Marathon County Public Library

November 21, 2018

This time of the year is the perfect time to start a series—it’s cold outside, there are upcoming holidays and books make great presents! And I’ve got some great recommendations for you! A lot of my recent (and not so recent) favorite books are part of a fantasy series. And while I could fill up a whole book case with what I think is awesome when it comes to fantasy, I also realized that there were probably fantasy series that I haven’t heard of, let alone read, yet.  I reached out to my co-workers, and here is a small sampling of fantasy series that we think are fantastic.  (No pun intended. Ok, maybe pun intended.) Our list covers everything from urban fantasy/horror with Lili St. Crow’s “...

April 12, 2018

Spring is here and, in spite of the great weather, the season also brings with it the time for AP testing. Sudents have spent their entire school year focused on improving their skills and learning content, trying to get a 4 or a 5, which equals college credits for them. But sometimes you need a little boost to get that elusive high score, and the library is here to help! Our collection development specialist and young adult librarian have gotten together and created a list of all the AP study materials available at the Marathon County Public Library's Wausau Headquarters. Students can visit the library here in Wausau to pick up materials or can request them to be sent to another one of our branch libraries...

March 28, 2018

Last month, the American Library Association announced its 2018 Youth Media Award Winners! These titles are considered to be the best current books for children, tweens and teens in literature. Take a look at this year's winners (and some of the runners-up) and see which ones appeal to you most. The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature was awarded to Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. Three Newbery Honor Books also were named: Crown, and Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds and Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson. The Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most...

August 7, 2017

If you’re like us, you’ve been eagerly anticipating the total solar eclipse that will happen on August 21, 2017. This out-of-this-world event is something that’s a long time coming, with the last total eclipse to be visible across the entire contiguous United States having happened in 1918 (and not since 1979 has a total eclipse been visible from the mainland United States). The next one will not occur until 2024, and who wants to wait that long to see one again? We here at MCPL have been talking about and planning our own Solar Eclipse Viewing Party for over a year and have tons of fun activities planned for patrons of all ages! Beginning at 11 a.m. on August 21 at our Wausau Headquarters, we’ll show...

July 6, 2017

Escape rooms are all the rage these days and the Marathon County Public Library is getting on board by offering its very own escape room for teens and adults! Will you be able to stop a zombie virus outbreak before it's too late?? Join us and find out! Dr. Johnson (who has been briefing you and your group about the important scientific experiments she's been conducting), has left her office to speak with a colleague. After snooping through the doctor’s files, you discover that Dr. Johnson has something more nefarious up her sleeve—a full-on zombie virus that she’s planning to unleash on the unsuspecting public! Worse yet…it’s airborne, and anyone who comes in contact with this virus is guaranteed to...

May 15, 2017

Join our Summer Reading Club to track your reading and other activities, and you’ll receive a reward at the end of summer!  Registration for all ages opens 5/30 at all MCPL locations and online at www.mcpl.us/slp. Children (Birth-Grade 5)  Calling all kids! We challenge you to read and perform acts of kindness this summer. Track your efforts on the reading log you’ll receive at registration. Show your log to library staff throughout the summer and turn it in by 8/12 to earn rewards! www.mcpl.us/kids Teens (Grades 6-12) Hey, teens! This summer, we’re challenging you to read, explore and improve your community. Upon registration, you’ll receive a BINGO-style reading and activity log...

March 30, 2017

Reading is a developmental process that every child reaches at their own pace. Not every six year-old is ready to learn to read, while some four year-olds are. Early reading instruction is something that most parents do naturally by reading to their children on a regular basis and inviting them to handle books.  By doing this, young children learn that there is a right way to read a book (i.e. reading left to right, top to bottom), as well as how a story is structured (i.e. beginning, middle and end).  They begin to match pictures with the words that Mom or Dad say. Some children even memorize a favorite book and are delighted to “read” it to their parents.  But what happens if you grow up in...

February 21, 2017

So, let’s say you’re a teen and you need a place to work on a poster or on a group project. Someplace where you can chat while you work or can take a break to do something else when you just can’t look at your homework one more second. The Marathon County Public Library knows that teens need a place all their own to hang out and be, well, teens! Enter Teen Time. With our Wausau Headquarters’ current second floor remodel, our TeenZone was relocated and lost a bit of space, but don’t let that stop you from coming to the library!  Twice monthly, we’ll offer teens a place to do whatever they need to do – work on homework and projects, socialize, learn new hobbies and skills, and more. Every two weeks we...

