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In 2026, Waterloo Public Library proudly celebrates its 150th birthday—marking a century and a half of learning, connection, and community in the heart of the city. From its humble beginnings as a single table in the Waterloo Town Hall to the vibrant, multi-branch system residents know today, the library’s story is one of growth alongside the people it serves.
This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the spaces, services, and moments that have shaped WPL over the past 150 years—and to celebrate the role it continues to play in Waterloo’s future.
Circulation desk at the first library building at Albert and Dorset streets, 1903-1905
Waterloo Public Library began in 1876 with a single table in the Waterloo Town Hall. From that modest start, it has grown into four branches that serves residents across the city.
Photo: Circulation desk at the first library building at Albert and Dorset streets, 1903-1905
In 1888, the library became the Waterloo Free Library. Instead of charging a two-dollar subscription fee, it was supported through local tax funding. This change made library service available to more people and helped establish it as a central part of community life.
Photo: Postcard depicting the front of the first library building at Albert and Dorset Streets known as the Carnegie Library, 1906.
A postcard depicting an illustration of the original Carnegie Library in Waterloo, 1867.
A group of children at a storytime program in the original library building in 1960.
As Waterloo expanded, a dedicated building became necessary. In 1905, a grant from Andrew Carnegie provided the funding needed to construct a new library.
Use of the library continued to increase. In 1931, the second floor was renovated to create a Children’s Department. The work was carried out by local residents who had lost employment during the Great Depression. The project both improved library service and provided much needed jobs during a difficult time.
Photo: Children at story time, c.1960.
By the early 1960s, Waterloo’s population growth once again required more space. As part of Canada’s Centennial projects, plans for a new main library were proposed in 1963. On June 11, 1966, the new building opened to the public.
Photo: Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new library building, June 1966. Left to right; Brian Land, Director of the School of Library Science, University of Toronto (cutting the ribbon); Waterloo Alderman Russell Ledger; Chief Librarian James J. Brown; Paul Bauer, Chairman, Waterloo Public Library Board.
Ribbon cutting ceremonies at the new Main Library building, 1966
Main Library interior sometime between 1966 and 1987: a man sitting at a table taking notes, bookshelves in the background.
The new library had colourful furniture, a teen section and a vinyl record room. The building reflected changing ideas about how library spaces could support learning, recreation, and community gathering.
Photo: Main Library interior, c.1966-1987.
WPL expanded further in 1973 with the opening of the Parkside Branch, later renamed the McCormick Branch. It shared its building with the Albert McCormick Arena. Combining recreation and library services under one roof proved effective and became a model for the later branches of Harper and Eastside.
Photo: McCormick Branch (formerly Parkside Branch), 1984.
Parkside Library (now McCormick Branch), 1984
Exterior of the Main Library as seen from Caroline Street, 2001.
In 1989, after two years of construction, an addition to the Main Library was completed. The expanded space allowed the library to respond to continued population growth and increased demand for services.
The late 1990s marked the beginning of a new chapter. Waterloo Public Library received funding to provide public access to the internet. It soon launched its first website and became the first library in Waterloo Region to offer public WiFi.
Photo: Main Library exterior from Caroline Street, 2001.
By 2011, the population in Waterloo had more than doubled since the McCormick Branch was built, thus leading to the next location’s conception and development: the John M. Harper Branch, which opened in October.
Photo: Exterior of John M. Harper Branch, 2011.
Exterior of John M. Harper Branch in 2011
Exterior of Eastside Branch during opening party in May 2022
Most recently, on May 7, 2022, the Eastside Branch opened at RIM Park. Designed by John MacDonald Architects, it introduced dedicated spaces such as a Naturespace, Digispace, and Gamerspace. It also received the Ontario Library Association’s New Library Building Award.
Photo: Eastside Branch Grand Opening party, May 2022.
For 150 years, Waterloo Public Library has grown alongside the city it serves. Through changing technologies, economic challenges, and a global pandemic, it has remained focused on providing access to information, programs, and shared community space. Its history reflects a continuing commitment to meet the needs of Waterloo residents, now and into the future.
Photo: Construction paper hearts posted with feel-good messages for Library Lover’s Month, 2023.
Paper hearts with loving messages about the library, hanging on a wall at one of the WPL locations