May 28, 2021

Another summer brings a new selection of children's books compiled for your consideration by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)! Parents and caregivers are encouraged to explore the following lists to find books that may match or spark their child's interest: Birth–Preschool Kindergarten–Grade 2 Grades 3–5 Grades 6–8 Alternatively, paper copies of these lists are available at MCPL locations for a limited time, and PDF versions of these lists are linked on the ALSC website. For assistance requesting these books, or for a stack children's books hand-picked by library staff, please contact your local MCPL. For even more reading ideas, visit the...

Children Early Literacy Reading Recommendations Summer Library Program

January 1, 2021

January 1–31, 2021, the Marathon County Public Library will participate in Beanstack's Fourth Annual Winter Reading Challenge, sponsored by Simon & Schuster! "Books Like Us" is a celebration of diversity, harnessing the transformative power of seeing oneself reflected in a book. Participating communities are invited to explore these books, created by authors from diverse backgrounds. We challenge our patrons to read at least 10 hours during the month and keep track of their reading on the Beanstack app or website, accessible via www.mcpl.us/beanstack. Thousands of libraries and schools across the nation will encourage their communities to read a target number of minutes and books. Top-performing...

Reading Recommendations

December 2, 2020

If you’re a parent of a young child and have been missing the Marathon County Public Library's popular 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, we have great news: you and your child can now participate in the program virtually via the Beanstack app! Never heard of Beanstack? It’s a web-based reading club platform that allows families to track the books that they read virtually. You can make a profile for each reader in your household, scan the barcode on books to add them to your virtual bookshelf, track the number of minutes each reader has read, chart your reading progress, join reading challenges, and so much more! The app is free to download in both the Apple App Store and in Google Play, and usually...

Adults Children Early Literacy Online Resources

September 3, 2020

On September 1, Netflix launched a new 12-episode collection called Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices. The show, which you can watch with your Netflix account – or for FREE without a subscription on the Netflix Jr. YouTube page – features prominent Black celebrities and artists reading children’s books by Black authors about Black kids. Some of the featured celebrities include Lupita Nyong’o, Karamo Brown, Common, Misty Copeland, Tiffany Haddish and Jacqueline Woodson. For more about the series, click here or watch the trailer below!  Want to read the books that are featuring in Bookmarks, or check them out so you can follow along to the episodes at home? See the titles below and click on the...

Authors Books Children Early Literacy Reading Recommendations Video

August 15, 2020

Found in a bright orange case, you may have checked out Playaways or Playaway Views in the past, which are similar to audiobooks. Or maybe a Playaway Book Pack, that allows children to listen to a book while following the worlds on the page. Now, MCPL is offering a fun new technology from Playaway: Playaway Launchpads! Similar to a tablet, Launchpads contain pre-loaded apps on a variety of subjects, including math, animals, puzzles and logic, learning foreign languages and more. These apps contain a mixture of learning-based games and activities, helping your child learn important concepts while having fun at the same time. Each Launchpad is geared for different age ranges and grade levels, which helps make...

Children Early Literacy Education Language Learning Learning Technology

July 17, 2020

Are you or your child running out of fun and engaging titles to read during the COVID-19 pandemic? Then call any of the nine Marathon County Public Library locations and we will hand-pick titles for you and your children! Need new read-alouds before bed for your baby or preschooler? We would love to prepare a stack of our story time favorites and new books for you by request via curbside pick-up! Have a tween that loves fantasy, or the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and they've run out of books? We have a bunch of new titles we can pull and have ready for your child! Or maybe you need a good mystery or thriller for yourself? The great thing about the library is, books are free to check-out...

Books Children COVID-19 Libraries Reading Recommendations Tweens

June 9, 2020

With recent events in America, it is more important than ever to expose young children to people of all races and ethnicities. It is never too early to start talking to children about race and its place in our country. Parents, caregivers, and educators have the power and responsibility to broaden children's understanding of the world. Talking about race may be intimidating and uncomfortable, so check out this great article by embracerace.org that gives small talking points and advice on how to start the conversation with children. Representation in children's books is very unequal. Studies show that children need to see people that look like them in books and other media to form a positive self...

