The MCPL Blog from the Marathon County Public Library

OverDrive's Big Summer Read

Chad Dally / Library Services — Fri, 29 May 2015 10:46:04 GMT

Marathon County Public Library, Wisconsin’s Digital Library and OverDrive all hope you’ll join us and other patrons in the Big Summer Read, an online shared reading program for all ages, through most of June.

Each year, OverDrive selects a title with an author and publisher willing to allow an unlimited number ebooks and e-audiobooks available to download anytime from June 9 to June 23. This year adult patrons can read or listen to Kate White’s fast-paced suspense novel “Eyes on You” – Robin Trainer learns that being a media star comes with its costs; including potentially her own life. Can you guess her perpetrator before the big reveal?

For the first time, OverDrive also is inviting children and teens to share in the reading experience with the OverDrive Summer Read. From June 9 to July 9, kids will be able to download unlimited copies of “Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky” from Sandra Dallas, who shines a light on a dark period of American history in this story of a young Japanese American girl caught up in prejudices and World War II.

Teens can sign into OverDrive anytime between June 9-July 9 and download a copy of “The Fat Boy Chronicles.” Inspired by a true story and told in first-person journal entries, Diane Lang’s novel brings to life the pain and isolation felt by many overweight teenagers as they try to find their way in a world obsessed with outward beauty.

This is a great chance to try a new book recommended by the fine folks at OverDrive, without the wait that occasionally accompanies newer releases! Our library staff can show you where to go within the Digital Library to download your copy of one (or more!) of these three books.

The Big Summer Read is also a great excuse to try OverDrive if you haven’t already. Any device will do – smartphone, tablet, e-reader, laptop – and you can find instructions to set up your device here under the “First-time users” tab: www.mcpl.us/catalogs/overdrive. Of course, if you’re a hands-on learner, you are always welcome to bring your device to the library and we’ll help you get started with OverDrive.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services recently released its report on public libraries as of 2012, and Wisconsin has the distinction of the highest number of library e-books available per capita in the country: As of 2012, our state had more than 3,500 ebooks per 1,000 people. Of course we still love our print books, but our selection of ebooks and e-audiobooks is growing almost daily, as is the selection of streaming videos available through OverDrive. And as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can browse and download titles from anywhere and keep your bookshelf full no matter where you may roam this summer. Once downloaded, you can read them anywhere, no wireless needed.

The Big Summer Read is not only a kickoff to vacation reading, it’s also a chance to share a literary experience with thousands of other patrons across the state, some of whom might just be a few towels down the beach from you, reading the same novel.

Chad Dally is a library specialist with the Marathon County Public Library

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"Mockingbird" Top Fiction Book

Amy Ryan / MCPL Customer Services — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 17:00:04 GMT

In a sweeping victory, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee beat "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte to take the fiction title in Marathon County Public Library's Literary Smackdown.

Lee's classic novel of racism and violence in the South beat Bronte's story of an impoverished orphan turned governess by almost 80 votes.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" will next face the winner of the final nonfiction smackdown, with Anne Frank's "Diary of a Young Girl" going up against Maya Angelou's memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

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Orwell takes "1984" vs. "Fahrenheit 451" Smackdown

Amy Ryan / MCPL Library Services — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:33:55 GMT

In a very close victory, "1984" by George Orwell beat out Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" 56 to 53 to take the week two fiction title in the Marathon County Public Library's Literary Smackdown.

Although both books take a hard stance against censorship and personal freedom, it was Orwell's dystopian look at government spying that resonated with Marathon County readers. Still, Bradbury's tale of book burning resonated strongly with library patrons making this race almost too close to call.

Wondering who won previous weeks? Visit our Smackdown page at http://www.mcpl.us/events/slp/literary-smackdown-voting.php. Keep filling in those brackets and don't forget to vote in our week two nonfiction contest! It's "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin taking on "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson.

"Jane Eyre" takes Week 1 Fiction Smackdown Title

Amy Ryan / MCPL Customer Services — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:06:11 GMT

In a stunning upset, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte schooled "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and won the first round of fiction competition in MCPL's Literary Smackdown.

Despite the recent popularity of Fitzgerald's iconic and decadent Jazz-age novel, a plucky and intelligent young governess took the first victory in this summer-long competition to determine the most influential book in Marathon County.

Voting is now open in the first nonfiction matchup of the competition, so don't forget to vote for your favorite between "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank and "The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedan.

Summer packed with programs!

Chad Dally / Library Services — Wed, 29 May 2013 19:34:08 GMT

Marathon County Public Library locations across the county will be full of "underground"-themed activities for children, teens and adults during our 2013 Summer Library Program!

