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Celebrating 150 Years of Endless Possibilities
Waterloo Public Library is turning 150 on February 18, 2026 – and we’re excited to celebrate this milestone with our community! For a century and a half, WPL has been a place for learning, connection, creativity, and discovery. Now, we’re kicking off a series of activities and celebrations to reflect on our past, enjoy the present, and imagine what’s possible for the next 150 years.
A Season of Celebration
Over the coming months, we’ll be marking our 150th anniversary with special programs, activities, giveaways, and stories from our history. You’ll see moments that look back at where we’ve come from, as well as glimpses of what’s ahead for WPL. It’s all part of Celebrating 150 Years of Endless Possibilities – a chance to highlight the role the library has played in our city and the exciting future still to come.
Where We Started
WPL’s story began in 1876 with a small table of books in the Waterloo Town Hall and a big dream to grow. In 1905, that dream took a huge step forward with a dedicated library building made possible through a Carnegie grant. More than a century later, that spirit of growth continues. Today, WPL includes four vibrant locations across the city, offering more resources, services, and programs than ever before.
And we’re still evolving. Soon, we’ll be renovating our McCormick Branch to make space for even more ways to learn, explore, and connect.
View Our TimelineWhy Libraries Matter
For 150 years, WPL has been helping Waterloo learn, connect, and grow. Today, our vision is just as bold: a community that’s multi‑literate, engaged, and welcoming to everyone.
Libraries matter because they level the playing field. They offer free access, spark creativity, and support wellbeing. They’re places fueled by trust, equity, compassion – and the joy of discovering something new. Our Strategic Plan is all about building the future of WPL with our community. Through co‑design and new ideas, we’re creating a library where everyone belongs and no one gets left behind.
The past 150 years have been full of possibilities – and the next 150 will be too.
Join the Kick-off Celebration
We invite you to help us kick off our 150th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, February 21 at any WPL location. Drop in between 2:00pm and 4:00pm to enjoy treats, giveaways, prizes, and birthday card‑making activities for all ages. Bring a friend, bring your family, and help us launch a season of fun!
Join the PartyThank you for being part of WPL’s story. Here’s to 150 years – and the endless possibilities still ahead.