What's Happening


Throughout February, explore the powerful traveling exhibit Mapping Exclusion: Redlining in Iowa on the library's second floor. Presented by the African American Museum of Iowa, this exhibit offers a compelling look at the history and impact of redlining in the state.

$5-a-Bag Book Sale


The Friends of the Waterloo Public Library $5-a-Bag Book Sale brings you the best deal in town. If you love books, this sale is for you! We supply the bags; you fill them up!


Members-Only Sale*

February 27

5 pm - 7 pm

Library Basement


*Memberships will be sold at the door.

Public Sale

March 1

9 am - 2 pm

Library Basement

Please note, the basement will be closed the Monday following this sale, so Friends have the opportunity to tidy up.


All proceeds benefit special events and programming at the library.

Take Your Child to the Library Day!

February 1 | 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Meeting Room AB


Join us for Take Your Child to the Library Day on February 1st! Bring the whole family to celebrate with a puppet show, scavenger hunt, and plenty of fun, library-themed activities! Enjoy some tasty snacks as you explore everything your local library has to offer. We can’t wait to see you there!


Age group: Birth-Kindergarten


Family Storytime with Chuck E. Cheese

February 3 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Meeting Room AB


Join us for a Chuck E. Cheese storytime! We'll read "The Story of Chuck E. Cheese" and the mouse himself will be here to teach kids how to do the "Me & My Friends" dance. Enjoy a craft, pizza, and a drink on us! While supplies last.


Age group: PreK-2nd grade


Teen Chess Club: Knights of the Square Table

February 10 | 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Conference Room


Join Teen Librarian Dusty and other chess enthusiasts for our new chess club— the Knights of the Square Table! Compete against fellow players, challenge your friends, and experience the thrill of timed matches. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned player, all skill levels are welcome to participate. All players will have the opportunity to win cool prizes and earn titles like "Knight of the Month"! Snacks are provided.


Age group: Teens

Community Craft Corner

February 11 | 5:30 pm - 7 pm | The Hive


Join us for a drop-in crafting session in the Hive! Bring along any current craft projects you’re working on—any and all portable crafts using library-safe materials are welcome. Don’t have a project or supplies? No problem! We’ll provide a variety of materials for you to use. Come enjoy a relaxed, supportive environment where you can work on your crafts with no pressure and no critique.


Age group: Adults

Teen: Creepy Dolls in the Hive!

February 14 | 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm | The Hive


Create a creepy doll in the Hive—the perfect Valentine’s Day gift with a twist! Using simple sewing, shaping, and decorating techniques, we’ll craft eerie yet lovable creatures together. All materials are provided, so drop in and join us while supplies last!


Age group: Teens

Literary Lifeline Blood Drive

February 17 | 10 am - 2:30 pm | Conference Room


Give a gift straight from your heart-WPL is hosting a blood drive! Although walk-ins are accepted, appointments are preferred. Visit the link below for more information about what to bring, how to prepare for a donation, and to make an appointment. To find our location on the Red Cross website, simply search the library's zip code in the search bar at the top of the page. Are you ready to help save a life today?


https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/before-during-after.html


Age group: Adults

Together We Read

February 17 & 24 | 5:30 pm - 7 pm | Meeting Room AB


We want to inspire engagement, creativity, and academic success through a love of reading! Join us for this free family event, where each child will receive a free book after every session, and dinner will be provided. To register, please call the Youth Department at 319-287-3976.


Special thanks to our sponsors: Humanities Iowa, Prairie Meadows, and Variety, the Children's Charity.


Age group: Grades 1-5 (younger siblings may attend)

Dungeons & Dragons 50th Anniversary One-Shot

February 19 & 20

5 pm - 7:30 pm | Meeting Room AB


Dungeons & Dragons turns 50 this year! To celebrate, join us for a one-shot campaign where we will be using D&D 5th Edition 2024. There is room for one group of 5 teens and one group of 5 adults per day. So more can play, please only register for a single session by age group. Level 3 characters will be pre-built to allow participants more time for role-playing, please email Keegan at klittle@waterloopubliclibrary.org if you have any character preferences. 


Age group: Teens & Adults


Registration is required. Please register for the appropriate age group and date below.

Teen Group


February 19: Register here.

February 20: Resister here.

Adult Group


February 19: Register here.

February 20: Register here.

Mapping Exclusion: Redlining in Iowa

February 26 | 6 pm - 7 pm | Conference Room


The African American Museum of Iowa presents Mapping Exclusion: Redlining in Iowa. Redlining is the systematic denial of various services by federal and local government agencies and the private sector to residents of specific neighborhoods. Black populations in seven Iowa cities– Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Dubuque, Davenport, Des Moines, and Waterloo– were subject to redlined mapping. Join us for this fascinating presentation where we'll learn that by understanding the history of redlining, we can see how these policies impact Iowans today.