Authors Books Children Community Early Literacy Reading Recommendations

May 5, 2020

Arnold Lobel first introduced the world to Frog and Toad in 1970 and the pair have been delighting young readers (and their caregivers) for years. Two friends, a frog and a toad, go on everyday adventures in this series of early reader chapter books. They fly a kite, bake cookies, rake leaves, and more, all while enjoying each other’s company in this four book series. Celebrate Lobel’s stories about friendship by not only reading a favorite Frog and Toad book, but by sending a letter to a friend! During these socially distant times, friendship and connection is more important than ever. Harper Collins Publishers put out an activity kit that includes a letter template for kids to use to write a letter to a...

Books Children

April 30, 2020

One of the most popular questions at the Youth Services reference desk is, “where are the Dog Man books?!” These graphic novels are wildly popular with kids and tweens due to their quick-witted humor, fast-paced plots, hilarious illustrations and pun-ny titles. Kids devour these books - sometimes in one sitting! If your young one has already read all of the titles in the Dog Man series and are wanting more, listed below are some other graphic novels that Dog Man lovers will gobble up!

Books Children Graphic Novels Reading Recommendations

January 28, 2020

On Monday, January 27, 2020, the American Library Association announced the winners of the Youth Media Awards. These outstanding materials are selected by committees of librarians and other literature or media experts. They are meant to guide parents, librarians and educators towards quality works for children. Some of the Youth Media Awards you may recognize: the John Newbery Medal, which recognizes the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children; the Caldecott Award, which is awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children; and the Printz Award, which is awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to...

Awards Books Children Reading Recommendations Youth Media Awards

August 20, 2019

By now, you’ve probably heard that a child’s brain grows to 80% of its adult size by the age of 3. Did you also know that young children who hear at least 1,000 books are more ready to read once they enter kindergarten?  If you want a fun and easy way to keep track of your child’s reading, help grow their brain, and earn incentives (like picture books and a book bag), join our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program! 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is aimed at children from birth through preschool, and parents/caregivers can register their child for the program at any time. Upon registration, you will receive a book bag and a folder that contains a sticker sheet, a parent letter and a reading log...

Children Reading Recommendations Newsletter

August 1, 2019

Along with summer comes road construction, so our youth services staff at MCPL Wausau has designed a fun, interactive space in our Early Literacy Center for young children to learn all about construction! Throughout the month of August, children can dress up like a construction worker using goggles, a hardhat and more at our dramatic play center; build with wooden blocks; and drive model diggers and cars around the carpeted town. You can read the story Tip Tip Dig Dig (one of my personal favorites) and then re-tell the story using flannel pieces. There are plenty of construction puzzles, magnets, sorting activities and, of course, a vast array of construction books to enjoy together. The construction theme...

Children Early Literacy Libraries

July 24, 2019

The Marathon County Public Library's Wausau Headquarters currently offers five different story times throughout the year for children of various ages and their parents/caregivers. While these story times will all continue to be offered, MCPL will begin dividing up the calendar year into three trimesters - summer, fall and winter/spring - with short story time breaks between each trimester. This new schedule will start next month. The current summer session will come to a close on Saturday, August 3. Then, from August 4 through Labor Day (September 2), we will be on a brief story time break so that library staff can prepare for the next set of sessions. The fall session will then commence on Tuesday,...

Libraries Story Times Children

June 8, 2019

This summer, blast off with your child in the Marathon County Public Library's Early Literacy Center (ELC)! Throughout the summer months, you can help your child build his or her pre-reading skills in a fun, interactive outer spaced-themed environment!  Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before learning how to read and write. Early literacy skills include background knowledge (how the world works), vocabulary, phonological awareness (knowing the smaller sounds in words), letter knowledge, narrative skills (telling a story), and print awareness (knowing that print has meaning and how a book works). In the months of June and July, visit MCPL Wausau for a space-themed...