August 31, 2016

School is back in session, and with this comes all kinds of tests, projects and reports. What better place to gather research and study materials than your local library? In addition to books on everything from anthropology to Zentangle, MCPL has study guides for tests like the GED, ACT and LSAT that can be checked out. MCPL also has online resources for study purposes, including access to Explora, Britannica, LearningExpress and multiple databases via EBSCOhost. Need someone to administer proctored exams? MCPL has got you covered there, too, with trained staff members on-hand to set up and oversee your testing. Study rooms accommodating one to 10 people can also be reserved for private and group study...

August 30, 2016

Hey Teens! Every year the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) posts nominees selected by teen book groups and invites teens (meaning you!) to choose their favorites. You can see the nominees and vote for your favorites at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/teenstopten. You can also view book trailers for the books. MCPL’s Wausau Headquarters also has a display of the nominees in the second floor Teen Zone. This year’s selection has something for everyone, including Holly Black’s latest book “The Darkest Part of the Forest,” dealing with a fairy mystery hidden deep within suburban America, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s highly anticipated “Illuminae,” a sci fi story told through...

September 30, 2015

Marathon County Public Library is excited that we will be taking part in OverDrive’s Big Library Read program featuring two young adult e-books. Library card holders will be able to borrow and read "The Door in the Hedge" by Robin McKinley and/or "In the Shadow of Blackbirds" by Cat Winters starting midday Wednesday, October 7 and concluding at midnight on Monday, October 21 (U.S. EST) by visiting http://mcpl.us/catalogs/overdrive.   "The Door in the Hedge" opens a door into an enchanted world in this collection of original and retold fairy tales. Four short stories, two original and two cherished classics, take you into a magical world of whimsy, wonder, princesses and talking frogs. "In the...

April 8, 2015

There are plenty of things to celebrate in April, but one of my favorite is poetry. Here at MCPL in Wausau, we’ve got two activities to encourage you to experience poetry every day.  Come and build a poem with LEGO poetry in the TeenZone. Each LEGO has a word on it and you are invited to create a poem by using the words on the LEGOS.  It’s like magnetic poetry, but in three dimensions.  When you are done, take a picture with your phone, name the picture with the title of the poem (and your name if you want) and send it to us at teenzone@mcpl.us. We’ll post the poems to our Facebook page, so remember to like MCPL on Facebook to see your poem. Don’t have time to build a poem here?  Take...

April 6, 2015

Teens, have you ever felt like your voice wasn’t heard?  Or were there times when you spoke out about your truth?  Now you have the opportunity to share these by submitting an essay, poem, graphic novel or photograph about these times to Never Counted Out, a website created to connect teens with artists and writers.  Never Counted Out is the brain child of novelist, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, the author of Fat Angie.  e.E created the website after connecting with a depressed teen writer, after his teacher shared is creative writing sample with her.  When e.E. talked with young writer, she felt like she had made a special connection with him and wanted to create opportunities for other...

October 20, 2014

Earlier this month, teens had an opportunity to create their own urban legends using materials found in the library. This terrifying story was inspired by a picture of the Island Mill in Wausau (c. 1900-1919) from the Marathon County Historical Society, found in the Central Wisconsin Digitization Project.   The Mill By Damian Wendorf   My best friend, Devon, was talking to me about a story his dad told him. The story concerns three boy who were murdered in the 1960’s. The murder occurred on the Wisconsin River by the old saw mill.  First, the police found a bloody saw blade and a pool of blood on the floor of the mill. In the pool of blood lay a body of a fourteen year old boy...

May 27, 2014

Dreading assigned summer reading?  Have to spend hours in the car with your annoying younger siblings?  Mowing thousands of lawns this summer?  I may have a solution as close as your headphones and smartphone.  As I was scrolling around the internet this week, I discovered that Sync, sponsored by AudioFile Magazine is giving away free young adult audio books paired with either a classic or required reading book.  Sync is powered by Overdrive, so you will need to make sure that you have Overdrive downloaded to your computer, tablet or device. (Get Overdrive from your preferred app store or here.)  The files are in MP3 format and each pair is available for one week only, but the...

