This cache is only available during business hours which are:
- Monday - Thursday, 9a to 8p
- Friday, 9a to 5p
- Satuday, 9a to 1p
- CLOSED on Sunday
WGTPL,which is also a Carnegie library, was opened to the public on November 20, 1912 with two hundred books on the shelves, which had been donated by the generous citizens of Waterloo & Grant Township.
On May 14, 1913 a letter was received from the Carnegie Corporation stating they "would be glad to give $9000 (valued around $212,000 today) to erect a free public library building for Waterloo." By August 14, construction on the new library was under way and was finally completed by January 26, 1914.
The cornerstone embossed with the name "Carnegie" was ceremonially placed on August 30, 1913. Mrs C.H. Brooks, a member of the school board delivered the address of the welcome which included: "I wish you would spend a few minutes with me in thinking of the man
(Carnegie), who through his generosity, has made it possible for us to meet here today to lay the cornerstone of this building....we hear him spoken of kindly sometimes, but often unkindly as the "Steel King", the "Wall Street Boss", but we will think of him as the little Scotch stow-a-way who had no money to pay his passage.... He landed in America homeless, friendless and penniless... To him, America was opportunity, and we will see this thrifty Scot using the time, wasted by others, in acquiring knowledge and thereby increasing his capacity for usefulness.... I like to think of him...the alert faithful employee, the masterful, competent employer, and as wealth came to him the philanthrupist and benefactor of millions."
WGTPL has seen a lot of change over the last century.
- In 1989, an addition of 2,600 square feet was completed.
- In 1992, the library purchased its first computer for the public.
- In 2007, the library was named a "Five Star Library"
- In 2012, it is one of the busiest places in town & used by people of all ages.
- In 2013, the celebration of the library's centennial included groundbreaking for the newest addition.
Please be respectful of patrons, the staff & the library itself. There is a little room for small trade items & the staff have donated a few pens for the first few finders. Please take your time & have a look around at our newly updated library.