Wisconsin Valley Library Service

The Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) is a member of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS), a library system made up of many other libraries throughout north-central Wisconsin (map).

WVLS facilitates the online library catalog (V-Cat) shared by the public libraries in this system and provides libraries with technical, logistical and financial support.

Additional information about WVLS:

• Founded: August 1961

• Director: Marla Sepnafski

• Website: www.wvls.org
• Address: 300 North First St., Wausau, WI 54403 (inside the Marathon County Public Library’s headquarters)
• Phone: 715-261-7251
• Fax: 715-261-7259
• Area served: 7,360 square miles including the north central Wisconsin counties of Clark, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida and Taylor.
• Population served: 285,977 (total member county service population in 2022)
• Number of libraries: Service is provided to 25 public libraries—and multiple school, academic and non-public libraries—in seven counties.
• Governance: WVLS operates under Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes and is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees. Each participating county has at least one member on the board – the rest are allocated according to population. Chairs of the County Boards of Supervisors appoint trustees to the WVLS Board.
• Budget & funding: For the most current information, visit www.wvls.org/budget-resources.
• Major services: Online library catalog administration, collective purchasing, internet access, technical expertise and support, website development and marketing support, online resources/databases, makerspace and literacy kits, courier service, consultant service, continuing education and training for library personnel and trustees.
• Staff: For the most current information, visit www.wvls.org/contact-hours.
• State view: WVLS is one of 15 library systems in Wisconsin. Systems range in size from one to 10 counties.