December 11, 2013

Need help finding resources for your National History Day project?  The Marathon County Public Library Reference Desk staff at MCPL Wausau are always ready to help you with your research. Contact the MCPL Wausau Reference Desk at 715-261-7230 to make an appointment with one of our reference desk staff for personalized help and recommended resources for your topic. Appointments are recommended, but not necessary. If you can't make it to the library, you may email ref@mcpl.us, chat with us online or take a look at some of our recommended online resources. How to access MCPL’s Online Resources for your research: Go to the Marathon County Public Library Website: www.mcpl.us Find “...

July 16, 2013

The long wait is over! The 2013 edition of Pixels & Pages features works of art and creative writing from teens all across Marathon County. Print copies are available at your local library. Click the image to the left to access the new issue online. After you’ve finished reading this year’s magazine, don’t forget to submit your work for next year.  During the past year, teens from Marathon County submitted more than 100 pieces of creative writing and visual art. Teen and staff judges selected a variety of pieces to be published in this magazine. Students from Wausau East High School's Graphic Communications III class prepared the material for publication. The magazine,...

January 29, 2013

The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books for children and young adults this week. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the awards encourage original and creative work. Please note this is a partial listing. Use the link at the bottom of this post for a complete list.   This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen -- Winner: Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children.       Creepy Carrots by Illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds -- Honor Book: Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children.        ...

November 3, 2012

Nintendo Wii is now available for students 8-12 years old in the Tween Scene at the Wausau Library!  The new gaming system offers tweens a new way to learn and experience gaming.   "Why do libraries celebrate gaming? Library gaming programs encourage interaction between patrons of all ages and cultures. As games have evolved over the years to become more dynamic – requiring more interaction and socialization amongst players – so have libraries, by re-energizing themselves as community learning centers. Libraries still provide traditional services, but continue to change by offering new formats like video games and programs like family gaming nights...." states the American Library...

September 18, 2012

A creative writing contest and workshop for grades 6-12. Teens throughout Marathon County are invited to submit their best original spine-chilling tales to be featured on the MCPL website! Winning entries will be featured in the 2013 edition of "Pixels & Pages," the library's annual magazine of teen creative writing and art, and excerpts two entries will be published in the October 18th issue of the City Pages!   Stories may be submitted online at www.mcpl.us/scarystory. (Stories should be at most 1,500 words, original and not published elsewhere.)   Plus, teens can attend our Scary Story Writing Workshop (Sat., 10/13, 2:00pm @ MCPL...

July 19, 2012

The following free movies will be shown at the MCPL Wausau Headquarters in July! Due to licensing restrictions, we cannot advertise the movies' titles online, but if you call 715-261-7200 or email us, we'll tell you. Otherwise, sign up for our monthly "Featured Events" email newsletter!  TEEN MOVIE NIGHT / Tue., 7/3, 6:00pm | Rated PG-13 (2012) 132 min  (film details) (request this DVD) (request the book) TEEN MOVIE NIGHT  / Tue., 7/31, 6:00pm  | Rated PG-13 (2012) 99 min (film details) (request this DVD)  

March 23, 2012

If you liked The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, try one of these dystopian young adult novels.   Variant by Wells, Robison E.           Blood Red Road by Young, Moira           The House of the Scorpion by Farmer, Nancy           Hole in the Sky by Hautman, Pete   Exodus by Bertagna, Julie             Dark Life by Falls, Kat             The Supernaturalist by Colfer, Eoin  ...

March 15, 2012

These books are on my e-reader and in my book bag. I heartily recommend all of them. If you can suspend reality for a while you will enjoy these fun, absorbing adventures. Happy reading!   Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey -- In 1192 A.D. on Wilde Island, Tess, the daughter of a cruel blacksmith, is accused of witchcraft and must flee, but when she meets a handsome and enigmatic warden of Dragonswood who offers her shelter, she does not realize that he too harbors a secret that may finally bring about peace among the races of dragon, human, and fairy. Janet Lee Carey definitely knows how to tell a story; you won’t be disappointed.         Dragon's Keep by Janet...

January 26, 2012

The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books for children and young adults this week. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the awards encourage original and creative work. Please note this is a partial listing. Please use the link at the bottom of this post for a complete list.   Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos -- Winner: John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax,...

