Waterloo Public Library Friends hosting sale on Feb. 28

Anyone wanting to add to their book collection or downsize should visit the Friends of the Waterloo Public Library. Terry Seliga, an employee at the Waterloo Public Library, said, “Friends of the Waterloo Library is a non-profit group that has been in operation for 50 years, just celebrating that milestone this year.  Our greatest effort is raising funds for the library, through used book sales, either in the bookstores or online.”

The funding, Seliga said, “can be used for a variety of needs. We have replaced copiers, dollar bill changers, equipment for the Hive, which is an area with some items for hobbies such as, button makers, sewing machines, Cricut machines and printers.”

One of the bigger fundraisers for the Friends occurs in the downstairs of the library on Saturdays, three times a year. Visitors pay $5, and they will get a bag to fill as full as they can with books. The next bag day is coming up on Feb. 28.

The next bag days are set for May 30 and Aug. 8. Members of the Friends have an exclusive early day to shop the bag sales. Memberships begin at $10 and range to as much as one wants to donate and last for one year. Those with membership can shop the bag days two days earlier than the general public. With a membership, these early access days are Feb. 26, May 28, 2026 and Aug. 6. If you don’t have a membership and decide you want one, you can go to the bag sale and buy a membership then. 

The library also has a book store on the second floor, which is open year round and during all normal library hours. According to Seliga, the prices range from $1-$2. Patrons can pay with cash or a check.

The bag days are held in the library basement, where patrons will find many stacks of books. Seliga said, “I put our stock at in excess of  15,000 books. Modern, classics, sci-fi, fantasy, kids, teen and non-fiction. We have quite a selection.”

The Friends also sponsor events throughout the week for everyone, including crafts, book clubs, discussions about books, and journaling. Each event is different in its own unique way. Check the library for a calendar of upcoming events or sign up for a monthly email listing opportunities.

According to Seliga, Friends volunteers working there have good memories of their service. Seliga said, “Any time we connect a reader with their intended book, it’s gratifying.”

The library accepts books, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines and textbooks as donations. Anyone can donate books during the regular library hours. They would prefer it if people brought fewer than five boxes of stuff a day. They prefer that the stuff you donate is in a condition suitable to sell.

Seliga has his favorites as well. He said, “I am in a most fortunate position to have such a vast selection and I have enjoyed all I have read. But the two that are somewhat near and dear are.  Parnassus on Wheels and The  Haunted Bookshop, both by Christopher Morley.”

Waterloo Public Library is located at 413 Commercial Street. The upstairs bookstores hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturdays are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays are noon to 5 p.m. The basement is also open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.