Waterloo Public Library

09/04/2026

The library will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day.

09/02/2026

Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card! September is library card signup month, so what are you waiting for? Signing up is FREE! And, while you're here, you might as well check out the programs we have to offer this month. 👀 📖⁠
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Some programs require registration. Check out our full calendar here: https://tinyurl.com/SeptemberProgramsWPL

09/01/2026

Check out these upcoming Tech classes we're offering. Topics to be discussed in September: Canva 101, Google Sheets basics, and an introduction to Google Docs/Google suite.

Registration is required and limited to 10 participants per session. Be sure to grab your spot while you can!

https://tinyurl.com/WPLTechClassesNEW

Photos or videos may be taken at this program.

08/31/2026

Movie night doesn't require Wi-Fi. 🎬🍿

Take a break from streaming—or enjoy a movie night without internet. Our movie-loving staff have put together a Binge Box collection that includes 6 to 9 films centered around favorite actors, acclaimed directors, iconic film series, memorable decades, and other fun themes. You might even discover a new favorite along the way. Just borrow a box, pop the popcorn, and press play!

Binge Box Borrowing Information:
Available to anyone with a Waterloo Public Library patron card in good standing.
Each library card may check out one Binge Box at a time.
Binge Boxes check out for 14 days.
Binge Boxes are not eligible for renewal.

Grab a binge box and get your movie marathon started!

08/28/2026

Come work with us! We help people, create great experiences, and have a lot of fun along the way.
We’re hiring a 29-hour Library Assistant to join our team. If you enjoy connecting with the community and making a difference every day, we’d love to hear from you.
See details and apply here: https://www.waterloopubliclibrary.org/job-openings

08/28/2026

https://conta.cc/4qMjZU2

Email from Waterloo Public Library Events, new services, and more to explore this month. Library Closings The library will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day. The library will be closed Fr

08/25/2026

Our Reference Librarians and Library Assistants have been hard at work adding local history postcards to the library’s Historical Cedar Valley database, uncovering fascinating pieces of Waterloo’s past along the way. We’re excited to share some of their favorite finds with you.

In early 1897, the East Side school district, suffering from severe overcrowding in its buildings, proposed the construction of a new high school building to house students in grades 8 through 12. After the district successfully passed a $20,000 bond issue in March of that year, the firm Orff & Joralemon of Minneapolis was chosen to design the new school. Construction got underway that summer, and the new school opened in December 1897. After the current East High School building opened in 1919, this building became a junior high, and was used as such until the early 1950s. The building was demolished in 1953 after the city purchased the land to use for the site of a new city hall.

https://historicalcedarvalley.omeka.net/items/show/552
https://waterloohistory.omeka.net/items/show/227

08/19/2026

Thursday, August 13th was a very cozy, very bookish day at the library. 📚✨

We welcomed 102 community members who joined us for our very first Bookish Fair! An evening inspired by the nostalgia of the Scholastic Book Fairs we loved as kids, but with a decidedly more grown-up twist.

The library was filled with local makers, book lovers, crafts, cozy things, and plenty to explore. Community members could check out local vendors, try their hand at crafts, enjoy demos and simple tarot readings, and even print their own bookmark using a printing press, thanks to Pretty Good Co.

A huge thank you to Pretty Good Co., Rooted Charm, Crafty Cat Creations, Good Game, Studded with Love, Jim’s Scroll Saw Artistry, and RAYGUN for joining us and helping create such a fun opportunity for our community.

But honestly, our favorite part was seeing the library connect people with the small businesses and makers who make our community special. That’s exactly the kind of thing we love seeing happen here.

For a first-year event, we couldn't have asked for a better Bookish Fair. ❤️

Didn't make it this time? Follow along so you don't miss the next one!

08/17/2026

Deliver the joy of a story to children by becoming a Traveling Tales volunteer!

The library is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to visit area daycares and preschools once a month to present storytime. The program runs from October through May and all materials are provided.

Email Missie at [email protected] or call 319-287-3976 for more information.

08/11/2026

Our Reference Librarians and Library Assistants have been hard at work adding local history postcards to the library’s Historical Cedar Valley database, uncovering fascinating pieces of Waterloo’s past along the way. We’re excited to share some of their favorite finds with you.

In January 1903, A.D. Schorle sold the Vienna Model Bakery, then located at 306 E. 4th St., to C.F. Altstadt, William Langlas and Joseph Langlas. The company grew rapidly, and by 1905 the Altstadt & Langlas Baking Co. was planning to build its new bakery building at the corner of Mulberry and Elm Streets. The original building was 48 x 84 feet, and cost $7000 to build. The ground floor was used for the bakery department, the basement for storage of supplies, and the second floor was used as a flour room. The business was planning to employ 9 bakers, and had 5 delivery wagons. According to the reminiscences of Fred Willard, an early employee, “Bread was baked in a “card”, 14 loaves in a pan and called “white house” bread, not wrapped. It sold 33 loaves for $1, wholesale price.” The plant was expanded again in 1907, 1910 and 1912, until it appeared as it does in this image.

https://historicalcedarvalley.omeka.net/items/show/536