Waterloo Public Library (West Branch)

The Waterloo Public Library (West Branch) is a historic building located in Waterloo, Iowa, United States. The public library was established there in 1896.[2] It operated out of two rented rooms, one on the east side of the Cedar River and other on the west side. The Carnegie Foundation agreed to grant the community $21,000 to build this building and a similar amount for the east side branch on April 11, 1902.[3] Waterloo architect J.G. Ralston designed both buildings in the Neoclassical style. They were both dedicated on February 23, 1906. The single-story brick structure has a projecting entrance pavilion capped with a triangular pediment that is supported by Ionic columns. Also noteworthy are the corner piers that feature bands of brick squares set into the stone.[4] In 1977 voters in Waterloo approved a $3,650,000 bond referendum to renovate the city's 1938 post office and federal building to house the library.[2] The post office vacated the building in 1979 when it relocated. The old library building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[1] It now houses law offices.

Waterloo Public Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	528 W. 4th St. Waterloo, Iowa
Coordinates	42°29′32.3″N 92°20′36.8″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1905
Architect	J.G. Ralston
Architectural style	Classical Revival
MPS	Public Library Buildings in Iowa TR
NRHP reference No.	83000342[1]
Added to NRHP	May 23, 1983

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. "History". Waterloo Public Library. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
3. "Carnegie Libraries of Iowa Project-Waterloo Public Library (West Side)". University of Iowa. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
4. Samuel J. Klingensmith. "Waterloo Public Library-West Branch". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-11-23. with photos