On-site Services
A variety of helpful equipment, archives and services are available at your local Marathon County Public Library! Some resources are only available at certain MCPL locations, as noted below.
Suggest a Purchase
If you can't find an item in the Library Catalog (V-Cat) and you think we should have it, let us know! You may use the online form below, or paper Purchase Suggestion forms are available at all MCPL locations. We can't promise that we will acquire the item, but we will investigate its suitability for our collections. We will... (read more)
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
The Marathon County Public Library is challenging parents to read more books with their children! The "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" initiative is meant to introduce children to a wide range of literature, encourage families to spend quality time together and promote pre-literacy and learning so children enter school ready to read, listen and learn.... (read more)
Homebound Services
For Marathon County residents unable to visit the library due to age, illness, accident or disability, our Homebound program offers a way to receive library materials at home by mail or special delivery. Please call 715-261-7248 to sign up for this free service! This service is free of charge, but a valid library card is... (read more)
Early Literacy Center
The Early Literacy Center at MCPL Wausau is an enclosed area of the children's department specially designed for children 0-5 years old! "Early literacy" is a term for what children know about language before learning how to read. This includes what letters look and sound like, recognizing rhyming words, knowing how a book works... (read more)
Online Resources
The following are databases to which the library has subscribed and websites that are affiliated with the library or host library-owned content. For an A-Z listing of all online resources, click here.
Suggest a Purchase
If you can't find an item in the Library Catalog (V-Cat) and you think we should have it, let us know! You may use the online form below, or paper Purchase Suggestion forms are available at all MCPL locations. We can't promise that we will acquire the item, but we will investigate its suitability for our collections. We will place the item on hold and... (read more)
NoveList
A reader's advisory service designed to help you find information about authors, specific books, series information, "read-a-likes" (books similar to ones you enjoy), book and author reviews, book lists, teaching guides and more!
Staff Reviews
Book reviews written by the staff of the Marathon County Public Library, featuring reviews of fiction and nonfiction for adults, children and teens! These book reviews also are published at Goodreads.com; follow us for the latest updates.
The Teen Review
Check out these book reviews written by Marathon County teens! Also includes reviews for games, movies, graphic novels, and magazines. Feel free to add comments and contribute your own reviews!
Personalized Reading Suggestions
Are you looking for books to add to the top of your must-read list? Let the staff at the Marathon County Public Library help! We are eager to use our expertise to find great reads just for you. Complete the form below, and we'll send you three personalized reading recommendations within four days. Contact information... (read more)
Core Collections Complete
Reliable guides for collection development and maintenance, curriculum support, readers' advisory and general reference.
NoveList K-8
A reader's advisory service for children, designed to help you find information about authors, specific books, series information, "read-a-likes" (books similar to ones you enjoy), book and author reviews, book lists, teaching guides, and more!
LitFinder
Access to this online resource has been discontinued by Badgerlink as of June 2017: https://badgerlink.dpi.wi.gov/bulletin/2018/07/litfinder-transparent-languages-online-update.
Literary Reference Center
Information on thousands of authors and their works, including summaries, literary criticism, biographies, reviews, interviews, classic and contemporary poems and short stories, full-text access to classic works of literature, and much more.
TeachingBooks
Provides audio excerpts of book readings, movies of authors and illustrators, and guides to thousands of titles and multimedia resources on children's and young adult literature.
Websites
The following are third-party websites suggested by library staff for your consideration according to our Materials Selection Procedure. Use these websites at your own risk; they are not controlled or monitored by the library.
BookPage
Book reviews, reading lists, book club resources, book-finding tools, and more. This is the online version of the Book News newspaper, available monthly at the Library.
KidsReads.com
A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Author interviews, book reviews and lively book commentary are found here. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors.
Kirkus Reviews
Book reviews and recommendations from the most trusted voice in book discovery.
National Public Radio: Book Reviews
Timely and interesting book reviews hosted by National Public Radio.
Read On Wisconsin!
Promotes high-quality books for children and teens throughout Wisconsin. Allows parents and educators to discuss relevant titles and teaching strategies. Also, children and teens are encouraged to create and share "book trailer" videos for sharing on this site.
Reading Group Guides
A resource for book discussion groups, including reading guides, discussion questions, plot summaries, and book lists.
Teen Reads
Lots of information about young adult books, including lists, reviews, author bios, and more.
YALSA's Teen Book Finder
This is a free smartphone/tablet app created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) to help teens, parents, library staff, educators and anyone who loves young adult literature access YALSA's growing database of book awards and book lists.