The library will be closed Sunday, March 31. Have a great holiday!

YOUR NEW LIBRARY CATALOG IS HERE!

Exciting news! The library has moved to a new library management system. This means a new catalog with improved search functionality for you! Additionally, some account settings will change. Here are some of the changes you can expect beginning today:

LOGGING INTO YOUR ACCOUNT

You will still log into your account using your library card number. However, each library account will have a new PIN/Password. Your new PIN/Password will be the last four digits of your phone number beginning today. If you have trouble logging in, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be here to help you. :) 

CHANGING YOUR PIN/PASSWARD

Once logged in, you may change your PIN/Password by going to the Account Settings → Reset PIN/Password. Use a four-digit number. You will use this number on the catalog, at the self-checkout in the library, and on the Libby app. 

OPTING INTO RECORDING YOUR READING HISTORY

You may opt into recording your reading history by logging into your account and selecting “Reading History.” Select “Start Recording My Reading History” to turn on this feature. You may stop recording the history at any time.

We thank you for your continued patronage of the Waterloo Public Library. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we transition over to this new system.

Pajama Storytime

March 4 | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Conference Room

Put on your comfiest PJs and join us for bedtime stories! A craft and snack will be provided.

Age group: birth-kindergarten

Ekphrastic Poetry

March 5 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Waterloo Center for the Arts

Teaming up with the Waterloo Center for the Arts, we're hosting an afternoon focused on art and poetry. We'll kick things off with a brief workshop on Ekphrastic Poetry (poetry inspired by other art pieces). After that, feel free to roam around the WCA to write about the rotating exhibit, showcasing artist Emily Minnie's work. We'll reconvene as a group to share what everyone has written, or you can simply listen in.

Registration is required. Please register here.

Age group: Adults

The 1,000 Book Giveaway!

March 11 - 17

Celebrate the World's Greatest Spring Break with a free book! Visit the Youth Department while supplies last to get yours! Grades: 5th grade and below

The 1,000 Book Giveaway is generously sponsored by the R.J. McElroy Trust.

Teen Pokémon League

March 12 | 4 pm - 5:30 pm | Conference Room

Do you have what it takes to be a Pokémon Champion? Join us for our first Pokémon League night, where you'll learn the basics of battling, have the chance to explore thousands of cards, build your own deck, and talk strategy with the other players! Once you've built your decks, we will keep them here at the library for future tournaments. Stop in and play them with friends anytime you want!

Registration is required. Please register here.

Age group: Grades 4-9

A Book Discussion with Linda McCann: Rosie the Riveters of Iowa

March 12 | 6 pm - 7 pm | Conference Room

During WWII, there was a special campaign sent out to encourage women to work outside the home. "Rosie the Riveter" was the name given to those women. Speaker Linda McCann interviewed 35 women from Iowa who worked as Rosies, and is here to share their stories with us for Women's History Month!

Copies of Linda's book will be available for purchase and signing at the event. The cost of the book is $20 payable by cash or check.

Age group: Adults

Georgia O'Keeffe Inspired Art Night for Kids!

March 13 | 6 pm - 7 pm | Conference Room

To celebrate Youth Art Month AND Women's History month, we invite young artists to join us for a Georgia O'Keeffe inspired art class! We'll learn about O'Keeffe and take inspiration from Iowa's landscape to create art pieces influenced by her distinct style. Prepare to get a little messy! Registration is required. Please register here.

Age group: Grades 1-5

Women's History Month Storytime!

March 15 | 10:30 am - 11:15 am | Storytime Corner

Join us for a special storytime where we'll hear stories about some amazing women who changed history!

Age group: Birth-Kindergarten

Lace-Up Your Skates

April 12 | 2 pm-3 pm | Young Arena

WPL and Young Arena have teamed up once again to bring children grades 1-5 skating, crafting, and snacking on a no-school day in Waterloo! Registered children will receive a free skate rental and 1 hour of ice time, take part in an icy-themed craft, and enjoy a pre-packaged snack.

Registration is required by April 11. Limited to 50 participants. Please register here.

Children must be accompanied at the event by a responsible adult. No drop-offs, please.

