coordinator, who arranged for the traveling wall to come to Spencer. To commemorate this weeklong tribute, the...

Community Events

July 7, 2018

Next weekend finds us smack dab in the middle of summer and time for Wausau’s annual “Big Weekend,” consisting of Wausau Events’ Balloon & Rib Fest and Chalkfest. This event has been held every year for the past 15 years and has become a staple of summertime in Wausau. Hundreds of artists will work tirelessly in the heat (and sometimes in some rain showers) to work on their creations, adorning downtown Wausau’s 400 Block with cartoon characters, celebrity portraits, inspiring messages and more. Registration for this year’s Chalkfest has already sold out, as it often does. But if you want to work on your skills for next year’s event (or just see what you can do on your own driveway or sidewalk), check...

Books Arts and Crafts Community Events

March 21, 2018

In a few short weeks, Marathon County's Conservation, Planning and Zoning Department will begin the installation phase of its new Uniform Addressing System, which will change more than 20,000 address county-wide. In anticipation of the project's tentative April 9 start date, the county will begin sending out a staggered mailing of Official Notices to property owners whose addresses will be changing as a result of the project. Official Notices will be mailed in a series of batches between late March and November, beginning on the east side of the county and moving west. Property owners will receive the notice a few weeks before sign installation is set to begin in their...

Community Uniform Addressing

March 14, 2018

There is a lot going on at your library! The Friends of the Library have moved into their new digs in the old bookmobile garage, and their first book sale was a huge success. The Friends made the transition very smoothly, and we look forward to their being able to enjoy the new room for years to come as they raise money to help the library provide its programs.  On another note, the LENA Project will be gearing up in February and March of this year. The library will be hosting and facilitating this important community collaboration designed to help parents of children aged birth to three years old with the critical brain development that centers around language. There are multiple community...

Director's Report Friends Of The Library LENA Children Book Sale Community Facility Improvement Uniform Addressing

February 14, 2018

Today is Valentine's Day, and love is in the air!  Over the past few weeks, we've been asking adults at our nine library locations and online to tell us what love means to them in six words or less. Folks were limited to a total of three entries per person and could write about any kind of love - love for a friend or family member, significant other, pet, hobby, song, food, inanimate object, etc. We received 16 entries in total, and originally planned on picking our favorites but...we couldn't! We liked all of your entries so much that you're all winners in our book. Read the submitted entries below and put a little love in your heart!   Attentive devoted loving care given faithfully! –...

Libraries Writing Holidays Community

February 5, 2018

Our Athens Branch's Fiber Arts group recently collaborated on an art blanket to be donated to Aid Africa's Children charity. Local resident Darlene Strack crocheted the blanket and her fellow Fiber Arts group members supplied the yarn and inspired the theme "Four Seasons Farm Field." Every week, the group and other library patrons looked forward to having input on the progress of the design. In addition, Athens Branch Library Coordinator and poet, Dawn Anderson, supported the effort by writing a poem to showcase the symbolism of each row and color in the blanket. The poem is as follows: Four Seasons Farm Field It begins. Spring earth Rich as...

Community Events

January 23, 2018

If you happen to receive a postcard in the mail like the one pictured here, you're one of the more than 20,000 Marathon County residents who will receive a new address as part of Marathon County's new Uniform Addressing System. This means that later this year (between April and November 2018), residents, business owners and landowners in 41 different Marathon County municipalities will receive a new six-digit uniform address, with a goal of helping emergency services provide the right service to the right place at the right time.  Some residents may feel overwhelmed by the fact they will be receiving a new address, but Marathon County is committed to helping people through this change....

Community Education Technology Uniform Addressing

January 19, 2018

The first three years of a child's life are vital to brain development. Children from birth onward learn through talking, singing, reading, and playing. During these interactions, children learn how the world works, acquire vocabulary, stimulate different parts of their brain, as well as many other benefits. While this may seem easy enough, some caregivers may simply not be talking enough or using a variety of words to build a child’s brain! This is where LENA Start can benefit many children in our community. LENA stands for Learning ENvironment Analysis. The LENA System measures the early language environment of children ages birth to 32 months. Using a “talk pedometer” that children wear in a...

Children Community Early Literacy Health Resources LENA

January 2, 2018

All Marathon County Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. But this MLK Day won’t be a day off for library staff and other county employees. Instead, the county has organized a “day on” where county offices and agencies will be closed so that its employees can attend a number of educational programs based around the ideals promoted by Dr. King. The programs will revolve around Dr. King’s teachings of diversity, non-violence and poverty. Planned speakers for the day include Stan Davis, owner of the Davis Group of Wisconsin and former Chief of Staff to former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle; as well as county employees with specialized...