October 18, 2011

Have you or a member of your family ever dreamed of being a writer?  Then don’t miss hearing nationally recognized author,  Marion Dane Bauer on Tuesday, October 25, 6:30pm at the John Muir Middle School auditorium in Wausau.  “My Story, Your Story:  Creating Stories Together” is a free, family-friendly presentation blending short readings from some of her books with tips for beginning writers.  Marion Dane Bauer has written 81 books, receiving a Newbery Honor Award for her book, On My Honor in 1987.  She has written books ranging from baby board books and picture books, to novels for tweens and teens, and books on writing for young people. Her books will be...

June 14, 2011

Improve your creative writing! Join us on Tuesday, 6/28, 6-8pm @ MCPL Wausau for a fun and helpful video chat session with Sarah Beth Durst, author of Ice, Enchanted Ivy, Drink, Slay, Love, and other books for young adults. We will also have a few writing activities to help kick-start your inner creativity. Both adults and teens are invited to this event. Bring your writing questions! ------------------------------------------------ View Sarah's website: www.SarahBethDurst.com Find Sarah's books in the Library Catalog: www.mcpl.us?author=Sarah Beth Durst Find books about "Creative Writing": www.mcpl.us?subject=Creative Writing  

December 9, 2010

MCPL is proud to announce: OverDrive's app for iPhone® & Android™ now supports eBooks. With the free OverDrive Media Console app, you can download both EPUB eBooks and MP3 audiobooks directly to your device. Get the app today and download library books on the go! E-books from the library are available for a variety of portable devices, and e-readers. Click here to see if your device is compatible. Go to MCPL's OverDrive Catalog to access e-books, audiobooks, and more! If you have questions, or would like help, call 715-261-7200 or email info@mcpl.us

December 6, 2010

Give us your best work for Marathon County Public Library's Teen Publishing Project! Submit artwork, poetry, stories, and essays for publication on our website and the chance to be featured in our second annual magazine. (Click here to see last year's magazine).   Hurry! Time is running out! Entries must be in by December 31, 2010. Click here to submit your work online, or if you'd rather submit a paper copy, click here for a printable submission form. You can check out the entries we've already published online, and see the complete rules at http://www.mcpl.us/teenzone/publishing/ Call (715) 261-7200 or email teenzone@mcpl.us for more info.

November 24, 2010

Thanks to students in Ryan Priebe’s art class at John Muir Middle School in Wausau,  the Library @ Wausau  has wonderful, original artwork to mark sections of Fiction books in the Teen Zone.    The letters  “A” by Danielle K. and “B” drawn by Alex S. are pictured here.   Other artists’ alphabet works on display are by Adam B., Renee H., Rachel S., Brad H., Miranda B., PJ Y., Tanner B., Curtis B., Patrick H., Samantha N., Kirsten M, Zenas L., Sydney H., and Miranda C. The artistic “letters” will be on display through the end of the school year, and new creations  will be in MCPL Teen Zone the following school year. Come and see these, and the rest of the...

November 17, 2010

Our friendly staff are happy to help during our regular hours of operation. If you can't make it to the Library in person, call the Reference Desk in Wausau at (715) 261-7230. You can also email us at ref@mcpl.us or use the "Ask a Librarian" window to communicate "live" with our Reference Staff. Be sure to check out our National History Day Help page with lots of great online resources and links to help with your project!

November 17, 2010

Teens are invited to submit their poetry, stories, essays, and artwork for publication on our website and the chance to be included in our second annual magazine! We’ve received dozens of entries to date, but we want more! General Guidelines: (complete rules: www.mcpl.us/teenzone/publishing) Include your full name (only first name, last initial will be published), grade, school, address, phone, title of your entry, and category (poem, story, visual) Entrants must be in 6-12th grade at time of entry. Entrants must be residents of Marathon County, WI. Entries must be newly-created original work of the entrant, must not infringe upon copyright laws. Entries must not have been previously...

October 30, 2010

Sat., 11/13, 1-4pm @ MCPL Wausau (Grades 6-12) -- Visit the Library for an afternoon of board games and video games! Plus, Johnny Cee Cards will be on-hand for awesome gaming demonstrations!  

September 10, 2010

The MCPL Teen Advisory Group (TAG) is a great opportunity for teens to make a difference at the Library! As part of TAG, teens recommend new materials for the library’s collection, assist with events, write reviews, create book displays, and help with other projects as needed. Members are asked to attend monthly meetings at the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau and volunteer for one hour each month. If you would like to join TAG, please complete and submit an Interest Sheet, Letter of Recommendation, and a Marathon County Volunteer Application. Please submit your applications by Friday, October 29th. Our next TAG meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 16th from 6:30-8:00 at MCPL...

