(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!
Imagination Weekend (all ages)
Friday, September 12 9:00am-4:00pm
Saturday, September 13 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, September 4 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 If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen and then they will be creating their own mini house!
LEGO Day (all ages)
Monday, September 8 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)
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)
Storytime Adventures (ages 2-5)
*Registration Required
This is our new Storytime and more program for 2-5 year olds. It will be a monthly four-week rotation as follows:
1st & 3rd Tuesdays will be our regular Storytime with stories, songs, & activities. (9/2 & 9/16)
2nd Tuesday will be an open-house playtime with a variety of toys. (9/9)
4th Tuesday will be a First Art class and will focus on the process rather than the finished product. (9/23)
There will not be any activity if a 5th Tuesday falls during the month.
Book Wizards Book Club (grades 3-5)
*Registration Required
Tuesday, September 9 at 6:30pm
This book club will meet monthly on the second 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. September’s theme is to bring/read a favorite book!
Family Storytime (all ages)
Thursday, September 11 at 6:30pm
We read stories, sing songs, and complete some type of activity or craft. This month’s theme is Sign Language for Deaf Awareness Month!
Bookmarked Book Club (grades 6-8)
*Registration Required
Tuesday, September 2 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. September’s theme is to bring/read a favorite book!
Teen Arts & Crafts Night (grades 6-12)
*Registration Required
Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30pm
Teens will get to design their own canvas bag using a tye-dye painting method!
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.
Teen Hangout (grades 6-12)
Thursday, September 25 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, September 10 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 “Hands That Talk” for Deaf Awareness Month! 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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