Holidays Community

November 21, 2017

Thanksgiving is just two days away, with many people gathering their ingredients, digging out their family recipes and planning their trips home.  But some community members aren't fortunate enough to have the financial resources for a Thanksgiving meal, or to have a place to spend the holiday. Luckily, there are handful of generous organizations and establishments that will offer free Thanksgiving meals during certain hours on November 22 and 23. The organizations and businesses offering these meals are spread across Wausau and its surrounding communities, making them easy to access no matter which part of the city you reside in.   Blue Willow Cafe  Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,...

Food Community Holidays

October 24, 2017

In February 2016, the Marathon County Board adopted policy to implement a Uniform Addressing system. Instead of the current 10 rural address grids that contain duplicate or similar addresses, there will now be a Uniform Addressing grid, which will enable public agencies — especially emergency services — to provide the right service to the right place at the right time. Currently, 43 municipalities have joined together to partner in the county’s Uniform Addressing Project. Participating municipalities can be viewed at the current status map available at: http://mymarathoncountyaddress.org (if you reside in a town or if you live in the Village of...

Community Libraries On-Site Services Uniform Addressing

August 25, 2017

We’ve recently completed our months-long Pennies for a Cause campaign at the library’s Wausau Headquarters! The campaign, which ran 6/12-8/12 in the children’s area, gave kids and parents the chance to donate coins to be given to a local charitable organization. With each donation, folks also voted for which organization they wanted to receive the money. And now, the votes are in! Nearly $100 was raised throughout the summer and will be donated to the Humane Society of Marathon County, which garnered the most votes, with a total of 54! Runners up include New Life Pet Adoption Center, which received 43 votes, and Stable Hands Equine Therapy Center, with 29 votes. MCPL sincerely thanks all of the generous...

Summer Library Program Children Community

August 10, 2017

The Marathon County Public Library is working with other community partners to present the first-ever Central Wisconsin Book Festival, starting Friday, September 29, and continuing through September 30 with a diverse lineup of events. The festival begins Friday night with “Fact or Fiction,” a live and interactive storytelling event at the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) in Wausau. Other events include, but aren’t limited to, a presentation on early childhood literacy from Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, a conversation with comic writer and artist Tim Seeley and a discussion about Alzheimer’s disease with former Wisconsin governor Martin Schreiber, who recently co-authored a book on Alzheimer’s care and whose wife is...

Authors Central Wisconsin Book Festival Community Events

July 26, 2017

Now that Wausau's city council has voted to allow chickens within the city limits, local residents may be wondering just exactly how to make their dreams of backyard poultry a reality. Well, first things first, we recommend you read the actual ordinance (8.08.012, page 10) and make sure what you're planning aligns with what is permitted in your area. And for those of you in other Marathon County municipalities who are curious about owning chickens, we can point you to the ordinances that may affect you; just contact us at the Reference Desk. Then, when you're ready, check out some of the books offered by your local Marathon County Public Library on the topic of raising chickens, some of which...

Reading Recommendations Community

June 16, 2017

The kids are out of school, the temperatures are rising and summer is finally upon us! June, July and August are always busy months here at the Marathon County Public Library (and just about everywhere else), with a full calendar of events and activities to attend throughout the summer. We have plenty on our plate with our annual Summer Library Program offerings, with many of our events corresponding with other events and holidays happening across Marathon County. While it’s far from a complete guide, take a look at some of the crossover events we have planned for the coming months in relation to other popular events happening this summer in your community! Celebrate the USA Story Time Tue., 6/27/17...

Libraries Events Community

April 19, 2017

Staff of the Marathon County Public Library celebrated the opening of their newly-completed Wausau Community Room on April 5. Located on the second floor of the library's Wausau Headquarters, the community room was built to allow for easier patron access and to replace the library's third floor meeting room. Library Director Ralph Illick cut the ceremonius ribbon at the unveiling, which was organized by the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce and was attended by library staff, Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger, employees of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service, members of the Marathon County Board and library board, members of the MCPL Foundation, volunteers from the Friends of Marathon...

Libraries Community Facility Improvement Library Board

July 20, 2016

With temperatures expected to reach into the 90s this week, local officials are urging residents to protect themselves from heat-related illness. One way to do that is by coming to the library! All Marathon County Public Libraries have been designated as official cooling centers -- places where residents without air conditioning can get relief from the extreme heat. We also will have bottled water available. According to the Marathon County Health Department, most heat-related illnesses involve the elderly, individuals who have chronic illnesses, children, athletes and outdoor workers. To prevent risks from excessive heat, the health department suggests people do the following:...

