Waterloo Public Library (West Branch)

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Waterloo Public Library
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Location528 W. 4th St.
Waterloo, Iowa
Coordinates 42°29′32.3″N92°20′36.8″W / 42.492306°N 92.343556°W / 42.492306; -92.343556 Coordinates: 42°29′32.3″N92°20′36.8″W / 42.492306°N 92.343556°W / 42.492306; -92.343556
Arealess than one acre
Built1905
Architect J.G. Ralston
Architectural style Classical Revival
MPS Public Library Buildings in Iowa TR
NRHP reference No. 83000342 [1]
Added to NRHPMay 23, 1983

The Waterloo Public Library 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.

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References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 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