Children Libraries Early Literacy Learning

April 28, 2019

In preparation for the Summer Library Program, we will be taking a break from our regular story time schedule at the Marathon County Public Library - Wausau Headquarters! There will be no story times May 6 through June 7, 2019. Story times will resume on Saturday, June 8, 2019.  Please note: Play & Learn will continue to meet during this time period.

Children

January 31, 2019

The American Library Association has announced its 2019 youth media award winners earlier this week! These awards celebrate the most outstanding and high quality materials for children and teens. They are selected by committees of librarians and other literature or media experts and are meant to guide parents, librarians and educators towards quality works for children. Check out the latest winners from MCPL. For a full list of all award winners, visit the ALA website. The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature was awarded to Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina. Two Newbery Honor Books also were named: The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani and The...

Awards Youth Media Awards Books Children Reading Recommendations

November 15, 2018

In the months of November and December, you will find jungle-themed activities and books in our Early Literacy Center at MCPL Wausau. “Early literacy” is a term for what children know about reading and writing before learning how to read and write. They develop these skills by talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing with a caregiver. In the jungle, you can say hello to Gerald the Giraffe, a four foot stuffed animal alongside our safari jeep. Go on safari and talk with your child about what animals they see, what kind of terrain they are driving on, and more! Using the safari jeep is a great time to talk with your children and let their imaginations soar. You will also find a “matching animal halves...

Early Literacy Books Children

August 24, 2018

This summer, several MCPL locations offered a Summer Craft Day, where kids and families could make a variety of crafts based on popular children’s songs to coincide with our Summer Library Program theme of “Libraries Rock!”  If you and your family missed this craft day, you can still make one of the crafts using a few things found around your home! Provided below are the instructions for making your very own monkey hat, in celebration of the song “Five Little Monkeys.”  Supplies:  2 pieces of brown construction paper  1 piece of tan construction paper 2 googly eyes glue  stapler black marker Cut one of the brown pieces of construction paper in half. Place the...

Newsletter Children Events

July 3, 2018

Wisconsin’s first ever LENA Start sessions are complete! A wide range of Marathon County families participated in LENA Start, a program designed to measure how much verbal interaction a child hears in the first three years of his or her life. A total of 18 families graduated from the program this past May, making the first sessions of the program a success!  In order to graduate, parents had to attend nine parenting sessions where they learned how to talk with their child (as opposed to talking at them). The classes taught parents how to use more adult words, conversational turns, and less TV and electronic noise. In addition to attending classes, families also had to turn in eight audio recordings...

Children LENA Early Literacy Newsletter

June 14, 2018

The Marathon County Public Library is set to unveil its new Early Literacy Center, a special section in the children’s area of its Wausau Headquarters designed especially for children 0-5 years! The opening of the center will be commemorated with special ribbon cutting ceremony with the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce at 11 a.m. on June 20. Early literacy is a term used to describe what children know about language before learning how to read. This includes knowing what letters look and sound like, knowing words that rhyme, knowing how a book works and that printed text has meaning. These concepts are learned by children through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing with a caregiver...

Children Early Literacy Libraries

January 19, 2018

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 caregivers may simply not be talking enough or using a variety of words to build a child’s brain! This is where LENA Start can benefit many children in our community. LENA stands for Learning ENvironment Analysis. The LENA System measures the early language environment of children ages birth to 32 months. Using a “talk pedometer” that children wear in a...

Children Community Early Literacy Health Resources LENA

February 4, 2017

The American Library Association has announced its 2017 youth media award winners! The Marathon County Public Library owns copies of ALL of the major winners and runners-up, so feel free to click the links for each title below and place a hold on these titles today! For a full list of all award winners, visit the ALA website. The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature was awarded to The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. Three Newbery Honor Books also were named: Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan, The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz, and Wolf...

