Wausau Pilot & Review

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They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. It’s also true that you can’t judge a library’s value to the community by only its books.

This week, we shine a spotlight on the Marathon County Public Library, which is among the few spaces that are truly open to everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnic background or socioeconomic status.. The Marathon County Public Library requires nothing of its visitors: no membership fees, no purchases, no dress code. You don’t need money or even a library card to access a multitude of resources from books to job hunting assistance, computer stations, free internet access and more. In an era of divisive politics and disruptive technological change, the library’s commitment to inclusivity and service stands apart as a vital part of Wausau’s community that serves all age groups and all residents.

Libraries are safe refuges for all residents and have a range of demonstrated benefits to the community. They boost local economies by helping individual community members financially succeed in their lives and small businesses. They play an important role in English language learning as the diversity in America, one of the things that makes this country so great, continues to grow. They preserve history, and more importantly, truth.

Allycia Smith, library marketing specialist at MCPL, says the role of libraries for the people of the community varies depending on which age group they’re in, but there’s truly something for everyone. Here, Smith answers questions we asked about the Marathon County Public Library’s role in the community and the surprising things you’ll find within its walls. Click here to find all the ways you can connect with the library and make the most of its essential resources.

Slideshow: See the Marathon County Public Library in action

  • Courtesy of the Marathon County Public Library
  • Courtesy of the Marathon County Public Library
  • Courtesy of the Marathon County Public Library
  • Photo by Christina Kimball for Wausau Pilot
  • Courtesy of the Marathon County Public Library
  • Courtesy of the Marathon County Public Library
  • Courtesy of the Marathon County Public Library
  • Photo by Christina Kimball for Wausau Pilot

Tell us a little about how libraries preserve the community’s history through its archives.

We have a large collection of hard copy Marathon County books and resources. This includes local yearbooks, family genealogies, cemetery listings, plat books, and more. We are currently in the process of transcribing oral histories, which are valuable first hand sources of community history that could otherwise become lost or unplayable due to the rapid change of recording technology over the decades. For those who are more digitally inclined, we’ve got the Wisconsin Digitization Project (making local history sources available and searchable online), Ancestry.com (genealogical research) access for free, and the Wausau Daily Herald microfilm archives, and online access to historical archives of local papers.

How does the library serve people in such a wide range of age groups?

For young people, the library is a place to learn through play, meet new friends, develop important early literacy skills, and of course, enrich their imagination with stories and learning, Smith said. In school, the library is a place to find resources for projects, spend time after school, attend events that support their hobbies with other kids their age and use the internet. A young adult moving to our area to start a job can meet people and try new things at our free events. They can also keep up to date about current events, or enjoy the library’s wide array of fiction items. For many young adults nowadays, they access the library regularly through the Libby app. 

For parents, bringing their kids to the library is an opportunity to socialize  with other parents and set up play dates. They can save money by renting books, video games and movies for their kids and spend quality time at the library’s many family events. 

Adults can also enjoy free access to information and opportunities for lifelong learning, ranging from genealogy, crafts, list materials and more. And as community members age, the library can offer support in a myriad of ways. For example, free events offer an opportunity to try new hobbies, learn about relevant topics like Medicare, or meet new people. The MCPL also has Tech Time, for those who want to learn about, or learn more about, the electronic devices that are required for so many things. At these one-on-one appointments, people can learn how to use their laptop, tablet, or phone. And the MCPL’s Homebound program sends books to those unable to visit the library in person. This service has been credited with keeping folks reading and greatly enhancing their quality of life.

Everyone knows the library has books, but libraries are much more than bookshelves. Tell us about some surprising things we will find to check out at the library.

  • We offered free checkouts of State Park passes in 2023 for the first time. 
  • Our wi-fi hotspots are another new program that has been popular. 
  • We’ll very soon be offering STEM kits (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) with books and interactive activities about space, insects, and more! 
  • People might not think about the library for non-book entertainment, but we’ve got that too! We offer video games for many systems. There’s also Launchpads, which are tablets preloaded with activities, games, and more on a theme, that don’t require internet access. 
  • A surprising amount of people don’t know they can get the free Libby app with their MCPL library card. The app offers digital books and audiobooks for all ages, as well as magazines. 
  • We have a lactation pod for nursing parents at the Wausau Headquarters that can be reserved by anyone in the community using an app, or by getting a code. 
  • We also have book club kits, featuring 5 copies of a notable book and discussion questions. 
  • We have a large collection of wall art of all kinds: watercolor, oil, photography, multimedia, sculptural, etc. that is purchased at the Wausau Festival of Arts with grant funding. 

