Library and Education


One of the best places in Waterloo is the Morrison-Talbott Library, located at 215 Park St. The friendly staff offers help with a wide range of services available to residents of Waterloo and surrounding areas. A major service, in addition to thousands of items in the library itself, is the ability to order a wide variety of books, DVDs, audio books, magazines, Playaways and more, from over 500 libraries in our automation consortium. The library offers meeting and study rooms, public-use computers, wireless internet access, a library-sponsored book club, online catalog, computer databases, Cloud access for downloading e-books and timely programs on topics from wildlife research to estate planning and health improvement. Various activities at the library include craft classes, local-author book signings, trivia nights, movie nights and excellent children’s programs.

For those interested in tracing their ancestry, the library has an extensive collection of genealogy and local history materials, both in print and on microfilm. In addition, access to genealogical databases is provided in
house and on our website.

The children’s area offers materials for pre-readers, including board books and picture books. Beginning readers may choose from reading levels 1 to 4. Juvenile fiction and non-fiction, DVDs, puppets, puzzles, games, Legos and other items encourage learning, play and exploration. Children programs include Storytimes, Lego Club and movie days. Each summer a Reading Program is provided with reading incentives and engaging programs and activities for both children and adults.

Not to be missed is our bi-annual book sale offered in the spring and fall of each year.

Information on current library events is shown on the marquee out front; published in the Republic-Times; posted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest; and on the library website: www.waterloolibrary.org. The staff can always be reached for help by phone, (618) 939-6232, or by email, mtl@waterloolibrary.org.

  • Morrison-Talbott Library | 215 Park St.
  • Creative Touch Cosmetology School | 234 E. Third St.
  • W.J. Zahnow Elementary School | 301 Hamacher St.
    (Grades K-1)
  • Rogers Elementary School | 200 N. Rogers St.
    (Grades 2-3)
  • Gardner Elementary School | #1 Ed Gardner Pl.
    (Grades 4-5)
  • Waterloo Junior High School | 200 Bellefontaine Dr.
    (Grades 6- 8)
  • Waterloo Senior High School | 505 E. Bulldog Blvd.
    (Grades 9-12)
  • SS Peter & Paul Catholic Grade School
    217 W. Third St.
  • Gibault Catholic High School | 501 Columbia Ave.
  • Sylvan Learning Center | 347 Covington Dr.
  • Monroe County CEO Program

The Monroe County Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program is a community partnership between local high school students and area businesses that transforms the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. Class takes place five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. when school is in session. For more information about this tremendous program, visit www.monroecountyceo.com.

– Written by Elaine Steingrubey, Morrison-Talbott Library