Wisconsinites love their libraries - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

We know Wisconsinites love their cheese and brats.

But, it turns out they are pretty fond of their libraries too.

Earlier this week,  one of the state's top education leaders praised libraries for ranking among the top 10 in the nation for usage. State Superintendent Tony Evers said, "The libraries borrow more than 1 million library materials a week to Wisconsin residents."

Newsline 9 went to the Marathon County Public Library and talked with the Library Services Director, Garrett Erickson. Erickson praised the statewide library system for making it possible to meet request needs from multiple communities.

Erickson says libraries remain strong community partners. As they look to the future, they are seeking new ways to meet the needs of their customers. Paper collections may shrink in size, but Erickson says digital offerings will allow people to take advantage of the library system from the comfort of their own homes.

Still, many library patrons enjoy the quiet setting the library offers. We talked with a number of people at the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau. Several told us they come to the library several times a week if not daily to do work or for enjoyment.