(618) 939-6232
215 Park St. Waterloo, IL 62298
For every five 2026 nominees that you read from one of the lists: Monarch (Kindergarten – 3rd grade), Bluestem (3rd – 5th grade), Rebecca Caudill (4th – 8th grade), and Lincoln (9th-12th grade) and turn in by May 15, 2026, you will earn a special scratch-off ticket for a chance at prizes and get entered in the grand-prize drawing! You can earn up to four tickets by reading all twenty books. Be sure to check back in March of 2026 to vote!
Youth & Teen Programs and Events
Imagination Weekend (all ages)
Friday, October 3 9:00am-4:00pm
Saturday, October 4 9:00am-3:00pm
This is an open house free play set up for kids in our large meeting room! Parents & guardians will need to stay with their children.
STEAM Stories (ages 5-11)
*Registration Required
Thursday, October 2 at 6:30pm
We read a story and then complete some type of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and/or Mathematics activity to go with it. We will be reading Room on the Broom by Chris Van Dusen and then they will be completing a broom challenge!
LEGO Day (all ages)
Monday, October 13 from 10:00am-8:00pm
There are two ways to participate in LEGO Club! During Lego Days, we have many bins of Legos available to build with, in the youth library. For each creation, participants get an entry into the drawing for LEGO gift cards. We also have Lego Club at Home, where you can email pictures of your creations to lego@waterloolibrary.org and get entered into the drawing as well.
Little Movers (ages 0-2)
*Registration Required
Music & Movement Days: These are the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 10:00am and is an opportunity for little ones and caregivers to interact through music, movement, and a story. (9/3 & 9/17) (10/1 & 10/15)
Play & Learns Days: These are the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month from 9:30am-12:30pm and will be an open-house playtime with a variety of toys. (9/10 & 9/24) (10/8 & 10/22)
Storytime Adventures (ages 2-5)
*Registration Required
This is our storytime and more program for 2-5 year olds. It will be a monthly four-week rotation as follows:
1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 10:00am will be our regular storytime with stories, songs, & activities. (10/7 & 10/21)
2nd Tuesday will be an open-house playtime with a variety of toys from 9:30am-12:30pm. (10/14)
4th Tuesday at 10:00am will be a first art class and will focus on the process rather than the finished product. (9/23) (10/28)
There will not be any activity if a 5th Tuesday falls during the month.
Book Wizards Book Club (grades 3-5)
*Registration Required
Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30pm
This book club will meet monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. Books are chosen by members and are based on a theme. There will be book related discussion, games, activities, etc. October’s theme is read a book that has been made into movie or TV show.
Family Storytime (all ages)
Thursday, October 9 at 6:30pm
We read stories, sing songs, and complete some type of activity or craft. This month’s theme is Fire Safety Month and we will have special guests from the Waterloo Fire Department!
Wizarding Night with 4H (ages 8-14)
*Registration Required
Wednesday, October 22 at 6:30pm
The University of Illinois Extension will provide a fun night with various activities, themed around the wizarding world.
Bookmarked Book Club (grades 6-8)
*Registration Required
Tuesday, October 7 at 6:30pm
This book club will meet monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. Books are chosen by members and are based on a theme. There will be book related discussion, games, activities, etc. October’s theme is spooky!
Teen Arts & Crafts Night (grades 6-12)
*Registration Required
Tuesday, October 21 at 6:30pm
Teens will get to paint a Halloween-themed painting!
Adventures in Art (ages 5-11)
*Registration Required
Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30pm
We will learn about a famous artist and then create a piece inspired by their work. This month, we will be learning about Leonardo da Vinci and recreating the Mona Lisa.
Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30pm
We will learn about a famous artist and then create a piece inspired by their work. This month, we will be learning about Edvard Munch and then kiddos will recreate their own version of the scream painting.
Teen Hangout (grades 6-12)
Thursday, October 30 from 6:30-8:00pm
Teens get to hangout and choose what activities they would like to do. There are snacks, games, crafts, and more.
Sign Language Fun Night (adults & kids ages 5+)
Wednesday, October 15 at 7:00pm
We will be learning a set of themed vocabulary and completing some fun activities to go with it. This month the theme is Halloween and you are welcome to wear your family-friendly costume! You do not need any sign language experience to attend and the class is led by Sarah, a certified sign language interpreter. A parent/guardian will need to attend with any youth ages 5-12.
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