Outdoor Family Story Time
Children Join us at the library in the warmer months for family story time outdoors!
Visit your local MCPL for events and activities for all ages, including books clubs, arts & crafts, movie nights, computer classes, author visits, writing workshops, wellness events, informational presentations and more!
Follow this webpage or subscribe to our e-newsletter for the most recent schedule of library events for adults at our locations in Wausau, Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer and Stratford.
We also publish featured events on our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Outdoor Family Story Time: Marathon City
Children Bring your family to a series of outdoor story times at the library!
![event example [11094]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/11090.jpg)
History Chats: Villages of Marathon County
Adults Join the Marathon County Historical Society for a series of weekly, virtual chats about a variety of interesting local history topics! In August, they'll discuss some of the county's villages!
Friends of MCPL Members-Only Sale
Adults Drop-in Our Friends of MCPL welcome members of the group for a monthly sale on the third Saturday! If you're not a member, you can join on the spot to access all the great material!
![event example [10987]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/8160.jpg)
Wausau Plant Swap
All-Ages Drop-in Stop by the library the week of Aug. 15-20 to take a plant home or leave extra or unwanted plants for someone else!
Wausau Play & Learn Story Time
Children Join us in Wausau every Wednesday for a story, music, crafts and much more with a special story time led by Children's Wisconsin!
Book Club: "The Lost Apothecary"
Adults Anyone is invited to join the library staff and fellow book lovers for a discussion of a wide variety of books each month, including Penner's 2021 novel "The Lost Apothecary."
Tween Book Club: Fantastic Books & Where to Find Them
Kids & Teens Registration Tweens ages 8-14 are invited to join us at the library over the summer for a new book club! For our last gathering of the summer we'll be talking about science fiction and fantasy books!
Book of the Month: "The Keeper of Happy Endings"
Adults Drop-in Stop by the library in August to pick up their Book of the Month selection, Davis's 2021 novel, along with questions and comments about the book.
Cancelled: Grab & Go Locker Decorations
Teens Drop-in We're sorry, this craft was so popular we've run out of supplies for the rest of the month! Thank you for your interest.
![event example [10701]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/10702.jpg)
3D Goldfish
Children Drop-in Stop by any MCPL location in August for our final SLP grab and go kit of the summer as we explore "Oceans of Possibilities!" This month, our craft will be a 3D goldfish!
Knotted Sailor Bracelet
Adults & Teens Drop-in Anchors away with our August grab and go craft for adults (perhaps for teens, too!) Stop by any MCPL location and pick up a kit to make your own sailor bracelet!
Trail Tales
Children Drop-in Families are encouraged to walk through Oak Island Park this summer for another fun season of Trail Tales! Enjoy nature and the books "Chirp" and "The Bad Seed" at the same time!
![event example [11092]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/11092.jpg)
History Speaks: The Story of the Badger Ammunition Plant
Adults Join the Marathon County Historical Society and author Michael Goc for a fascinating look at an important piece of Wisconsin's military history: the Badger Ordnance Works plant.
That Day in September: An Air Traffic Controller's Perspective
Adults The public is invited to this special event at the LuCille Tack Center featuring Chris Tucker, an air traffic controller who will share his experiences working in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
Story Time in the Park
Children Parents and caregivers are invited to bring the little ones for an outdoor story time at Veteran's Memorial Park next to the library!
![event example [11004]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/1008.jpg)
Outdoor Family Story Time
Children Children and their parents and caregivers are invited to a special outdoor story time with the library staff at River Park!
Meet the Mayor Story Time
Children Children and their parents and caregivers are invited to a special story time at our Wausau headquarters with Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg!
Wausau Family Story Time
Children Children and their parents and caregivers are invited to join us in Wausau for stories, songs and more every Tuesday and Thursday!
![event example [10793]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/4738.jpg)
Outdoor Family Story Time: Hatley
Children Bring your family or the little ones you care for to these special outdoor story times at the library!
![event example [11007]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/4196.jpg)
Family Story Time
Children Parents and caregivers are invited to join us this fall on the first and third Tuesday of the month at the library for Family Story Time!
Romaine Calm & Garden On: Fall Primer
Adults Registration Join Extension Marathon County for an in-depth, virtual course on beginner gardening! Classes run March-September, including this fall primer on harvesting, cleanup and more! Registration required.
