Welcome to MCPL! -- Since 1907, the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) has been “creating possibilities” for its customers, from basic library services, to borrowing books & other materials, to the very latest technologies & online resources!

The Marathon County Public Library consists of nine locations throughout Marathon County, Wisconsin, including our Wausau Headquarters, plus branches in Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford.

In short, if you live in Marathon County, chances are there’s an MCPL near you!

Click to view our: Mission Statement & Goals | Fast Facts for 2009 | Media/Press Info. | MCPL in the News

Mission Statement & Goals ........................................................................................... [ back to top ]

Business we are in: Creating possibilities.

Mission: To attract customers to discovery and fun through exploration and entertainment.

Vision: A passion for learning and ideas is vital to every person’s life in Marathon County.

Strategies:

• Experts/Guides/Teachers -- Staff connect with each customer, ask the right questions, find the right materials, and teach the right content.
• Community Destination and Services -- The library is consistently attractive to the community and visitors as a great resource and a "must visit."
• Community Relevance -- The Marathon County Public Library is woven into the community's daily life for learning and entertainment.
• Technology -- We have, integrate, and share empowering technologies.

Core Values and Behaviors: Service, Respect, Learning, Ownership

Promises we keep to our customers:

• Make exploration and discovery enjoyable and manageable.
• Make every contact an inviting visit to discover more.
• Be approachable, respectful, friendly, neighborly, and efficient guides for helping you find and get what you need.

FAST FACTS For 2009 ....................................................................................................... [ back to top ]

Established: 1974 when Wausau Public Library and Marathon County Library merged.

Population served: 129,958 (based on 2007 U.S. Census estimates)^[1]

Card Holders: 72,347* (residents of Marathon County)

Facilities: Libraries are located in Wausau, Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford. Each person is assessed at the rate of $30 a year in taxes for the public library—less than the average cost of one hardcover book.*

Hours open: Wausau Headquarters: 7 days per week, 66 hrs. (summer: 6 days per week, 58 hrs.); Branch Libraries: 31-51 hours per week; 346 hours per week total countywide

Meeting rooms: Available at all locations.

Collection: 313,008 books, 29,703 audio and video materials, 607 magazine and newspaper titles in print, access to thousands of magazines and newspapers electronically, 247 art prints.*

Electronic access: Wireless Internet Access at the Wausau Headquarters, Internet access to the library catalog, selected online databases, free Internet access at all libraries, website (www.mcpl.us), computer training lab at the Wausau Headquarters, and word processing at all branch libraries.

Website Visitors in 2008: 468,308 (+7%)

Annual Statistics (2008): (percentages are in comparison to last year's statistics)

• Items Borrowed: 943,778 (+7%) / Marathon Co. residents borrow an average of 7 books a year!
• Items Delivered via our Homebound Program: 11,974 (+5%)
• Family Storytime Attendance: 2,336 (+113%)
• Adult Program Attendance: 3,424 (+8%)
• Summer Reading Program Participants: 6,188 (+18%)
• Information Searches & Directional Questions Answered: 292,671 (+3%)
  

Staff: Professional librarians (FTE): 6; Support staff (FTE): 47.20

Volunteer Hours: 272 average per month*

Support Organizations: Marathon County Public Library Foundation (Est. 1982, 10 board members); Friends of the Marathon County Public Library (Est. 1966, 15 board members)

* (Uses 2007 data; updates for 2008 pending.)