The MCPL Blog from the Marathon County Public Library

The Wisconsin Digital Archive: Get Connected to State Government

Julie Kinney / Library Services — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:35:56 GMT

Many of us are breathing a sigh of relief now that election ads and coverage are over for this election cycle. If you are like me, maybe you wondered how accurate those statistics you saw in the ads were. How can one politician claim jobs were added when another claims the exact opposite? Maybe you were curious where the news anchors get their information on the economy, job growth or government agency spending. I have the perfect link for you news junkies: The Wisconsin Digital Archives.

The Wisconsin Digital Archive provides one stop shopping for all those reports you hear about on the news. Curious about job growth, school achievement scores, roadway safety or anything else that pertains to Wisconsin government? Use the search box at the top of the screen to find reports and other documents that provide background, research and figures to help clarify news reports. The front page also provides links to reports that have been covered by newspapers. In addition, there are links to the newest material added to the archive.

Overall, the archive contains great resources for everyone from the new hound to the high school student looking for statistics. Stop by the website and check it out.

Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week

Kathleen Kosiec/Library Services — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 08:52:25 GMT

Despite the snow we've seen this April, spring has arrived in Marathon County, and so has severe weather season! This week is Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, and the library has some helpful tips and suggestions to keep you and your family safe.

Remember to Listen, Act, and Live!

Listen: When severe weather is in your area, listen to a credible source (such as an emergency weather radio) for updates. Continue to monitor until the storm system leaves your area.

Act: When a tornado warning is issued, seek shelter immediately! If you are in your home, head to your basement if you have one, or look for a room without windows, ideally on the lowest floor and in the center of the building. For most homes without a basement, usually a closet or a bathroom is the safest area. If you are at work, out shopping, or in a public building, follow staff instructions and remain in the designated area of the building until instructed to leave.

Live: Your chances for survival greatly increase when you listen and act immediately. Do not waste time seeking shelter!

Marathon County Public Library will participate in a county-wide tornado drill on Thursday, April 24th, at 1:45 pm. Patrons in the library during this time will be asked to follow staff to the basement for shelter, or patrons may choose to leave the library until the drill is finished. No patrons will be allowed on the first and second levels of the library during the drill. Thank you to the Marathon County Emergency Management team for the helpful tips!

For more information about tornado and severe weather safety:

Marathon County Emergency Management
Tornado information from Ready.gov
Weather.com's Severe Weather

Four libraries increase summer hours

Chad Dally / Library Services — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:34:59 GMT

Responding to patron demand and other factors, the Marathon County Public Library Board of Trustees recently increased operating hours at four MCPL locations.
The Board in March approved additional weekend hours at the Wausau Headquarters and Hatley, Marathon and Rothschild branches. The changes mean the locations’ winter hours are now in effect year-round, and include:

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed Sunday at the three branches (previously closed all weekend).
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Wausau Headquarters (previously open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday).
An increase from four hours to 20 hours of operation at MCPL locations on weekends.

The additional hours stems, in part, from a 2013 survey and coincided with a desire by the Board of Trustees for a consistent, convenient schedule, rather than separate winter and summer hours.

“One very important theme that was consistently mentioned (in the survey) was that you wanted us to offer more weekend hours during the summer months,” Library Director Ralph Illick said. “We heard you! Thank you for letting us know how we could make your library experience better.”

Increasing operating hours is also a low-cost option to provide additional patron service; operational costs will increase slightly compared to past summer hours, but schedule adjustments will allow for no increase in staff costs.

(from the MCPL Newsletter, May-Jul., 2014)

LIFE in Marathon County Report Available!

Mike@ Reference — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:13:01 GMT

All Marathon County Public Library locations now have copies available of the latest LOCAL INDICATORS FOR EXCELLENCE (LIFE) IN MARATHON COUNTY Report. As with previous editions, this 9th edition provides information and statistics on community strengths as well as identifying challenges and opportunities facing the community. The goal of the LIFE Report is community improvement. The LIFE Report serves as a call to action for everyone in Marathon County.

Request a copy of the LIFE Report via the Library Catalog (V-Cat).
View a summary of the report here.

Pushback Against Drug Abuse: Final Program!

Mike@ Reference — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 12:05:52 GMT

The final Pushback Against Drug Abuse program will be held Tuesday October 29th from 5:30 to 7:00 and then repeated Wednesday October 30th from 12:00 to 1:30.

The topic of this week's program will be It Takes a Village. Local drug experts will discussing the drug abuse problem in Wausau and how the community can play a role in tackling this growing, dangerous threat.

Remember: drug abuse can strike any neighborhood, any household. It can happen to you and yours! Plan on attending It Takes a Village to learn about what you can do to Push back against drug abuse.

The program will be held in the 3rd Floor Wausau Room. All are welcome.
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Week 3 of the Pushback Against Drug Abuse Programs!

Mike@ Reference — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 06:52:57 GMT

Hundreds of Marathon County residents have attended the first two programs in the Pushback Against Drug Abuse sessions being held at the Marathon County Public Library.

Each week local drug experts have shared valuable information on AOD issues and what role individuals can play in fighting the local drug problem.

The Week 3 program is entitled The"A" Word. In this case, "A" stands for Addiction. Marathon Coutny drug experts will be discussing drug and alcohol addiction, the various local treatment options available to abusers and what role individuals can play in recovery.

The "A" Word program will be given Tuesday Oct. 22nd at 5:30 and repeated Wednesday Oct. 23 at 12:00 in the 3rd Floor Wausau Room.

Please plan on attending one of the sessions. Drug abuse is a growing threat to Marathon County.

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Pushback Drug Programs Underway at the Library!

Mike@ Reference — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 06:14:20 GMT

Dozens of people attended the opening Pushback Against Drug Abuse sessions held Tuesday October 8th and Wednesday October 9th at the Wausau Library.

Wausau Police Department Officer Melinda Pauls' presentation dealt with current drug trends in the Wausau/Marathon County area, especially those impacting young adults.

The next program in the four-week series is entitled I Think We Have a Problem? Participants will learn how to identify if someone is using - or dealing - drugs and your options if you suspect someone is involved with drugs.

I Think We Have a Problem? will be presented Tuesday October 15th at 5:30 and Wednesday October 16th at 12:00 in the Wausau Room of the Headquarters Library.

No registration is required and everyone is welcome.

Stopping the growing drug abuse problem in Marathon County needs everyone's involvement. Set aside time for these important programs. See you there!

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Update: Affordable Care Act

Ben Krombholz / Library Support Services — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 15:54:33 GMT

As of Tue., October 1, 2013, Wisconsin residents can explore their health insurance options and apply for benefits using HealthCare.gov, portal to the health insurance marketplace established by the federal government to fulfill the mandates of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

Marathon County Public Library patrons are welcome to use the library's computers to access HealthCare.gov, but please note: We are not trained or licensed to assist you in selecting a specific health plan. We are happy to direct you to information and public resources about the Affordable Care Act that will help you make your own choices.

Free access to computers and the Internet is available at all nine MCPL locations: Wausau, Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon City, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer and Stratford. Please be prepared to present your library card or government-issued ID for access.

Visit www.mcpl.us/aca for a collection of related links and resources.