Youth & Teen | Morrison-Talbott Library

2026 Award Lists

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!

Winter Reading Challenge Forms

Youth Winter Reading Challenge

From December 11 through February 14, kids and teens can take part in our Winter Reading Challenge! We have three different challenge sheets, one each for ages 0–5, 6–11, and 12–17. Complete any eight activities and bring your sheet back to the library to earn a free RMC Cinemas movie ticket, generously provided by our community partner, First Community Credit Union in Waterloo. It’s a great way to keep young readers engaged all winter long!

Winter Holiday Family Packets

Looking for something festive to do together at home? Our family packets are filled with seasonal activity sheets and creative ideas for all ages. Also included is our “Disguise the Gingerbread Man” project where you will decorate, disguise, and return it to the library to be part of our holiday display. Don’t worry, you’ll get your masterpiece back! (Packets will be available starting December 11 at our Christmas Open House.)

Youth & Teen Programs and Events

Imagination Weekend - a book opened up to castle, rainbow, hot air balloon

Imagination Weekend (all ages)

Friday, January 23 9:00am-4:00pm

Saturday, January 24 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.

Family Storytime (all ages)

Thursday, January 8 at 6:30pm

Join us for stories, songs, and activities/crafts. All ages are welcome to attend! This month’s theme is games! There will be board games available to play together at the end of the program.

LEGO Day (all ages)

Monday, January 12 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)

This program is on break until February.

Storytime Adventures (ages 2-5)

This program is on break until February.

STEAM Stories (ages 5-11)

This program will not meet in January.

Adventures in Art (ages 5-11)

*Registration Required

Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30pm
Youth will create an art project based on a theme or inspired by a famous artist. In January, our theme is winter.

‘Noon’ Year’s Eve Party

*Registration Required by December 27

Tuesday, December 30 from 10:30am-12:30pm

Activity Stations from 10:30-11:45am

Balloon Drop & Countdown to ‘Noon’ Year’s Eve from 11:45am-12:30pm.

Kids Wonderland Zumba

*Registration Required

Monday, January 5 at 10:00am

The Monroe County YMCA will be here to offer a Kids Zumba session for kids age 3-10. Join us for a lively morning of dance and fun! Kids Wonderland Zumba brings upbeat music, easy-to-follow movies, and plenty of smiles. It’s a great way for kids to stay active, express themselves, and enjoy a playful workout in a welcoming environment.

Book Wizards Book Club (grades 3-5)

*Registration Required

Tuesday, January 13 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. January’s book theme is a graphic novel.

Bookmarked Book Club (grades 6-8)

*Registration Required

Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30pm

This book club meets 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. January’s book theme is a book that a movie or TV show was based on.