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The library will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, for Veterans Day.
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The library will close at 5pm on Wednesday, November 26, and remain closed Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Book Discussion with Author Jeff Bremer
November 1 | 3 pm - 4 pm | Meeting Room AB
Join us for a special author talk with Jeff Bremer! He’ll share insights from his book A New History of Iowa and discuss his work as a professor of American and Iowa history at Iowa State University.
After the talk, stick around for a Q&A session with the audience!
Age group: Adults
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Teen Journaling Club
November 4 | 3 pm - 4:30 pm | Conference Room
Take a break and join us for a relaxing journaling session just for teens! Whether you love writing, doodling, or just need a quiet space to reflect, this club is a great way to explore your thoughts and creativity. All supplies will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own if they wish.
Registration is required and limited to 25 participants, so please do so here: https://tinyurl.com/WPLJournalClub
Age group: Teens
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Trivia Night at SingleSpeed!
November 4 | 6 pm- 7:30 pm | SingleSpeed Brewing, 325 Commercial St., Waterloo, IA 50701
Join us for another exciting Trivia Night at SingleSpeed! Gather your team or join one when you arrive and put your knowledge to the test across a variety of fun topics. Food and drinks will be available for purchase—feel free to grab something while competing to see who comes out on top! Don't miss out on the fun!
Age group: Adults
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Senior Wellness & Screening Series
November 12 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am | Meeting Room AB
Take charge of your health with our monthly wellness events—absolutely FREE! Each screening comes with a special program to help you live well and stay safe all year long. These programs are in partnership with Thrivera atHome.
This Month's Topic: Balance Assessment
Stay Safe This Winter – Discover how balance and wellness go hand-in-hand, plus take on our Winter Wellness Challenge!
Age group: Adults
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Youth Dance Party!
November 17 | 2:30 pm - 4 pm | Meeting Room AB
It's getting colder outside- warm up with a Youth Dance Party! Kids ages Birth - 5th Grade and their families are invited to show off their best dance moves with us! Snacks and drinks will be provided; all you need to bring are your dancing shoes!
Age group: Kids ages Birth - 5th Grade and their families
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Death Café with Melinda Heinz
November 21 | 3 pm - 4:30 pm | Meeting Room AB
Join us for a Death Café–an open discussion event where anything surrounding the topic of death is on the table. Melinda Heinz will be here to lead the discussion and answer any questions you may have. Refreshments provided.
Registration is required and limited to 20 participants, so please do so here: https://tinyurl.com/DeathCafeWPL
Age group: Adults
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Teen Laser Tag Night
November 22 | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Meet in Library's Courtyard
Get ready for the ultimate teen library takeover at our Teen Laser Tag Night! Round up your squad and get ready for an epic night of strategic battles and endless fun. We'll provide pizza and snacks to keep you fueled for the action-packed games ahead. Grab your lasers and let the excitement begin! Doors open at 5:30pm sharp, and registered teens should meet in the library's courtyard.
Registration is required and limited to 40 participants, so please do so here: https://tinyurl.com/TeenLaserTagNight. Included in the registration is a waiver every participant needs to sign. Please complete said waiver and bring it to the Youth department no later than Friday, November 21.
Age group: Teens
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Ultimate Pokémon TCG Showdown!
November 25 | 4 pm - 6 pm | Meeting Room AB
Have you ever wanted to learn how to battle with Pokémon cards? Or maybe you’re already a Pokémon Master? Join us for an epic battle royale where you can win over 100 Pokémon cards, build your own battle-ready deck, and challenge other players. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this event is packed with Pokémon fun!
Registration is required so please do so here: https://tinyurl.com/WPLPokemonShowdown
Age group: Teens
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November 5: Media and Digital Literacy
11 am - 12 pm | Conference Room | Registration Required
Library Assistant Josée will explain the changing landscape of our digital media and resources to give Internet users some tips and tricks to navigating the world wide web. Registration is required and limited to 10 participants per session. Be sure to grab your spot while you can!
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November 12: Tech Help Drop-In
11 am - 12 pm | 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!
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November 19: Google Sheets for Beginners
11 am - 12 pm | Conference Room | Registration Required
Library Assistant Sindhu will provide the basics you need to feel confident in using the free spreadsheet application, Google Sheets. Registration is required and limited to 10 participants per session. Be sure to grab your spot while you can!
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LEGO Lab at the Library
November 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 Things that Go
Age group: For children in 1st–5th grade
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Family Movie Night
November 6
6 pm - 7:30 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 Karate Kid: Legends (2025).
Age group: Youth, Families
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First Friday Flick
November 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 F1: The Movie
Age group: Adults
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Teen Writers Workshop
November 12
4 pm - 5:30 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!
Age group: Teens grades 6-12
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Senior Social Hour
November 13
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Library's Second Floor
Join us for Senior Social Hour—a time for good conversation and light activities. Enjoy games, puzzles, coloring sheets, and more, all while sipping complimentary coffee and tea and connecting with others in the community.
Age group: Seniors
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STEM Lab
November 16
3 pm - 4 pm
Meeting Room AB
WPL will be hosting youth STEM activities every third Sunday of the month running October through March! 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: For children in 1st–5th grade
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Fall Author Seedbed Series: Writing Honest Fiction with Jeremy Schraffenberger
November 18 | 2 pm - 3:30 pm Conference Room
Join UNI professor and author Jeremy Schraffenberger for a discussion on the art of fiction writing! Drawing on his experience as an Editor for the North American Review and his own work as a novelist, Jeremy will cover the essential elements you need to craft your own work of fiction.
Age group: Adults
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Teen Anime & Manga Club
November 18
4 pm- 5 pm
2nd Floor Teen Zone
We're hosting an Anime and 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 Anime and Manga, we've saved a spot for you!
Age group: Teens (6th through 12th grade)
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Knitting & Crocheting Drop-In
November 25
3:30 pm - 5:30 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 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
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The Well Read Club
November 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!
We will be discussing Dog Flowers by Danielle Geller.
To participate, email Josée at jvarboncoeur@waterloopubliclibrary.org at least one day before the event. Virtual meeting details to follow registration.
Age group: Adults
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Booked: Tween Book Hang
November 18 | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Storytime Room
Let's hang out and talk about books! Tweens in Grades 5-8 are invited to join us on the 3rd Tuesday of the month to chat about selected titles from the 2025-2026 Iowa Children’s Choice Award list. We'll have themed art and activities, talk about other books we've read, and enjoy some snacks! To participate, check out a copy of the book at the circulation desk or check Libby and Hoopla for the eBook or audiobook.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Participants can register via our website, by calling the Youth Department at 319-281-3976 or emailing wplyouthdept@waterloopubliclibrary.org.
This month's title is: A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner
Age group: Grades 5-8
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Altered Reality Book Club
November 20* | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Doughy Joey's
300 W 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50701
*This program will take place one week earlier than usual due to the holiday.
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 The Past Is Red by Catherynne M. Valente.
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.
Age group: Adults
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