Age group: Adults

The Idea in You:

A Celebration of Creativity with Drum Iowa

February 28 | 1 pm - 3 pm | Meeting Room AB


Mark the end of Black History Month with a celebration of creativity at the WPL! Join us for a reading of "The Idea in You" by Questlove, followed by an Introduction to Drumming class taught by local artist Myqwaun Bailey. Once inspired, you'll have the chance to create your own art! All craft materials will be provided.


Age group: Families

Tech Help Drop-in

February 5 & 19 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am | The Conference Room


Need tech assistance or advice? Staff will be here for an hour each session to help you with anything technology related. So bring your devices and your questions, and we'll do our best to assist you with all of your tech needs!


Age group: Adults

Cyber Security

February 12 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am | The Conference Room


This workshop will introduce newly connected computer and internet users to basic safety when they visit websites, create passwords, and receive email and other communication from potential fraudsters.


Age group: Adults


Registration Required. Please register here.

Internet Basics

February 26 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am | The Conference Room


This workshop will introduce basic terminology, functionality, and navigation of internet browsers, search engines, and websites.

Age group: Adults


Registration is required. Please register here.

Recurring Events

LEGO Lab

February 2 | 3 pm - 4 pm

Meeting Room AB


Join us for LEGO Lab at the library. We'll provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination. Once completed, your creation will be on display in the Youth Department!


This month's theme is: Something You Love


Age group: Families

Knitting & Crocheting Drop-in

February 5 | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The Hive


Do you want to learn how to knit or crochet? Are you looking for some designated time to work on a project? Join us for a knitting and crocheting 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

Family Movie Night

February 6 | 6 pm - 8 pm

Meeting Room AB


Join us for family movie night every first Thursday of the month! We'll have movies, popcorn, and drinks for everyone to enjoy.


This month's title is The Wild Robot.


Age group: Youth

First Friday Flick

February 7 | 10 am - 12 pm

Meeting Room AB


Join us the first Friday of the month to catch a new release (or classic film) on the big screen! Popcorn and soda provided free of charge. Sponsored by Friends of the Waterloo Public Library.


This month's title is Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.


Age group: Adults

Teen Writer's Workshop

February 19 | 4 pm - 5 pm

Conference Room


Are you an aspiring novelist, poet, or someone who loves writing short stories? Join us for our Teen Writer's Workshop! We'll work with different writing prompts and brainstorm ideas for our writing. Those comfortable sharing their work with others are encouraged to do so! Whether you're looking for a quiet place to write or an animated group of voracious readers to get ideas from, all are welcome!


Registration is required. Please register here.


Age group: Teens grades 6-12

Kids Board Game Night

February 25 | 6 pm - 7:30 pm

Meeting Room AB


Join us for a fun-filled family board game night! Explore a wide selection of games from our collection, all available to play and check out. There’s something for everyone, so bring the whole family and enjoy an evening of friendly competition and laughter!


Age group: Families

Book Clubs

Teen Manga Club

February 11

4 pm - 5 pm | Teen Department


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!

The Well Read Club

February 10

Virtual: 6 pm - 7 pm 


If you're looking to broaden your reading horizons, have we got the book club for you! The Well Read Club meets virtually from 6pm-7pm every month to discuss a selected fiction or nonfiction title. We'll read anything and everything!


Join us and our special guest host Dr. Julie Husband from UNI to discuss Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.


To participate, email Nolan at nrochford@waterloopubliclibrary.org at least one day before the event. Virtual meeting details to follow registration.

Battle of the Books Book Club

February 18 | 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm Storytime Room


Get ready for Battle of the Books! Join us on the third Tuesday of each month to hang out and chat about selected titles from the 2024-2025 Battle of the Books list. Each session will feature themed art projects, fun activities, and snacks. Even if you're not competing at your school, we’d LOVE to have you join us to talk about some fantastic books!


Registration is encouraged but not required. Please register here or call the Youth department at (319) 287-3976 if you have any questions.


We will be discussing The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas.


Age group: Fourth - Sixth Grade

Altered Reality Book Club

February 27 | 5:30 pm - 7 pm 

Doughy Joey's

300 W 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50701


Love Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or any type of Speculative Fiction? If so, join the Altered Reality Book Club at the WPL! This book club will meet at Doughy Joey's in Waterloo on the fourth Wednesday of each month.


We will be discussing Legendborn by Tracy Deonn.


To participate, please email Sarah at ssellers@waterloopubliclibrary.org.


Once registered, you'll receive more meeting details. A limited number of copies of each month's selected titles will be available for checkout. You may also download digital copies from Hoopla.com.

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