Stratford Family Story Time
Children Children and their parents and caregivers are invited to story times every other week through the fall at the library!
Newbery Medal Book Club: "From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler"
Adults Who says children's literature is just for children? Spark a sense of wonder, imagination and fun with a new book club in Rothschild to read and discuss Newbery Medal winners over the decades!
![event example [10948]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/2698.jpg)
CANCELED: Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Children This event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.
- CANCELED:
Mon., 9/12/22, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. @ MCPL Rothschild - Mon., 9/12/22, 1–7 p.m. @ MCPL Edgar
Book Club: "The Martian"
Adults Join fellow readers and our Marathon City staff for a discussion of Andy Weir's interstellar thriller The Martian!
LENA Start
Adults Registration Join other parents in learning how to talk more with your baby through the LENA Start program! Classes held at several different sites and virtually in the fall. Registration required.
Book Club: "The One-Hundred Years of Lenni & Margot"
Adults Join the library staff and other dedicated readers during the Branch's monthly book club discussions, including Cronin's 2021 novel in September!
Book Club: "Population: 485"
Adults Stop by the library for an afternoon of engaging conversation about a wide variety of books, including Michael Perry's classic account of returning to his hometown as a volunteer firefighter.
Book Club: "Nine Perfect Strangers"
Adults Join the library staff and fellow literary enthusiasts each month to discuss a wide variety of books!
Pokemon Club
Children Our popular Pokemon Club is back at the library! Join us on the second Tuesday of every month, starting Sept. 13!
Spencer Family Story Time
Children Families and children with their caregivers are invited to join us for family story time at the library!
As the Page Turns Book Club: "Becoming"
Adults Join the library staff and other book lovers each month for our book club! In September, the group will discuss former First Lady Michelle Obama's acclaimed memoir. The group also meets 9/19.
Calming Glitter Jars
Kids & Teens Tweens and teens are invited to the library to create their own glitter jars!
Take a Plant, Leave a Plant!
All-Ages Drop-in Stop by the library and give extra or unwanted plants to someone else, or pick up a new (to you) plant for your home or garden!
Athens Family Story Time
Children Children and their parents and caregivers are invited to join us every other Monday this fall at the library for family story time!
Book Club: "Becoming"
Adults Adults are invited to join us at the library on Sept. 19 to discuss former First Lady Michelle Obama's acclaimed autobiography!
Edgar Family Story Time
Children Children and their parents and caregivers are invited to the library for stories, activities and more during our Family Story Time!
Book Club: "The Color Purple"
Adults Join the library and fellow readers for a wonderful book club discussion in September: Alice Walker's classic novel "The Color Purple"!
"News of the Air" With Jill Stukenberg
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is happy (and proud!) to put the spotlight on one of our own, Jill Stukenberg, when she shares her debut novel on the festival's opening night!
"More Than Words" With Jerry Apps
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is excited to welcome back one of the Midwest's best-known and revered writers, Jerry Apps, for an advance reading of his new memoir on our opening night!
"Pahua & the Soul Stealer" With Lori M. Lee
Adults & Teens The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes Lori M. Lee for two events to share her newest book, talk about writing and publishing, and more!
Meet a Police Officer!
Children Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a police officer? Join us for a story time about these community helpers and meet a real police officer with the Wausau Police Department!
Gardening Expert & Author Melinda Myers
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes Melinda Myers, a nationally known gardening expert with more than 30 years of horticulture experience and author of over 20 gardening books!
Story Time With Author Jamie Swenson
Children Join children's author and early literacy storyteller Jamie A. Swenson for a fun, interactive story time filled with songs, rhymes, and books perfect for the whole family!
A Multimedia Life With Jennifer Brockman
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes writer, blogger and vlogger Jennifer Brockman to the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids to discuss her multimedia storytelling experiences!
"The Birdman of Koshkonong" With Author Martha Bergland
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes author Martha Bergland to the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids for a fascinating talk about an important Wisconsin naturalist, Thure Kumlien!
Quan Barry & Nickolas Butler
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes TWO internationally known writers from the Badger State - Quan Barry and Nickolas Butler - sharing their newest work from the same stage in Wausau!
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back With Author Beth Amos
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes author Beth Amos to the McMillan Memorial Library to discuss her 30-year writing career, including her newest Door County mystery series as Annelise Ryan!
