The library will be closed Sundays, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

In observance of Memorial Day, the library will be closed Monday, May 26.

Get ready for an unforgettable summer! Youth & Teen programs kick off in June!

Click here to explore the full lineup today!

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!

Storytime with K-9 Mary & her handler Karla

May 3

10:30 am - 11 am | Meeting Room AB

Join us for a special storytime with K-9 Mary and her handler Karla from the Black Hawk County Sherriff's Office! Karla will introduce Mary, explain what her job is and how she helps people, then read a story! Stay afterwards for a craft and the chance to win a K-9 stuffie.

Age group: Youth

Bike Safety Check

May 6

4 pm - 6 pm | Library Courtyard

Celebrate National Bike Month at the WPL by gearing up for a smooth ride! Join experts from the Waterloo Bicycle Collective as they inspect your bike, make minor adjustments, and provide expert advice on any necessary repairs. Don’t let a tune-up slow you down—get road-ready with us! In case of rain, we’ll meet in the library’s garage.

Age group: All Ages

Knights of the Square Table: Teen Chess Club

May 12

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

Cedar Valley's Youth Read

May 13

6:30 pm - 8 pm | Meeting Room AB

Join us for a special event with our Author in Residence, Wendy Parris! A Waterloo native, Wendy returns to share her experiences, writing journey, and insights—aiming to inspire young readers and aspiring authors to follow their dreams.

Age group: All Ages

The Golden Pages Book Club

May 14

10 am - 11 am | Conference Room



Join us for the Golden Pages Book Club! This book club is open to all older adults who love great books and even better conversation. We will meet every second Wednesday of the Month in the Conference Room on the second floor of the library to discuss a different title each month.

May's title is: The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

Age group: Seniors

Bookmark Break

May 16

9:30 am - 11 am | Fat Cup Coffee Company

37 Fletcher Ave., Waterloo, IA 50703

We’re excited to introduce Bookmark Break—a monthly silent book club designed for introverts and book enthusiasts alike! Bring your own book or explore a small selection of titles available for checkout from the library, and enjoy a peaceful hour of reading surrounded by fellow book lovers.

Join us on the 3rd Friday of each month at the Fat Cup Coffee Company in Waterloo. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind, read, and connect (silently!) with others who share your passion for books.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Victoria at vwilliams@waterloopubliclibrary.org.

Age group: Adults

Teen Escape Room: The Wizard of Oz

May 16, 17, 19, 20 & 21

Various Time Slots | Library Basement

Great news! The Wicked Witch of the West has melted away—now it's up to you to uncover what she left behind! Team up with the mysterious Wizard of Oz to decipher hidden clues, navigate tricky traps, and uncover the truth before time runs out.

Registration is REQUIRED. Secure your time slot by visiting the Youth Department or calling 319-287-3976.

Age group: Teens

Storytime with Maizie Mermaid

May 17

10:30 am - 11 am | Meeting Room AB

Join us for a very special storytime with Maizie Mermaid! Enjoy a mermaid-themed story, learn how to dance like a mermaid, and color a Maizie Mermaid coloring page. Kids will even have a chance to have their picture taken with Maizie at the end of the program!

Age group: Birth-Kindergarten

Spring Author Seedbed Series: A Writer's Guide to Book Publishing

May 20

2 pm - 3:30 pm | Conference Room

Join Jim O'Loughlin, author and Head of the UNI Department of Languages & Literatures, for an insightful guide to the book-publishing process! Whether you're aiming to work with one of the "Big 5" publishers, an independent press, or pursue self-publishing, there are numerous paths for writers looking to bring their work to the world. Following the program, a selection of Jim's books will be available for purchase—cash or card only.

Age group: Adults

Portraits at the Plaza

May 21

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Library Courtyard

Capture the perfect portrait—for free—at the WPL! Join us as our library staff captures the picture-perfect family, friend group, couple, or individual photo.

Registration is required so please do so here: https://tinyurl.com/WPLPortraits

Check-in at the Library's courtyard with our staff and choose from our selected nearby locations.

When registering, please select your preferred time slot—each 30-minute session is limited to 8 groups, so secure your spot soon! Since photos will be taken outdoors, a rain date is set for May 29 in case of bad weather. Participants will receive their photos via email within a few days.

*Due to staff and patron safety, pets are not allowed

Age group: All Ages

Rock Painting Party

May 23

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm | Meeting Room AB



Stop in to the library and paint rocks with us! Create a pet rock friend, make a beautiful self-portrait, paint a landscape, the possibilities are endless!

While supplies last.

Age group: Youth

Share Your Photos of the Cedar Valley!

The Waterloo Public Library is creating a community photo display to celebrate the unique beauty and shared connections across the Cedar Valley, including Black Hawk County and the city of Waverly.

We invite you to participate by sharing photographs that capture what the Cedar Valley means to you. Whether it’s family moments, your favorite park or trail, a beloved restaurant, or a stunning view that reminds you of home, your photos can help us build a visual tapestry of our community.

Submission Details:

1. How to Submit: Send your photos digitally via this form https://tinyurl.com/MyCedarValleyPhotoDisplay
2. What to Include: Photos can be historic or current—whatever best represents your Cedar Valley experience.

Display Information:

1. When & Where: June 1–July 31 at the Waterloo Public Library, 2nd-floor window area.
2. Afterward, the display will travel to other participating libraries in the Cedar Valley.

Let’s come together and showcase the heart of our community. Your perspective matters—help us create something meaningful!

Participating Libraries

May 7: Apple and Android App Basics

9:30 am-10:30 am | Conference Room

Join us for a tech class that's all about the apps! Whether you have an Apple or Android device, we are here to guide you through the vast world of apps for both types of devices.

Registration Required. Please register here.

Age group: Adults

May 21: Computer Anatomy

9:30 am-10:30 am | Conference Room

Our tech experts are here to teach you all about the different parts of a computer to help you better understand your machine, how it works, plus tips on troubleshooting if anything goes wrong.

Registration Required. Please register here.

Age group: Adults

May 28: Intro to Google Drive and Google Docs

9:30 am-10:30 am | Conference Room

Learn how to utilize Google Drive and Google Docs at this intro-level tech class.

Registration Required. Please register here.

Age group: Adults

First Friday Flick

May 2 | 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 A Real Pain.

Age group: Adults

LEGO Lab

May 4 | 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: Families

Teen Writer's Workshop

May 14 & 28 | 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

Youth STEM Lab

May 18 | 3 pm - 4 pm

Meeting Room AB

WPL will be hosting youth STEM activities every third Sunday of the month running January through May! 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: Families