In addition to books and other materials, the library has a wide range of on-site services, from passport applications to meeting rooms, technology assistance, notary services and more. Tell us about those services and what we’ll find.

  • Passports: Passport applications can be processed at our Wausau headquarters. We can take the pictures as well for $10. Appointments are available every Wednesday, 9 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 2–7 p.m., and every other Saturday, 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:30–3 p.m. 
  • Notary: Our notary services are free at the Wausau location. We ask that folks call ahead to assure the Notary is in before stopping by.
  • Technology Assistance: We offer Tech Time appointments for folks looking for one-on-one help learning how to use technology. We help folks learn how to use new devices, get started with apps they want to use, or accomplish tasks like formatting a resume in Microsoft Word.

The library also has a robust event schedule. How does library staff choose the right range of subjects, and what types of events will we find in the coming weeks and months?

We try to create events around local needs and interests – the things that our community cares about. When we learned that kids in our area loved Pokemon, we created a Pokemon Club, which is expanding from the Wausau location to include some of our branches. We know our area has a strong farming and dairy presence, so we brought in the 2023 Alice in Dairyland for a special talk and a butter-making activity! We have many crafters and artists in our community who want to meet others, try new things, or save some money. We offer crafts of all kinds and provide the supplies and instruction for free. An upcoming event that the community can experience and learn about together at the library is the April 8th Total Solar Eclipse! We’re offering events for all ages. Folks can learn through typical means like an educational talk, or with a more hands-on approach through crafts, art, and a scavenger hunt. On the day of the eclipse we’ll be hosting a live stream of the eclipse so that people can safely observe. New this year is our City and County Spotlight series where folks get a chance to meet the heads of local government departments face-to-face. This series allows people to hear from local leaders directly, and to ask their questions in a more personal forum than email or phone. 

Tell us about the LearningExpress Library and the resources available for college admissions test prep, career prep and more.

The LearningExpress Library offers courses on study skills and test prep (ACT, AP, SAT, etc.) for students. For those entering the workforce or transitioning careers, there are GED resources, career preparation, and career goals classes.

Our study rooms are perfect for studying and test preparation. Students can come alone or in a small group. The rooms provide a quiet location to concentrate as well as plenty of workspace for devices, books, and other study aids. If students need tests proctored, MCPL Wausau provides this service for free.

What kinds of resources does the library offer for businesses – especially small, local businesses?

We have free meeting space at our Wausau, Mosinee, and Stratford locations. For those who need to take proctored industry tests, we offer this service for free at MCPL Wausau. Patrons with library cards can access business information databases like Business Source Premier, Computers and Applied Science Complete, and Regional Business News. These databases provide access to scholarly journals and publications on many areas of business, so that small business owners can stay up to date on best practices and trends without paying for access to these journals and magazines. For entrepreneurs, we also have office equipment like a fax machine and a large, high-speed copy machine. Patrons who wish to use them pay a small amount to cover the cost of materials/services. And of course, we have a giant collection of books on all aspects of business. If we don’t have it in MCPL, we can get it from other libraries in the Wisconsin Valley Library Service, or even from libraries in surrounding states through Inter Library Loan.

For people who love e-readers like Kindles and Nooks, what types of materials are available? And how does that work?

For folks who prefer reading on their digital devices, we provide free access to ebooks, audiobooks and magazines through the Libby app. Patrons can borrow a book through the app and either open it on their phone or tablet, or have it sent to their eReader. For folks who want to try out an eReader or take one on a trip, we’ve got Kindles available for checkout. 

Libraries are often referred to as champions of youth, with summer reading programs, homework help programs and other services. Talk about those programs, and the library’s impact on the next generation of leaders.

MCPL’s Summer Library Program is a great way to keep kids entertained and learning, with unique, interactive experiences planned all over Marathon County! These events provide an opportunity for adults to spend time with the young people in their lives; all people have to do is show up and enjoy the activities. We’ve also got incentives for kids to continue reading over the summer, like a reading BINGO card where kids win a small prize once they finish the card. These events and programs are all free.

The library wants to offer chances for youth to be heard and involved. We’ve got three locations with youth or young adult leadership teams: Wausau, Mosinee, and Stratford. These groups help plan and run events, give suggestions of youth and teen materials, and more! These groups provide young people with leadership experience for resumes and college applications by taking them through the process of planning and executing a library event. 

Connect with the Marathon County Public Library