About the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL)

Since 1907, the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) has provided free library services to the residents of central Wisconsin. MCPL consists of nine locations throughout Marathon County, Wisconsin, including its Wausau Headquarters, plus branches in Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford, and is part of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service.

Click to view our: Mission, Vision, Principles | Fast Facts | Media/Press Info. | MCPL in the News

Mission, Vision, Principles ........................................................................................... [ back to top ]

Business we are in: Transforming Lives

Mission: To enrich lives by promoting lifelong learning, and actively providing the community with access to ideas, information, and opportunities to connect.

Vision: A democratic and informed society must have free, equal, and open access to information. We empower citizens to improve their lives, their governments, and their communities.

Guiding Principles:

• Literacy and Lifelong Learning for All Ages -- We envision a world in which everyone can read, write, evaluate information, and effectively apply technology to lead healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.
• Emerging Technologies -- We empower the people of Marathon County with the technology to connect to the world and the future.
• Form Strong Partnerships -- We provide opportunities to connect through partnerships with individuals, public and nonprofit agencies, community groups, educators, and businesses.
• Equitable Access -- We provide access to a broad array of content, as well as training and assistance, to help people successfully navigate and use information.

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

FAST FACTS For 2010 ....................................................................................................... [ back to top ]
(note: 2011 data will not be available until after the end of the year)

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

Population served: 130,962 (based on 2008 U.S. Census estimates) ^[1]

2010 Card Holders: 76,050 (residents of Marathon County); 3,123 (non-resident)

Facilities: Libraries are located in Wausau, Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, and Stratford. On average, each resident of Marathon County is assessed at the rate of about $31 a year in taxes for the public library—about the average cost of one hardcover book!

Meeting rooms: Available at all locations.

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.

2010 Website Visits: 959,350

2010 Annual Statistics:

• Items Checked Out: 1,127,055
• Items Delivered via our Homebound Program: 13,198
• Family Storytime Attendance: 3,145
• Adult Program Attendance: 3,731
• Summer Reading Program: Event Attendance: 9,165; Reading Club Participants: 4,003
  

2010 Staff: 49.025 FTE (Librarian: 6.0; Non-Librarian: 43.025)

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