Nature Community

July 17, 2016

With great disappointment, today I announce that the Marathon County Public Library will no longer seek to host the Children’s Museum of Marathon County (CMMC) on its third floor. The final report on the weight capacity for the third floor has been completed by FEH Design, and their conclusions for required revisions are too costly to support having a museum occupy that space. This is most unfortunate, as the partnership between the library and CMMC was full of great potential for providing hands on STEM focused and educational experiences throughout our county. Although we will no longer be co-located, we share the desire to bring a new level of interactive and fun learning to our community. The CMMC will...

Children Director's Report Community

November 17, 2011

Religious practices have been important since humans first pondered the mysteries of the cosmos. The unique architecture of American cathedrals, chapels, synagogues and  mosques now  represent many faiths.  Changing seasons bring a host of religious celebrations with beautiful artwork,  music, tasty food and artifacts.   As a community center providing access to ideas, the library shall present a series of lobby displays about the major religions practiced in America.   A special  exhibit to instruct about Islam was assembled by international students from the Northcentral Technical College.  We will  follow up with...

Community Books

April 25, 2011

How did the Hmong become embroiled in a war not of their own making?  What role did they serve during the Vietnam War?  What forces propelled them from their homeland to the refugee camps of Thailand and ultimately here to the United States?  Dr. Paul Hillmer, author of A People’s History of the Hmong, will discuss these and other topics during a free presentation this Thursday, April 28, 6:30pm  @MCPL Wausau.   Hillmer is a professor of American History at Concordia University in St Paul, MN and Director of the Hmong Oral History Project.  He and his students interviewed and recorded stories from over 200 Hmong individuals.  These interviews form the foundation of...

Events Reading Recommendations Community

February 28, 2010

The Friends of the Marathon County Public Library Team, the "Dewey Decimals", took home the gold Sunday at the Marathon County Literacy Council’s 6th annual Adult Spelling Bee. They won by spelling the final two words "muskeg" and "brolly" correctly.  Competing with them for the top spot was Aspirus Hospital’s team, "Word Warriors",  who received second place. Nine teams competed, had fun, and helped fund the work of the  Literacy Council, to improve literacy in Marathon County. Other teams competing were DC Everest, Wausau Early Bird Rotary, Greater Wausau Evening Kiwanis, Wausau Noon Optimists, "Birds and Bees", Marathon County Retired Educators, and "We Bee Spielers...

Community Literacy Council

February 26, 2010

The Dewey Decimals, the Library's own spelling bee team, is matching their spelling prowess against other area teams this Saturday, February 27 in the Marathon County Literacy Council's Adult Spelling Bee.  Due to the efforts and generosity of the Friends of the Marathon County Public Library, the Library is able to support the Literacy Council's important work and have fun. Come and cheer on the Dewey Decimals!  The Spelling Bee is being held at the Health Sciences Building, Northcentral Technical College (directions here).  The Bee starts at 1:00pm and is free.  Food is available and raffles will be held.  Come and join us.

Community Literacy Council

February 18, 2010

Teams are ready and waiting to spell their hearts out at the Marathon County Literacy Council’s Spelling Bee on Saturday, February 27.   And yes, this includes a team from the Marathon County Public Library.  Our Library Team, staff members Chris and Alissa, and Friends member Bill Dovenbarger are ready to match their spelling knowledge against other area teams in this fun event.  The annual Marathon County Literacy Council’s 6th annual Adult Spelling Bee is Saturday, February 27, 1:00-4:00pm at the Health Science Building, Northcentral Technical College.  The Spelling Bee is the annual fund raiser that helps support the important work of the Marathon County Literacy Council to...

Community Literacy Council

July 9, 2009

Yes, the Marathon County Public Library has its very own pig.  We are participating with other Wausau downtown businesses and Wausau Area Events in celebration of the Big Bull Falls BBQ Ribfest "Pigs on Parade",  in conjuction with all the other activities this weekend.  It promises to be a fun-filled weekend with the hot air balloon rally, Chalk Fest, kayak races, RibFest,  and of course the Pig Parade. Our very talented staff painted our pig and outfitted him with his very own hot air ballon so that he is ready and waiting for the hot air balloon rally.  See our pig here at the library thru Saturday.  On Saturday afternoon he will take his place with the other...

Community

April 22, 2009

Mosinee Branch Library (pictured here) will be part of  the Mosinee Business & Community Expo on April 29th from 3:30-6:30pm. This event will be held at the Mosinee Recreational Center on 11th Street which will showcase Mosinee businesses and community groups. This event is free to the public. Stop by and see us.

Library Branches Community