Waterloo Public Library
🏢 Waterloo Public Library · Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo Public Library
The Waterloo Public Library anchors the Cedar Valley community from a handsomely renovated Great Depression-era federal building on Commercial Street, housing two New Deal murals, a fully equipped makerspace called The Hive, and passport acceptance services under one roof.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9 AM – 7 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 7 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM – 7 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM – 7 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 12 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 415 COMMERCIAL ST, WATERLOO, IA 50701
Phone: +1-319-291-4480
Website: waterloopubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 86J9FMW5+FG (WATERLOO, IA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Waterloo Public Library
Waterloo Public Library occupies a distinctive building on Commercial Street that once served as Waterloo's main post office and federal building during the Great Depression. When the library moved in during the late 1970s, it preserved two New Deal-era murals commissioned by the federal government: Edgar Britton's <em>Exposition</em>, depicting the National Cattle Congress, and <em>Holiday</em>, showing a pastoral picnic scene — artwork that turns a library visit into a small history lesson. In 2021 the library marked four decades at the Commercial Street location. Today the building is home to The Hive, a public makerspace offering 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital fabrication tools available free to cardholders. The library also accepts U.S. passport applications and offers notary services, making it a practical one-stop community hub for Black Hawk County residents.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Housed in a renovated 1930s federal building featuring two Edgar Britton New Deal murals
- The Hive makerspace with 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital fabrication — free to cardholders
- U.S. passport acceptance facility on site
- Notary services and exam proctoring available
- "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" early literacy program
- "Historical Cedar Valley" local history database
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Waterloo library card unlocks Iowa's statewide digital resources:
📚 Services
- The Hive makerspace (3D printing, laser cutter, digital fabrication)
- U.S. passport acceptance facility
- Notary services
- Exam proctoring
- Meeting room reservations
- Public computers & free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan
- Library of Things (tool & equipment lending)
- Tech assistance for all skill levels
🎸 Programs
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy initiative
- Summer Reading Program for children, teens, and adults
- Story times for toddlers and preschoolers
- Technology and digital literacy workshops
- Book clubs and reading groups
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northeast Iowa
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Hive at the Waterloo Public Library?
The Hive is a free public makerspace inside the Waterloo Public Library offering equipment such as 3D printers, a laser cutter, and digital fabrication tools. Any library cardholder can use the space — no prior experience is required, and staff are on hand to help with projects.
Can I apply for a U.S. passport at the Waterloo Public Library?
Yes. The library is an official U.S. passport acceptance facility. Bring your completed DS-11 application form, proof of citizenship, a valid photo ID, one passport photo, and the applicable fee. Call (319) 291-4480 to confirm current appointment availability.
What are the two murals in the Waterloo Public Library?
The library building was originally a federal post office constructed during the Great Depression. Two New Deal murals by artist Edgar Britton are on display: <em>Exposition</em>, depicting the National Cattle Congress, and <em>Holiday</em>, a picnic scene. Both are part of the federal public-art program of the 1930s.
Is the Waterloo Public Library open on Sundays?
Yes, the library is open Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Monday through Thursday hours are 9 AM–7 PM, and Friday and Saturday hours are 9 AM–5 PM.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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