Awards Books Reading Recommendations Youth Media Awards Children

September 15, 2016

In the supernatural/horror/mystery television drama "Stranger Things," a young boy goes missing in small town Indiana in the 1980s. His mother, the police chief, and his friends must face a superatural monster and a top-secret government facility to get him back.    This series, which premiered on Netflix back in July, has captivated viewers young and old with its suspense, gripping storylines and wildly original characters. If you've already binged watched season one and can't get enough, below is a list of books similar in story and tone, which will (hopefully) tide you over until season two premieres in 2017!     "The Boy Who Drew Monsters" by Keith Donohue...

Reading Recommendations

August 24, 2016

MCPL’s Spanish Bilingual Story Time will now be held Mondays at 9:30 a.m. instead of Wednesdays at 10 a.m., effective Monday, September 12, 2016! With English and Spanish as the two most-used languages in the United States, bilingualism will only become more important as the children of today get older. Young children’s minds are like sponges; they absorb more information in the first three years of life than any other time! By exposing children to both English and Spanish early on, they reap many benefits besides the ability to speak and understand both languages. Bilingualism helps children learn new words more easily, improves their listening skills and gives them the greater ability to put words into...

Children

April 27, 2016

Marathon County Public Library is extending its observance of National Library Week (April 10-16) throughout the month of April by highlighting its employees through a series of staff profiles! Now through April 30, learn a little bit about the personnel at our nine MCPL locations, and feel free to give them a friendly "hello" next time you see them! Name: Taylor W. Job title: Library Specialist MCPL Location: Wausau Headquarters Time Worked at MCPL: 3 ½ years   What are some of your main job responsibilities?  I work at the desk in the children’s area, lead story times, and create programs for school-aged kids.   What nicknames, if any, do you go by? My family and...

National Library Week Library Staff Libraries

April 26, 2016

The popular HBO television series "Game of Thrones" is back for its sixth season! Based on the popular fantasy book series by author George R.R. Martin, "Game of Thrones" seems to appeal to both adult and teen readers alike. If you can’t get enough of the dragons, schemes and drama that fill Westeros in the HBO hit, check out these young adult read-a-likes recommended by the Young Adult Library Services Association!   "An Ember in the Ashes series " by Sabaa Tahir – Laia is a Scholar, the lowest of the low, and her brother has been taken by The Masks. He is her only living family member and she will risk her life to find him. Elias is a Mask but he doesn’t want to be. Laia and...

Reading Recommendations

January 15, 2016

It’s that time of year: the American Library Association has announced its 2016 youth media award winners! Over 20 awards were given out, including the Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott King and Printz winners, with nearly all of the winning titles available for check-out through the Marathon County Public Library. Take a look at a few of the major winning titles below!   "Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña – The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature was awarded to Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. This is the first time in ALA history that a picture has won this...

Awards Books Reading Recommendations Youth Media Awards Children

April 29, 2015

Many of our locations will be participating in a story time break before our Summer Library Program begins to accommodate school visits and prepare for our summer programs. Athens, Hatley and Rothschild will continue to have regularly scheduled story times. Marathon City will continue to have regulary scheduled story times but will not meet on May 28th. Wausau will have no story times in the month of May, except for the Family Resource Center’s Play & Learn story time on Fridays. Story times will resume in June, along with Sweet Dreams Story Time Monday nights at 6:30. Some story times may be cancelled due to scheduled Summer Library Program events. See our brochure for these events. Edgar,...

Children Story Times Summer Library Program

April 2, 2015

If you are a parent, guardian, grandparent, or child caregiver, we would like your input! Raisgreatkids.org is a local website put out by a collaborative effort of community partners under the Early Years Coalition. Marathon County Public Library is a member of this coalition, and we need your help completing a survey. As part of our efforts to make RaiseGreatKids.org a better site for our users, we need your help. We would like to get both your thoughts and feedback on Raise Great Kids as well as gather more information about how you use the internet to search for information you find valuable about children. Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. Your feedback will be invaluable in helping...