Children can "Dig Into Reading" and do their choices of suggested activities to complete an archeological-themed reading log. Reading books is part of it, but kids also are encouraged to attend library events and work on reading-based activities.

In addition to art parties, a scavenger hunt, movie nights and a teen night at the aquarium, teenagers can take part in our "Beneath the Surface" summer-long program. It may take a little work – read 15 books and complete five activities to receive a reward – but you get to choose the books (even graphic novels) and the activities.

As part of the "Groundbreaking Reads" adult program, patrons around the county will decide the most influential book in Marathon County in our Literary Smackdown competition. A March Madness-style bracket pits well-known works of fiction and non-fiction against each other in a battle for supremacy. For adults, and some young adults, we also have programs on the weird and mysterious creatures allegedly roaming Wisconsin and the impact of prohibition on Marathon County, among other programs in the works.

So dig in! Check www.mcpl.us/slp throughout the summer for program schedules, updates and new programs not listed in our SLP calendar.

(from the MCPL Newsletter, May-July, 2013)

Dig Into Reading This Summer

Sharyn Heili, Children's Services — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:46:31 GMT

It’s time to get ready to “Dig Into Reading” @MCPL this summer. The Summer Library Program starts June 8 and ends August 24. We have lots of fun activities, programs, therapy dogs to listen to kids read, and a summer reading club all ready to go for children and families at all MCPL locations.

Children can register for the reading club and pick up the Excavation Site Map @ any MCPL location. For every 15 minutes children read, visit the library, attend a library program and complete a suggested activity, they cross off or color a rock. When all 7 rocks are colored, the site map can be brought to the library and children can claim their treasure. Children will need their maps to get their treasure. Children can complete as many digs as they want and claim treasure for completion of each one.

Along with the reading club, we have many great performers lined-up who will be sure to delight the whole family and sneak in some learning as well.

· Musician/storyteller, Stuart Stotts will be presenting “Dig in and Dig It: Songs and Stories to Celebrate Reading” with songs about a magical cavern, the Underground Railroad and more.

· The Truly Remarkable Loon will amaze us as he “Read(s) Books and Juggles Everything Else” including juggling spinning plates.

· Jack Zolkowski and his amazing Soda Pups Dogs will steal your heart and keep you smiling all day. His dogs are named after soft drinks—Ginger Ale, Sierra Mist, Squirt, Dr. Pepper, and RB (Root Beer). Sierra Mist even rides in a remote-controlled Hummer and you won’t want to miss the Green Bay Packer trick!

· Magician Rob Halbrook is back as Professor Marvel, but this year he will be taking us on an amazing Archeological Adventure involving Merlin and the Goblet of Fire and lots more book-related magical adventures.

· With Professor Oops we will be “Dig(ging) Into the Underground World” and exploring creatures underneath the ground as only he can present it, with lots of humor and fun.

· David Stokes and his “Creatures Under the Earth Surface” program will help us discover creatures that hug the earth.

Discover, imagine and create @your library this summer and "Dig Into Reading". Special Summer Library Programs are also available for teens (Beneath the Surface) and adults (Groundbreaking Reads). For more information and schedules: http://www.mcpl.us/events/slp/

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Wausau Story Time Changes for Summer

Marissa/Library Services — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:10:55 GMT

Summer is coming, and with it the Summer Library Program at MCPL!

The next couple of weeks the Wausau Headquarters children's department will be busy with school tours, so there will be no story times May 12th through June 9th at the Wausau Headquarters library.

Book Babies, Tales for Tots and Preschool Story Times will continue through summer with an adjusted schedule.

Beginning June 10th, join us for Sweet Dreams Story Time.
This story time will be offered every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. throughout the summer. Come join the summer fun!

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Start and Keep Children Reading

Sharyn Heili, Youth Services — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:42:48 GMT

Start reading to your child early; read board and picture books to your baby, repeat nursery rhymes, and sing and talk to them often.
Set aside some special time daily to read to your child separately and together with your family.
Ask your child questions about books that they are reading; read the same book and discuss it with them.
Get them hooked on books in a series; there are lots of good series books, like the Magic Tree House series, that will keep them interested and reading for a long time (48^th book to be released this July)
Discover what type of books they like and help them find similar books and authors.
Find books and magazine articles about anything that your child is interested in—even reluctant readers or children who struggle with reading will want to read about their favorite sports star, movie character or activity.
A love of reading and learning is contagious. When children see you reading and visiting your library often they will want to also.
Give children free rein with their reading choices; allow them to read widely and freely.
Place books in a special place in your home; buy books for children as a part of their holiday and birthday gifts and encourage relatives and friends to do the same.
Make reading a fun activity; encourage your children to select books at their reading level and interest.
Encourage your children to participate in fun reading clubs, like the Summer Library Program @your library.