Portage County Public Library

06/02/2026

Every year, our library participates in a nationwide summer reading program designed to connect readers across the country. Though a lot of it is geared towards child and teen readers, they’re not the only ones that can benefit! The adult reading challenge begins this month and runs through August, so we wanted to help you get your summer reading adventure started on a high note. That’s why one of our displays this month is dedicated to this year’s Summer Library Program theme – Unearth a Story! Focused entirely on archaeology and paleontology, this theme invites you to ask questions and uncover the answers through books. With titles ranging from non-fiction guides to teach you about fossils to novels following crime-solving archaeologists, we’re sure that something on this list will be right up your alley. Next time you’re at the Stevens Point branch, do a quick study of our display and let us help you unearth a new story of your very own!

05/31/2026

Even though the semester's over at UWSP, our social work intern James is still keeping regular hours over the summer. (Thanks, James!)
His summer hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11am to 5pm. Patrons can also book time with him through the Meeting Room Reservations page on our website. Contact us or James for more information.

05/30/2026

This week's Portage County Public Library Staff Pick is "Between Two Fires" by Christopher Buehlman.

"Cormac McCarthy's The Road meets Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in this frightful medieval epic about an orphan girl with visionary powers in plague-devastated France. The year is 1348. The conflict between France and England is nothing compared to the all-out war building between good angels and fallen ones for control of heaven (though a scene in which soldiers are massacred by a rainbow of arrows is pretty horrific). Among mortals, only the girl, Delphine, knows of the cataclysm to come. Angels speak to her, issuing warnings--and a command to run." -(Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 2012)

Check out this title at your local library branch or place a hold on LINKcat with your library card.

Want more great book recommendations? Give us a call at any branch location or check out the NoveList database for read a likes of your favorite authors, books, and more! Access NoveList through our website using your library card number.

05/29/2026

Now less than four months away!

Mark your calendars! We're celebrating 10 years of the Central Wisconsin Book Festival with free author events across Wausau, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids September 23-27, 2026. 🎉

Follow us for sneak peaks, special event information, and more!

05/26/2026

The updates to your summer reading list have finally arrived! Our list of New Releases for June may be on the shorter end, but it’s full of some of our most popular authors! The holds lists for these items are sure to be stacking up fast, so head online or stop in at your local branch to get yourself queued up and ready to go as soon as they’re available. No matter which one (or ones!) you pick up, we hope you enjoy the read!

Whistler by Ann Patchett
Land by Maggie O'Farrell
It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell
Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See
Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews
A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer
Rocket's Red Glare by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann
The Housemaid's Wedding by Freida McFadden
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
A River Red with Blood by John Connolly
Contrapposto by Dave Eggers
Wait and See by Iris and Roy Johansen

05/26/2026

This Memorial Day, the Portage County Public Library recognizes the sacrifices made and lives lost in service to our country. Though this stands as a day off work for many, it’s important to remember why that is, and the library has many titles that we believe will help you do just that. From novels centering on the struggles of the military to non-fiction stories about service both at home and abroad, there are dozens of books on our shelves that are dedicated to this important remembrance and many other military topics. Though the day of observation may technically be over for this year, it’s always a good time to pick up one of these items and honor the thousands of lives lost in service, both past and present.

05/23/2026

This week's Portage County Public Library Staff Pick is "Party of Liars" by Kelsey Cox.

"Sophie Matthews's lavish sweet 16 party is a good excuse for her wealthy psychiatrist father to show off their renovated—some say haunted—cliffside mansion near San Antonio, TX. Guests are in for a night to remember when, just before Sophie blows out her birthday candles, a body falls from the balcony onto the poolside patio. "- Linsey Milillo (Reviewed 06/01/2025) (Library Journal, vol 150, issue 6, p65)

Check out this title at your local library branch or place a hold on LINKcat with your library card.

Want more great book recommendations? Give us a call at any branch location or check out the NoveList database for read a likes of your favorite authors, books, and more! Access NoveList through our website using your library card number.

05/21/2026

Big thanks to WSAW for their story about today's "In Our Own Voice" mental health program in coordination with NAMI of Portage and Wood Counties.
The event begins at 3:30pm at our Stevens Point Branch. It's free to attend and no registration is required, but space is limited.

National Alliance on Mental Illness partners with library for 'In Our Own Voice' session

05/19/2026

This May, check out our special display of free-range, grass-fed books – or, more simply, books all about sustainability and nature. A sort of spiritual successor to last month’s garden theme, this display has titles ranging from true stories about living as one with the natural world to novels about our outdoor spaces and the people who work with them. With the weather warming up more and more as we speak, we’re just about reaching the perfect time of year for reading outside. Once you have your deck chairs all set up and cozy for this gorgeous spring, one of these nature-themed books is sure to be the perfect pick for your own little backyard book club!