Children Early Literacy Websites

September 22, 2014

The Wisconsin Science Festival is a statewide celebration of science focused on curiosity, creativity and community. Based in Madison, but spread out across the state, a variety of interactive science programs will be offered October 16-19, 2014. Visit their website for a full listing of state-wide events. Here at Marathon County Public Library, we will be hosting two events at MCPL-Wausau in partnership with the Wisconsin Science Festival. Children in grades K-5 can join us for Grossology on October 16 from 6:30-7:30pm. School-aged children will learn about all of the gross things the human body does with demonstrations and experiments. Then, on Saturday October 18, Colossal Fossils, a Wisconsin non-...

Children Wisconsin

July 23, 2014

Music has many benefits to children of all ages; it gives children an outlet for expression, it breaks down language so children hear the smaller sounds in words (also known as phonological awareness), and music stimulates brain development in specific areas including language and reasoning. So, what can you do so your child gets the most out of music? Encourage your child to make his or her own music with household items. Play music in your home and encourage your child to sing and dance. And, even if you have a terrible singing voice, sing to your child! Your child will not care what your voice sounds like, just be enthusiastic and expressive. Sing nursery rhymes, make up songs that rhyme together, and even...

Children Early Literacy Music

July 11, 2014

The first 1000 days of a child's life will influence his or her future academic achievement greatly. A child's brain is only about 25% developed at birth and develops to about 85% at age 3, or about 1000 days old. Marathon County's Early Years Coalition is taking proactive steps to ensuring parents have information and support for those first 1000 days so they raise great kids. The Wausau Daily Herald interviewed members of the coalition in the hopes of spreading the word about what parents can do to ensure their child is healthy, safe, ready for school, and great! Check out the links to other episodes and information to see how you can raise a great child in Marathon County. New episodes will air Fridays...

Early Literacy Children Magazines and Newspapers

June 4, 2014

Congratulations to Nathanael and Elizabeth Acker, Marathon County Public Library’s June Volunteers of the Month! Nathanael and Elizabeth are a mother-son team who volunteer together at the Wausau Headquarters. They specifically help in the Teen Zone, shifting books and helping change 14 day books to 28 day books. They are always on time, pleasant, and work hard at what they are doing. Outside of volunteering, Nathanael enjoys reading, drawing, building with Legos, and videogames. Elizabeth enjoys reading and spending time with family. They decided to volunteer at the library because they both enjoy reading and books. Thank you, Nathanael and Elizabeth, for all your hard work at Marathon County Public...

Volunteering

May 30, 2014

Developing self-esteem is important to children because confidence will help them in school and life in general. You start developing your child’s self-esteem at birth by being responsive--talking, singing, reading, and being playful. These are also practices that will set foundations for your child’s reading readiness! By being responsive, your child will start to understand who they are and what they do matters to "the world"-- a.k.a. you, the caregiver! By interacting and responding to your child, he or she responds, and you respond back.  As your interactions continue, the child’s self-esteem and trust in you as a caregiver grows and gains strength. For more information about childhood self-esteem and...

Children Books

May 3, 2014

Congratulations to Stacey Stencil, Marathon County Public Library’s May Volunteer of the Month! Stacey volunteers at the Wausau Headquarters where she helps staff with a variety of activities. She helps with the Homebound program, Summer Library Program, children’s programs, and any other tasks staff needs assistance with. Stacey started volunteering because her mom works at the library. “My mom inspires me. Seeing how she helps people makes me want to do the same,” says Stacey. Besides volunteering, Stacey enjoys cooking, baking, photography, and reading. Thank you, Stacey, for all your hard work and dedication to Marathon County Public Library.

