Throughout the year, the Marathon County Public Library offers weekly story times that are intended to introduce children to literature and reading through storytelling, songs, games, puppets and fingerplays.

The following is a list of all of the weekly story times that will be held by MCPL from September 2018 through August 2019. Story times meet according to the schedule below; however, exceptions are possible due to holiday closings, special children’s events and the summer library program.

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, 10:30am (year-round) (2018: will not meet 9/1)
• MCPL Athens — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10:00am (year-round) (2018: will not meet 12/25) (2019: will not meet 1/1)
• MCPL Edgar — Weekly on Thursdays, 9:30am (Sept.-May) (2018: will not meet 11/22, 12/27)
• MCPL Hatley — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10:30am (year-round)
• MCPL Marathon City — Weekly on Thursdays, 10:30am (year-round) (2018: will not meet 11/22, 12/27)
• MCPL Mosinee — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:00am (Sept.-May) (2018: will not meet 12/26) (2019: will not meet 1/2)
• MCPL Rothschild — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10:30am (year-round) (2018: will not meet 12/25) (2019: will not meet 1/1)​
• MCPL Spencer — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:00am (Sept.-May) (2018: will resume 9/12; will not meet 11/21, 12/26) (2019: will not meet 1/2)
• MCPL Stratford — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:15am (year-round) (2018: will not meet 9/5, 11/21, 12/26) (2019: will not meet 1/2)​

Play and Learn

Children of all ages are invited to use their imagination and creativity! These fun-filled, 60-90 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 715-848-1457 for the latest information.

• MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Fridays, 9:30am (year-round)
• MCPL Athens — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10:30am (year-round)
• MCPL Edgar — Weekly on Thursdays, 10:00am (year-round) (2018: will not meet 11/22, 12/27)
• MCPL Hatley — Weekly on Thursdays, 10:00am (year-round)
• MCPL Mosinee — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:30am (Sept.-May) (2018: will not meet 12/26) (2019: will not meet 1/2)
• MCPL Mosinee — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:00am (Jun.-Aug.)
• MCPL Rothschild — Weekly on Tuesdays, 11:00am (Sept.-May) (2018: will not meet 12/25) (2019: will not meet 1/1)
• MCPL Spencer — Monthly on the second and fourth Wednesday, 10:30am (Sept.-May) (2018: will not meet 11/21, 12/26) (2019: will not meet 1/2)
• MCPL Spencer — Monthly on the second and fourth Wednesday, 10:00am (Jun.-Aug.)
• MCPL Stratford — Weekly on Wednesdays, 10:45am (year-round) (2018: will not meet 9/5, 11/21, 12/26) (2019: will not meet 1/2)

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, 10:30am (year-round)
• MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Thursdays, 10:30am (year-round)

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, 10:00am (year-round)
• MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Tuesdays, 10:30am (year-round)

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, 10:00am (year-round) (2018: will not meet 9/3)

Sensory Story Time

Geared toward children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Sensory Processing Disorder, this story time features stories and soothing interactive activities! We begin with a 30-minute structured story time that includes books, a visual schedule, special seating options and fidget toys. Following the story time, families are welcome to stay, play and socialize.

• MCPL Wausau — Weekly on Wednesdays, 9:30am (year-round) (new in 2018: first meeting 9/5)

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