WAUSAU – With nine locations throughout Marathon County, Marathon County Public Library offers at least one (if not more) weekly story time at each MCPL location, from Spencer to Hatley and everywhere in between.

Story times are intended to introduce children to literature and reading through storytelling, songs, games, puppets and fingerplays. Each story time meets according to the schedule below; however, exceptions are possible due to holiday closings, special children’s events and the summer library program. Such story time breaks and preemptions are advertised in advanced on the MCPL website, www.mcpl.us.

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time! Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to this 30-minute program. Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities.

  • MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. (through Nov. 30)
  • MCPL Athens — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Edgar — Weekly on Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. (September-May)
  • MCPL Hatley — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Marathon City — Weekly on Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Mosinee — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. (September-May)
  • MCPL Rothschild — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Spencer — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. (September-May)
  • MCPL Stratford — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. (September-May)

Play and Learn

Children of all ages are invited to use their imagination and creativity! These fun-filled, 90-minute programs feature a different story each week, followed by songs and supplemental activities. Offered in partnership with the Family Resource Center, these story times meet regularly; however, occasional breaks are possible due to Family Resource Center scheduling. Call 715-845-6747 for the latest information.

  • MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Fridays, 9:30 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Athens — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Edgar — Weekly on Thursdays, 10 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Hatley — Weekly on Thursdays, 10 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Mosinee — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. (September-May)
  • MCPL Mosinee — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. (June-August)
  • MCPL Rothschild — Weekly on Tuesdays, 11 a.m. (year-round)
  • MCPL Spencer — Monthly on the second and fourth Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. (September-May)
  • MCPL Spencer — Monthly on the second and fourth Wednesday, 10 a.m. (June-August)
  • MCPL Stratford — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:45 a.m. (September-May)
  • MCPL Stratford — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. (June-August)

Preschool Story Time

This 30-minute program will help prepare your preschooler for kindergarten with stories, songs, rhymes and other early literacy activities. Children may attend this story time without a caregiver, but caregivers are asked to remain in the children’s area during the story time. If your child is not comfortable going to story time without you, feel free to join the fun! Geared for children 3-5 years old. Younger siblings are welcome with an adult present.

  • MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. (through Nov. 27)
  • MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Thursdays, 10 a.m. (through Nov. 21)

Tales for Tots

Enjoy books, songs and fingerplays with your toddler at this fun and lively story time! This program is designed to help 2- and 3-year-olds acquire fundamental knowledge such as shapes, numbers, colors, rhyming and more in a fun and interactive way. Toddlers in attendance must be accompanied by an adult. Older and younger siblings are welcome to attend.

  • MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (through Nov. 26)

Book Babies

Join us for 20 minutes of “lap sit” story time for children birth to 23 months! Listen and interact with your baby through books, songs, rhymes and other activities. Caregiver-child interaction is stressed in Book Babies, so children must be accompanied by an adult. Older siblings may attend, but please be aware that this program meets the developmental needs of younger children.

  • MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Mondays, 10 a.m. (through Nov. 25)

All story times are free and open to the public, with no registration required. For more information, call your local library location or visit mcpl.us/services/childrens/story-times.

Photo courtesy Marathon County Public Library.