Volunteering

April 28, 2014

Your child needs positive human interaction to fully develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. Human interaction includes simple tasks such as talking, singing, playing, writing and reading; the five suggested practices to get your child ready to read! Through human interaction, your child’s brain will develop to its fullest potential and he or she will feel loved and be more willing to learn, listen and grow. How can you interact with your child? Below are a few ideas: Play with your child outside, or play make believe inside Talk with your child about his or her day, favorite color, or anything you can think of! Sing favorite songs, sing sentences in books, or make up silly songs that rhyme...

Children Early Literacy

April 7, 2014

Are you trying to tackle the task of potty training your child? Check out the titles below to share with your child. The Family Resource Center is also available to answer questions and provide support while potty training.  No More Diapers for Ducky  On Your Potty, Little Rabbit Caillou: No More Diapers Calliou: Potty Time Dinosaur vs. the Potty Have You Seen My Potty? Ian's New Potty My Big Girl Potty The Prince and the Potty My Potty Book for Boys Pete's Potty Potty Duck Goes Potty A Potty for Me! Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Tot: The Toilet Training Songbook You Can Go to the Potty Your New Potty Once Upon a Potty: Boy Once Upon a Potty: Girl  

Children Books

March 3, 2014

Congratulations to Jessica Timler, Marathon County Public Library’s March Volunteer of the Month! Jessica volunteers at the Hatley branch where she enjoys working with kids during the Summer Library Program and helps staff with other duties such as straightening shelves. Jessica has been volunteering for about a year and always has an upbeat attitude and is willing to accept any task that needs to be completed. Thank you, Jessica, for all of your hard work and commitment to Marathon County Public Library!

Volunteering

February 17, 2014

Make an extra effort to show affection to your child, especially while reading. Kids need a nurturing, healthy relationship to prosper academically. When your child feels loved, he or she is more willing to learn, listen, and grow and will therefore do better in school! Visit http://www.raisegreatkids.org/physical-affection-tips-every-parent-and-caregiver-needs-know for more information. Reading is a great way to show your child affection. Have your child sit on your lap while you read, read and snuggle before bedtime together or, if your child is a baby or toddler, attend a lap-sit story time. All of these activities promote parent-child bonding and early literacy. Check out these picture books about...

Children Reading Recommendations Story Times

February 3, 2014

Congratulations to Janice Berry, Marathon County Public Library’s February Volunteer of the Month! Janice volunteers at the Mosinee branch where she is a great help to staff. She is a retired professor of nursing and has three children and six grandchildren. Besides volunteering, Janice enjoys gardening, reading, and sewing. Thank you, Janice, for all of your hard work and dedication to Marathon County Public Library.  

Volunteering

January 6, 2014

Congratulations to Tyler Schluender, Marathon County Public Library's January Volunteer of the Month! Tyler volunteers at the Rothschild branch where he helps staff with various projects. He is in three times a week for three to four hours and always has a positive attitude. According to staff, Tyler is a vital help at Rothschild. Thank you, Tyler, for all your hard work and dedication to Marathon County Public Library. {{2014-2-1}}

Volunteering

December 11, 2013

Due to the holiday season, all MCPL locations will be taking a break from all regularly scheduled story times. The Edgar branch will start this break the week of December 16, and all other MCPL locations will break December 22, 2013-January 4, 2014. All regularly scheduled story times will resume the week of January 6, 2014. Even though there are no story times, there are still plenty of things to do at the library! You can do puzzles, play games, read books, and check out book bundles to put on your own story time at home. Book bundles come with a set of themed books and an early literacy sheet with suggested songs, fingerplays, and activities to get your child ready...

Children Story Times

December 10, 2013

Congratualtions to Jed Zarnke, Marathon County Public Library's December Volunteer of the Month! Jed volunteers in the support services area at the Wausau Headquarters. Jed cleans CDs and DVDs that are worn down or scratched, greatly helping the AV collection. Jed is in three mornings a week and is a great help to staff. Thank you, Jed, for your time and commitment to Marathon County Public Library!  