Comics & Science Fiction With John Jackson Miller
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes author John Jackson Miller to events in Wisconsin Rapids and Stevens Point to discuss writing Star Trek, Star Wars, comics and more!
![event example [11180]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/6702.jpg)
"Death Casts a Shadow" With Author Patricia Skalka
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes back Wisconsin's own acclaimed novelist Patricia Skalka for a virtual talk about her books, including her newest, and writing! A Q&A will follow.
Apples Abound: Athens Story Time & Crafts
Children Children and families are invited to join the Athens staff for a special morning all about apples with a story time and crafts!
Life, Death & the Stories We Tell With Ellyn Lem & George Hesselberg
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes authors George Hesselberg and Ellyn Lem for a unique event about meaning in stories of later life and celebrating life in stories of those who died.
Key Elements of Suspense: The Poker Game With Beth Amos
Adults Join us for a Book Festival workshop in Wisconsin Rapids with bestselling author Beth Amos, who also writes as Annelise Ryan, as she shares some tips and techniques for writing a world of suspense!
![event example [11162]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/3371.jpg)
Poetry Walk Live Reading
Adults Wisconsin poets will converge on the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival for readings and a celebration of our first-ever Poetry Walk!
Researching & Writing Narrative Nonfiction With Theresa Kaminski
Adults If you're drawn to the world of nonfiction, and would like to learn more about researching and writing interesting (true) stories, join us during the CWBF for a workshop with author Theresa Kaminski!
All About Middle Grade With Author Claire Swinarski
Adults & Teens Middle grade is a phrase many readers don't understand: Is it a kids' book? Young Adult? But middle grade is a unique category, and author Claire Swinarski will help us sort it out at the CWBF!
Local Author Spotlight With B.A. McRae & Patrick Phair
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes local authors B.A. McRae and Patrick Phair to the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point to discuss their debut novels, writing and more!
"Godspeed" With Author Nickolas Butler
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes internationally known, bestselling author - and one of Wisconsin's own - Nickolas Butler to the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids!
Children's Author Duncan Tonatiuh
Children Award-winning children's author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh will join us during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival for a virtual event filled with stories, art and fun!
Dale Evans: Queen of the West With Theresa Kaminski
Adults Join author Theresa Kaminski at Bound to Happen Books in Stevens Point during the Central Wisconsin Book Festival as she shares her new biography of pioneering entertainer Dale Evans!
![event example [11177]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/4.jpg)
"Beyond Evacuation" With Author Najib Azad
Adults The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes author Najib Azad, who will speak about his firsthand experiences during the fall of Afghanistan, his emigration to the United States and his new book!
Book Club: "The Island of Sea Women"
Adults Join the library staff and fellow book enthusiasts each month for an engaging discussion of a variety of books - new and old, fiction and nonfiction!
![event example [10988]](https://www.mcpl.us/sites/default/files/events/images/10988.jpg)
Readers Are Writers: Tween Writing Group
Children Registration Drop-in Tweens ages 8-14 are invited to participate in a new virtual writing group with activities tailored to their age group and new content each month! Registration is required.
Book of the Month: "Hippie"
Adults Drop-in Stop by the library in September to pick up their Book of the Month selection along with some questions and comments to get you thinking about Coelho's 2018 novel!
Little Treasures: Pocket Bear
Adults & Teens Drop-in Stop by any MCPL location in September to pick up a little friend you can make at home - a grab and go pocket bear!
Nature Weaving
Children Drop-in Stop by any MCPL location in September for a perfect fall grab and go craft for children (and adults too!) - supplies and instructions to weave a nature loom!
Friendship Bracelet
Kids & Teens Drop-in Patrons are invited to stop by the library to pick up a craft kit to create a friendship bracelet!
Wausau Poetry Walk
Adults Drop-in Poetry from writers across Wisconsin will be exhibited downtown Wausau throughout September for the Central Wisconsin Book Festival Poetry Walk, in partnership with the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets!
Spooky Slime Night at the Stratford Branch
Kids & Teens Join us for some spooky fun at the library with a craft project perfect for fall: slime!
Fuzzy Fall Finger Puppets
Children Drop-in Stop by the library in October and pick up a grab-and-go kit for children to create their own finger puppets of fuzzy little creatures!