Kids' Corner / Youth Services
Visit your local MCPL for access to thousands of children's books, magazines, videos, audiobooks, music and more! Plus, MCPL offers a variety of children's events including story times, arts and crafts, sing-alongs, summer reading program, hands-on learning, musical performances, puppet shows and more! MCPL children's activities are intended for children (... (read more)
TeenZone / Teen Services
The library offers a variety of books, magazines, audiobooks and other materials for teens! Plus, MCPL offers a variety of teen events including movie and game nights, arts and crafts, summer reading program, hands-on learning, volunteer opportunities and more! MCPL teen activities are intended for teenagers in grades 6–12. Teen Events
TumbleBooks
An online collection of animated, talking picture books that teach young children the joys of reading in a format they'll love. Includes a section with teacher resources. Please note: Use of this resource is limited to patrons of MCPL; it is not available to patrons of other V-Cat libraries.
LENA Start Marathon County
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... (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)
Video Games
The library's Wausau Headquarters offers a collection of video games! View and request these games below. They are shelved in the A/V Collection on the first floor. Discs are not in the cases; you will receive the disc at checkout. Video games check out for 14 days and may be renewed once. There is a $1 per day late fee. You may check out one game at a time... (read more)
Wisconsin's Digital Library for Kids
An online catalog of free e-books, audiobooks, music and videos available for checkout! These files may be downloaded to e-readers, computers, MP3 players and other compatible devices. This link filters the WDL collection to items intended for children.
Wisconsin's Digital Library for Teens
An online catalog of free e-books, audiobooks, music and videos available for checkout! These files may be downloaded to e-readers, computers, MP3 players and other compatible devices. This link filters the WDL collection to items intended for teens.
Research Assistance
Reference Desk: The reference desk staff at the library's Wausau Headquarters are ready to answer your research questions during our regular hours of operation. Phone / Email / Chat Assistance: If you can't make it to the library in person, call 715-261-7230 or contact us online for research assistance. You may also chat with us online. Appointments:... (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 and ... (read more)
Phyllis Donner Aquarium
The children's department at MCPL Wausau features a 650-gallon saltwater aquarium with a living coral reef and more than 30 species of tropical fish and other marine life. The tank was built by Acrylic Tank Manufacturing of Las Vegas and was funded by a donation from the estate of Phyllis Donner, a Wausau resident. Inhabitants of the... (read more)
Proctoring
Take your proctored exam at the library! Proctoring services are available at all MCPL locations to persons engaged in distance and online courses. Please review the following information sheets: Proctoring at MCPL Wausau | Proctoring at MCPL branches. For further details, please contact us.
LearningExpress Library
Practice tests, tutorials, and e-books to help you succeed at work, school, or while searching for a job. Offers test preparation resources for the ACT, AP, CLEP, PSAT, SAT, TOEFL, GED, U.S. Citizenship, and more. Also, offers tutorials for all ages in the subject areas of reading, writing and math.
Homework Computers
Several computers in the TeenZone area at MCPL Wausau are reserved for teens only, and these may be used for homework. Also, all MCPL locations offer internet-connected computers, free wireless internet, and laptops available for checkout (with parental permission).
Explora for Middle & High Schools
An interface designed specifically for students in middle school and high school with an emphasis on topical browsing for age-appropriate EBSCOhost articles.
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!
Story Times
Bring your children to story time at your local Marathon County Public Library! Story times are intended to introduce children to literature and reading through storytelling, songs, games, puppets and fingerplays. Many of our story times meet on a weekly basis, while some are specially scheduled. See below for details. Area daycare providers may... (read more)
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!
Science Reference Center
Provides easy access to a multitude of full-text science-oriented content, including science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals and other sources. Topics include biology, chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science, health and medicine, history of science, life science, physics, technology and wildlife.
Britannica School
Access point for Britannica's encyclopedia content for children in elementary, middle and high school. Details: Every article and image have a citation. Double-click on a word for definitions, pronunciations, and Spanish translation. Switch between levels to find appropriately challenging articles.
Explora for Elementary Schools
An interface designed specifically for elementary students with an emphasis on topical browsing for age-appropriate EBSCOhost articles.
Children's Events
Visit your local MCPL for children's activities for all ages, including story times, arts & crafts, family movies, early literacy programs, STEAM / STEM events, music and theatrical performances, hands-on learning, our summer library program and more! Follow this webpage or subscribe to our e-newsletter for the most recent schedule of library events... (read more)
Britannica Fundamentals
Engaging and developmentally-appropriate activities for young learners, including an interactive atlas, learning games, audio and video, and vocabulary builders. Teaches geography, time, shapes, numbers, and relevant vocabulary, all in a fun and safe online environment. Formerly known as Britannica Learning Zone.
SoundzAbound
A collection of royalty-free music and sound effects for use by students and educators. Ensures copyright compliance without the hassle of verifying licensing or paying for access.
Teen Events
Visit your local MCPL for teen activities, including arts & crafts, movie nights, STEAM / STEM events, hands-on learning, Teen Advisory Group, our summer library program and more! Follow this webpage or subscribe to our e-newsletter for the most recent schedule of library events for teens at our branches in Wausau, Athens, Edgar, Hatley,... (read more)
Board Games
A variety of board games are available for in-house checkout at the MCPL Wausau children's desk! Just leave your library card at the desk to borrow the game, and retrieve your card once the game and its contents are returned. Board games available are as follows (as of December 2019): (Note: Since some of these game may be loaned to... (read more)
Virtual Reading Club (Beanstack)
UPDATE: Summer Reading Club (both virtual and in-person) has been discontinued to better allow for social distancing. We encourage all children to read 20-30 minutes a day on their own or with a parent / caregiver, and consider participating in the library's virtual events, off-site events and "grab and go" options. ... (read more)
Book Connections
Powered by TeachingBooks, this resource is focused on enriching everyone's connection to children's and young adult books and empowers all readers to: connect deeply with a book they are reading; gain new insights and understanding from award-winning authors; reinforce cultural authenticity and perspectives with diverse books;... (read more)