June 24, 2010

Did you know the Library offers video games for checkout? This collection is only a few years old, but it's been growing rapidly in size and popularity. We offer video games for Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2, Playstation 3, X-Box, X-Box 360, Nintendo DS, PSP, and PC. We've just added a large number of video games for all platforms and age levels, so even if you've browsed this collection before, you'll want to look again today! The main collection is held at the MCPL Wausau Headquarters, but you can request these games for pick-up at any of our nine convenient locations throughout Marathon County! Video games may be kept for up to 14 days, with the ability to renew once for an additional 14 days (unless...

April 30, 2010

For Tuesday, May 11th, the Teen Book Club at MCPL Wausau will be reading Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer! "When a meteor hits the Moon, Miranda must learn to survive the unimaginable. Told in journal entries, this heart-pounding story chronicles Miranda's struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world." Click here to request Life as We Knew It. Click here to view other books by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Click here to read a more in-depth book review at BookPage.com --- For future Teen Book Clubs, plus other teen events, watch www.mcpl.us/teenzone For adult book clubs, visit www.mcpl.us/events/bookclubs

July 29, 2009

Are your kids and teens looking for something to do? Join us for these upcoming events in Wausau! Read to a Dog! for Young Readers. Thurdsay, July 30th from 1-3 pm at the Wausau Library.  Practice your reading with the most adorable friends. Certified Therapy Dogs from Therapy Dogs International will be on hand to listen to young readers. Hip-Hop and Modern Dance for Teens with professional choreographer and dancer Brenton Wildman. Tuesday, August 4th from 6-8 pm at the Wausau Library. Join us to learn some new moves. Afterwards, challenge your friends on DDR. Read to a Dog! for Young Readers. Thurdsay, August 6th from 1-3 pm at the Wausau Library.  Practice your reading with the...

June 16, 2009

Bob Kann captivated children and adults alike with juggling, magic tricks, tongue twisters, and games.  In this photo from the 2:00pm program he is teaching the audience how to juggle .  He is doing another program tonight at 6:30pm and at the Rothschild Elementary School this Thursday, June 18 at 11:00am and 1:30pm Don't miss out!  There are lots of fun, exciting programs planned for the Summer Library Program.  Check out the programs and activities for Children and for Teens this summer.  These programs are the best deal in town--they are FREE of charge.  And don't forget all of the books, DVD's, CD's, games and other items that are available for you...

May 29, 2009

How your children spend their summer matters. Research shows that how students spend their summer has an impact on their academic achievement during the school year. Reading this summer will help your teen succeed next fall. So how do you get them to read? Our recommendation: help them find something they want to read. Our staff at every location are are always happy to help you or your teen find a great book or graphic novel - stop in, call, email, or meebo!  You can also visit our teen page to find new books for teens available at MCPL. This summer MCPL is offering an added incentive for teens who read: a chance to win awesome prizes! Here’s how it works: Read books and/or graphic novels....

February 27, 2008

Now is your chance to use your talent and WIN! In celebration of Teen Literature Day on April 17th, we are holding a short story writing contest. The contest will be open to Marathon County students grades 7-12, with prizes being awarded in four categories: winner for grades 7 & 8; winner for grades 9 & 10; winner for grades 11 & 12; and one overall contest winner. Submissions for the contest should be ten pages or less, include your full name, phone number, current grade and school, and must be received at the Wausau Headquarters library by April 11th or a branch library by April 4th. Prizes will be in the form of gift certificates.  You can also submit electronically by emailing a Word...

September 26, 2007

Wausau Library customers will have noticed several changes at the Library. First of all, the TeenZone has been relocated to the Second Floor. Teens should enjoy the newopen, airy location as it offers lots and lots of space to chill!   Secondly, the Short Story collection has been moved next to the Adult Fiction shelves on the 1st Floor. The move creates a one-stop shopping destination for Fiction lovers. Other changes are in the works as the Library re-invents itself to better serve our customers. So stop in and have a look at the changing face of MCPL!

September 12, 2007

Check out our Teen Zone. It has moved to the second floor.  There are still many great updates to come - but this is the first part of the transition. There is more space to spread out, open shelving, and lots of sunlight. What are you waiting for? Come and hang out! It is a great place to do homework, read, or just relax. And don't forget, we're wireless, so you can bring your portable devices with you!