Age group: Grades 1-5

Knitting & Crocheting

March 6 | 5:30 pm-7:30 pm | The Hive

Do you want to learn how to knit or crochet? Are you a self-proclaimed expert who is looking for some designated time to work on a project? Join us for a knit and crochet drop-in in the Hive! Different patterns and supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring any materials of your own that you wish to use! A staff member will be available to help anyone who needs support.

Age group: Adults

Hive Tech Class: Cricut Basics

 March 12 | 10:30 am - 11:30 am | The Hive

Want to learn more about our Cricut? Join us for this instructional class in the Hive where you'll learn how to use the Cricut Design software, as well as the Cricut basics! We'll start in the Conference Room to get everyone familiar with the design software, then move into the Hive to get some hands-on experience. There won't be time for everyone to cut their own designs during the class, so we will have some pre-cut examples made for participants to place onto a shirt, tote bag, phone case, etc. If you'd like to personalize your items with a design, please bring them along. Get ready for a crafting session!

Registration Required. Please register here.

Age group: Adults

TEEN Hive Night: Minecraft Maker

 March 25 | 4 pm - 5:30 pm | The Hive

Use Perler beads to make your own Minecraft creation in the Hive! Try your hand at making Creepers, Ghasts, an Elder Guardian, an Axolotl, or make your own Minecraft inspired design. Perfect for keychains, bookmarks, decorations for your backpack, or stunning work of art!

Registration is required. Please register here.

Age group: Teens

DIY: Make Your Own Apron

 March 27 | 11 am - 3 pm | The Hive

Stay clean in the kitchen when you learn how to make your own apron! Supplies will be provided.

Registration is required. Please register here.

Age group: Adults

Apple Device Help

 March 22 | 11 am - 12:30 pm | Conference Room

Do you have specific questions about your Apple iPhone or devices? Join us for this Q&A-style class where you'll get the answers you need!

Registration is required. Please register here.

Age group: Adult

Choose Your Own Adventure Read-Aloud Book Club

March 5 | 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Conference Room

It's time to Choose Your Own Adventure! Kids in grades 4-6 are invited to come on a reading adventure where they'll get to choose the path the group takes along the way. Our Youth Librarian will read the story as you follow along. We will be meeting on the first Tuesday of the month through March, reading one book per month! Participants are welcome to join anytime, either in person at the library or virtually via Discord. At the end of our adventure, participants will earn a free Choose Your Own Adventure book of their choice! Registration is required for all participants, so please do so here.

Registrants who are interested in participating virtually will need to call the Youth Department at 319-287-3976 to receive the link.

Age group: Grades 4-6

Teen Manga Club!

March 13 | 4 pm - 5 pm | Teen Department, 2nd Floor

We're hosting a Manga club for teens! We'll talk about our favorite series, favorite characters, and enjoy some fun treats, including snacks from a monthly Snack Box subscription. Don't see a series in our collection that you think we should have? We'll also talk about making suggestions for what the library should order so others can check them out and enjoy! Whether you're a seasoned reader or new to Manga, we've saved a spot for you!

Age group: Teens

STEM

March 17 | 3 pm - 4 pm | Conference Room

WPL will be hosting youth STEM activities every third Sunday of the month through March 2024. Come join us for these family-friendly events with STEM-themed stations where you'll be able to test the latest gadgetry and so much more!

Age group: Youth, Families

Board Game Night

March 26 | 5 pm - 7:30 pm | Conference Room

In collaboration with Friendly Meeple, the WPL is hosting Board Game Night! We'll be playing games from Friendly Meeple's personal library of 400+ board games, as well as the games in our collection available for checkout. This event is free and open to anyone wanting to get their game on!

Age group: Adults

LET'S CREATE TOGETHER!

The Waterloo Public Library is pleased to provide access to a Prusa Mini+ 3D printer to our patrons. The purpose of our 3D printer is to encourage users to learn about new technologies, exercise their imaginations, and create new projects.

NEW TO THIS? Find a ready-to-make project online! 

www.thingiverse.com is a great option for already available projects that are free to download as a .STL file. You can create an account for free as well!

HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE? Design your own 3D project!

Use your own CAD program or create a free account on www.tinkercad.com (online and free 3D project design software).

Interested in learning more? Click here to find out how to create one-of-a-kind 3D prints through your library.