Monday, July 7, 2014
The Library of the Month is a celebration of Wisconsin libraries compiled by the BadgerLink team.
The Marshall Community Library, a beautiful, modern building with swooping roof lines and an abundance of natural light, provides innovative services and resources to the public including meeting and learning spaces, readers’ services, and digital literacy training.
The Community Room and the Math and Science Center both provide a space to gather and learn. Built with the help of funding from the Madison Community Foundation, the Community Room has hosted politicians, performers, and fundraisers, and can be reserved by non-profit groups. The Math and Science Center offers an open play area where kids of all ages can get their hands on abstract concepts. A microscope, magnetic math board, plastic money, rock specimens, lab coats and much more are available to experiment with and learn from.
Libraries have been, and will always be, synonymous with reading. Supporting literacy is a key way the Marshall Community Library enhances the community. “Automatically Yours,” is a unique program where library staff automatically place holds for new fiction titles based on a patron’s favorite authors. “Vacation Bags” include a variety of materials suited to a patron’s age, interest and destination. The love of books is evident in Marshall, and it is safe to say books aren’t going away anytime soon!
The Marshall Community Library also became the first Village Post Office in Wisconsin on January 28th, 2013. Satisfying the community’s needs for convenience, the library now sells stamps and accepts mail, offsetting the local post office’s limited hours of operation.
Computer skills and digital learning are a high priority at the library. Staff are always willing to sit down with patrons and teach them how to use a Kindle, download ebooks, write resumes, download pictures, and teach them how to take advantage of the many resources that BadgerLink provides. Library Director Diana Skalitzky’s favorite BadgerLink resource is LearningExpress Library. She said, “This fantastic resource means not having to purchase study books for the Compass, SAT, ACT, CLEP and other major tests.” Wisconsin residents can easily access these test prep and skill-building materials from anywhere with internet access.
Innovation and libraries go hand in hand. Visit the Marshall Community Library and learn about all that libraries have to offer!