Volunteering

November 6, 2013

Congratulations to Laura Glassford, Marathon County Public Library's November Volunteer of the Month! Laura volunteers at the Wausau Headquarters and is a great help with the Homebound Program.

Volunteering

October 1, 2013

Congratulations to Krystyna Konieczny, Marathon County Public Library’s October Volunteer of the Month! Krystyna has been volunteering at Wausau Headquarters and has been a great help with sorting books, helping staff get ready for programs, and assisting kids with crafts. Besides volunteering, Krystyna works at Polito’s Pizza and goes to school at North Central Technical College. “I first started volunteering because I wanted to get experience in the work field,” says Krystyna about why she volunteers. “I wanted to spend my time helping others.” Thank you Krystyna, for all your help and efforts at Marathon County Public Library.  

Volunteering

September 24, 2013

Traveling Tales kits are new, improved and ready to use! Now stored in clear, easy to carry bags, our kits have endured a makeover and are available for checkout. Located in the children’s department in Wausau, Traveling Tales include themed books, CDs and in some, a puppet. These kits are a great tool for parents, homeschooling families, and daycares. Traveling Tales help promote early literacy and reading readiness for little ones in a fun and exciting way. Check out a kit or put one on hold today! Find "Traveling Tales" in the Library Catalog (V-Cat): www.mcpl.us?k=traveling+tales+kit.  

Children Books Reading Recommendations

September 3, 2013

Congratulations to Bernadette Schluender, Marathon County Public Library’s September Volunteer of the Month! Bernadette volunteers at Marathon County Public Library’s Rothschild Branch where she helps shelve books. Bernadette has been volunteering for about five months and volunteers because she loves to read books. Besides reading, Bernadette also enjoys sewing. Thank you, Bernadette, for all your help and dedication to Marathon County Public Library.

Volunteering

August 31, 2013

Congratulations to Kitty Geringer, Marathon County Public Library's August Volunteer of the Month! Kitty volunteers at Rothschild where she helps shelve books. She has been volunteering for almost a year and also enjoys gardening, biking, and walking her dog. Kitty is retired from the Ashland School District and volunteers "because I finally have time to give back and I enjoy shelving books. It is amazing the amount of books and people that go through the Rothschild branch." Thank you, Kitty, for all of your hard work and dedication to Marathon County Public Library. {{2013-7-31}}

Volunteering

July 1, 2013

Congratulations to Abigail Hoyt, Marathon County Public Library’s July Volunteer of the Month! Abigail has been volunteering at the Wausau Headquarters for about one and a half years and is currently president of MCPL’s Teen Advisory Group. “I love the library and I know a lot of work goes into running it,” says Abigail about why she volunteers. “Volunteering is how I can help get things done. Plus, who doesn’t like being around that many books?” At the library, Abigail enjoys die-cutting, pulling books, and working on the Little Free Libraries project. Abigail is interested in reading, writing, horseback riding and swimming. She is a graduated senior, a lifeguard, and swim instructor. Thank you, Abigail...

Volunteering

June 3, 2013

Congratulations to Liz Vehlow, Marathon County Public Library’s June Volunteer of the Month!  Liz volunteers at Wausau Headquarters and has been a great help sorting book carts and putting books in order.  Liz is a committed volunteer who comes in every week and has been volunteering for about a year.  She has a great relationship with staff and always has a smile. Liz is a retired registered nurse and enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, and photography. Thank you Liz for all of your hard work and dedication! {{2013-6-30}}  

Volunteering

May 4, 2013

Congratulations to Kathy Drobnik, Marathon County Public Library’s May Volunteer of the Month! Kathy has been volunteering at the Hatley branch for about a year. She shelves books and does whatever else staff needs help with. Kathy comes in consistently each week to help. She is dependable, and a great volunteer at the Hatley branch. Thank you, Kathy, for all of your hard work and dedication to Marathon County Public Library. 

