Hours:
Tue:
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thu:
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Members of Kids Club working on the new landscape project for the library entrance.
Waterville Public Library
The Waterville Public Library was established in 1994. A group of citizens worked tirelessly to create this public entity for the betterment of the community, and it remains open through the generosity of private citizens and tax dollars from the City of Waterville, Paint Creek Township and Allamakee County. The recent Library Expansion Project resulted in a very successful move and renovation of the original library space to a larger facility, the former Town Hall. This was possible through the contributions of the city of Waterville, combined with grant funding from the Allamakee County Foundation, the Waterville Community Foundation and several other grants, and also including donations from area businesses as well as personal contributions from area residents.
Library Directors and Staff
Heather Bente, Director
Mary Techau, Board President
Sharon Palmer, Secretary
Marlys Leiran
Amy Hagen
Cindy Gibbs
Russ Hagen
The library sponsors programs and workshops for the public as well as guest speakers as the opportunities arise. The annual Summer Reading Program is popular and different arts and craft classes are held year 'round for excellent programming for area residents.
Most of the interior design work was planned and completed by Heather (Hilleshiem) Bente and her father Bill Hilleshiem, who both spent many hours working on this library renovation project.
Robin Larson (seated) introduced her latest book
"We Remember Waterville" at the Library in 2010.
The children's St. Patrick's Day party 2015.
A couple of classes held each year at the library are the basket weaving workshops and also the making of the Christmas wreaths. These classes are always popular and also act as fund raising events for the Library.
This library has a main emphasis on the children. There are areas in the library that are specially designed to make this a popular place to visit by the kids.
One of the areas in the library is a meeting room that can be used by appointment by community organizations.
The School Reunion Commitee of the Waterville Foundation took on a project a few years ago to frame all of the graduation classes from the Waterville High school. Some of these pictures are on display in the library and the rest are displayed in the City Council room in City Hall.
From this, the original library...
The bookshelves in the new library were manufactured and donated by inmates at Luster Heights Prison Camp near Harpers Ferry.
...to this, the library project is complete now. The support that was shown for this project from the community, businesses and grant foundations was overwhelming to everyone involved.
The Waterville Library was presented a check for $2500 by the America's Farmers Grow Communities/Monsanto Fund. The 2015 recipients in Allamakee County were Kris and Greg Hoins, Waterville area farmers, shown presenting this check to members of the Library Board.
The new library is located in the old town hall, where there were many square dances and birthday parties along with a few wedding receptions held. With the help of many people, including City Council members and Library Board members working with the surrounding community, the library renovation project has turned out to be an overwhelming success. It is a beautiful facility and hopefully soon we will be able to get a senior citizens meeting schedule planned and started. Take an opportunity to visit our library. If you graduated from Waterville High School you will enjoy the graduation class pictures that are displayed.
Become a Friend of the Library by visiting Waterville Library on Facebook to keep you informed of the many classes and workshops that are sponsored through the year.
You can also check them out at www.waterville.lib.ia.us