Volunteering

April 1, 2013

Congratulations to Amanda Westerhaus, Marathon County Public Library’s April Volunteer of the Month! Amanda has been volunteering at the Wausau Headquarters for about 5 months and has been a great help organizing items to be shelved. Amanda has a great relationship with staff and volunteers almost every day of the week. Besides volunteering, Amanda is also interested in American History and Agatha Christie mysteries. Amanda majored in History at St. Norbert College. “Volunteering at MCPL further contributes to my rising passion for reading,” says Amanda. Thank you, Amanda, for all of your hard work and dedication to Marathon County Public Library. {{20

Volunteering

February 28, 2013

Congratulations to Sue Wolslegel, Marathon County Public Library’s March Volunteer of the Month! Sue has been volunteering at Wausau for 25 years and has been an amazing help working with the homebound program. “I could not effectively do the homebound outreach program without the help of Sue,” says Paula Langenhahn, homebound program coordinator. Sue helps package items for homebound delivery, records selections, and addresses labels and envelopes. Sue is a retired radiologic technologist and enjoys reading, gardening, and sewing projects. “The library is my absolute favorite place,” says Sue. “The staff is so helpful and friendly. I love helping make books available to everyone, especially homebound...

Volunteering

February 1, 2013

Congratulations to Maura Hanicker, Marathon County Public Library’s February Volunteer of the Month!  Maura started volunteering at the Rothschild branch when she was 14 years-old, and has been there for about three years now.   Maura is a senior in high school and works at the Aspirus YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor.  Besides volunteering, Maura also spends her time sewing, beading, or doing anything crafty.  She loves helping with Summer Library Program projects and shelving books. “I like helping people,” says Maura about why she volunteers at Marathon County Public Library’s Rothschild branch.  “I have also been considering going to school to become a librarian…I...

Volunteering

January 14, 2013

Congratulations to Courtney Mullen, Marathon County Public Library’s January Volunteer of the Month!  Courtney volunteers at the Wausau Headquarters location and has been a great help with weeding non-fiction materials.  She is currently helping staff take down extra shelving units in the adult non-fiction area and helping to re-shelve materials.  Courtney is at the library weekly and has a great relationship with staff members.  Thank you, Courtney, for all of your hard work and dedication to Marathon County Public Library. {{2013

Volunteering

December 10, 2012

Congratulations to Sharon Stachnik, Marathon County Public Library’s December Volunteer of the Month!  Sharon volunteers at Marathon County Public Library’s Hatley branch where she shelves books, cleans and does anything else staff asks.  Sharon volunteers at Hatley because her #1 hobby is reading.  “I think our libraries are a treasure,” says Sharon.  “Our community is very proud of our local library--it really makes our town special!”  Besides reading, Sharon also enjoys quilting and is a member of a local quilting club.  She is dependable, hardworking, and a great asset to the Hatley branch.  Thank you, Sharon, for your commitment and great service to Marathon County...

Volunteering

December 5, 2012

Due to the holiday season, Marathon County Public Library will have a break in story times. No need to worry though, Book Bundles are here! By checking out a Book Bundle, you can put on an educational story time for your children at home. Each Book Bundle has a set of three themed books and an accessory sheet. The accessory sheets have suggested songs, fingerplays, and early literacy activities that match the theme of the books. Some themes we have include “Bears and Hibernation,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Under the Sea,” and many more. Book Bundles are currently located near the picture books and “favorite characters” shelf in the Wausau Children's Department. Simply pick out a theme and check it out at the...

Books Children

November 6, 2012

Congratulations to Judy Cypher, Marathon County Public Library’s November Volunteer of the Month!  Judy volunteers at the Wausau Headquarters location and has been a great help with weeding materials.  Judy is a committed volunteer who comes in four days a week.  She is willing to undertake any task and has a great relationship with the Wausau library staff.  Thank you Judy for all of your hard work and dedication!   {{20

Volunteering