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 MTL NEWSLETTERAUGUST 2025 |
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Welcome from the Library Director!
I am happy to introduce you to the inaugural edition of our new Morrison Talbott Library newsletter! Each month, we will bring you the latest updates, upcoming events, recommended reads, and new resources available at your library. Whether you're a lifelong patron or a first-time visitor, we’re here to help you discover, learn, and connect.
Our library continues to grow as a vibrant hub for knowledge, creativity, and community. I encourage you to explore all we have to offer — from quality programs for all ages, to digital tools and databases, to quiet spaces for reflection and research. Our sensory play space is perfect for play dates while our meeting rooms provide opportunities to gather and collaborate. Our local history and genealogy collections are substantial, and our maker space offers you tools to explore your creativity and imagination.
It is my hope that our newsletter will shine a bright light on this community gem and all that we can do for you!
Thank you for being part of our library family. We’re glad you’re here!
Warm regards,
Jamie
Library Director |
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Adult Services at the Library: More Relevant Than Ever Hello library friends! Libraries are far from a thing of the past—in fact, they’re more essential than ever. Our Adult Services department offers a rich variety of programs and resources designed to inform, inspire, and connect our community. From accessing current and historical newspapers online to diving into genealogy research or learning a new language, the library is your gateway to lifelong learning. Prefer to read or listen on the go? Explore our extensive collection of eBooks and audiobooks, available 24/7. We also offer opportunities to connect in person, including two active book clubs, crafting classes, a supportive Diabetes Support Group, and a calendar full of engaging adult programs throughout the year. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge or simply enjoy great conversation, the library is here for you—today and for the future. Stop by and see us soon! Sherri Adult Services Coordinator |
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The dictionary of lost words : a novel
by Pip Williams
"Esme is born into a world of words. Motherless and irrepressibly curious, she spends her childhood in the Scriptorium, an Oxford garden shed in which her father and a team of dedicated lexicographers are collecting words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. Young Esme's place is beneath the sorting table, unseen and unheard. One day a slip of paper containing the word bondmaid flutters beneath the table. She rescues the slip and, learning that the word means "slave girl," begins to collect other words that have been discarded or neglected by the dictionary men. As she grows up, Esme realizes that words and meanings relating to women's and common folks' experiences often go unrecorded. And so she begins in earnest to search out words for her owndictionary: the Dictionary of Lost Words. To do so she must leave the sheltered world of the university and venture out to meet the people whose words will fill those pages. Set during the height of the women's suffrage movement and with the Great War looming, The Dictionary of Lost Words reveals a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men."
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A street cat named Bob : and how he saved my life
by James Bowen
A U.S. release of a best-selling account from England traces the story of an impoverished London street musician who after saving an injured and highly intelligent cat found his life profoundly changed in unexpected ways.
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Hello from Youth Services! Happy August! It's been a fantastic summer filled with reading, creativity, and learning, and we're so glad you spent it with us! Whether you joined us for one of our enriching programs, completed the reading challenge, or just found a place in the library to read, relax, or play, thank you for making the library part of your summer! As we gear up for the back-to-school season, don’t forget that the library is here to support you year-round. We offer a wide-variety of reading materials, kid-friendly databases, enriching programs, educational kits (early literacy, adventure, & STEAM), and so much more. We’re always happy to help you find books that match your children's interests and reading level. A great place to start is checking out the book award nominees for Illinois, depending on their grade (Monarch, Bluestem, Rebecca Caudill, & Lincoln). In addition, we have an "Award Wall of Fame" program that can earn your child prizes for reading the nominees, there is a book display and printed lists available. Keep an eye on this month’s events —there’s still time for summer fun, and we have great things planned for fall too! Don’t forget—your library card gives you access to amazing free tools to support learning and curiosity all year long: Educate Station – Ready-to-go, teacher-created learning packets for Pre-K through 5th grade, perfect for extra practice at home, BookFlix – A fun and interactive way to build early literacy skills by pairing animated storybooks with nonfiction eBooks, Novel Effect – Add a magical touch to storytime! This app plays music and sound effects that respond to your voice as you read aloud, Little Pim – Designed just for kids, Little Pim introduces new languages through playful videos and themes, and LOTE4KIDS- Classic stories in a wide variety of languages other than English, perfect for learning new languages. I hope to see you at the library soon! Sincerely, Ms. Stephanie Youth Services Coordinator
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STEAM Stories (ages 5-11) Thursday, August 7 at 6:30pm We read a story and then complete some type of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and/or Mathematics activity to go with it. The theme for this month is dogs, since it's National Dog Month. The challenge will be to design a dog agility course for your mini dog figurine to go through! LEGO Day (all ages) Monday, August 11 from 10:00am-8:00pm There are two ways to participate in LEGO Club! During Lego Days, we have many bins of Legos available to build with, in the youth library. For each creation, participants get an entry into the drawing for LEGO gift cards. We also have Lego Club at Home, where you can email pictures of your creations to lego@waterloolibrary.org and get entered into the drawing as well. Adventures in Art (ages 5-11) Registration Required Tuesday, August 12 at 10:00am We will learn about a famous artist and then create a piece inspired by their work. This month we will be creating collage art inspired by Alma Thomas. First Art (ages 2-5) Registration Required Wednesday, August 13 at 10:00am An art program for littles with a focus on the process rather than the finished product. Please dress to be messy! This month we will be reading Katie and the Starry Night and recreating Van Gogh's Starry Night. Sign Language Fun Night (adults & kids ages 5+) Wednesday, August 13 at 7:00pm We will be learning a set of themed vocabulary and completing some fun activities to go with it. This month we will be learning emergency signs! You do not need any sign language experience to attend and the class is led by Sarah, a certified sign language interpreter. |
Family Story Time (all ages) Thursday, August 14 at 6:30pm We read stories, sing songs, and complete some type of activity or craft. This month's theme is Back to School! Imagination Weekend (all ages) Friday, August 15 9:00am-4:00pm Saturday, August 16 9:00am-3:00pm This is an open house free play set up for kids in our large meeting room! Parents & guardians will need to stay with their children. Story Time (ages 2-5) Tuesday, August 19 at 10:00am There will be stories, songs, and fun activities. The theme is potatoes, since it's National Potato Day! Little Movers- Music & Movement (ages 0-2) Wednesday, August 20 at 10:00am This is an opportunity for little ones and caregivers to interact through music, movement, and a story. Teen Arts & Crafts Night (grades 6-12) Registration Required Wednesday, August 20 at 6:30pm Teens will get to design their own notebook using washi tape! Teen Hangout (grades 6-12) Thursday, August 28 from 6:30-8:00pm Teens get to hangout and choose what activities they would like to do. There are snacks, games, crafts, and more. |
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OCLC WorldShare: What does it stand for and what exactly is it? OCLC is short for Online Computer Library Center. It is a nonprofit global library organization that provides shared technology services, original research, and community programs. This database allows libraries from all over the United States to share resources among their patrons. If you request a book that is not available from any of the 520-member libraries of the Illinois Heartland Library System, we can go to the WorldShare catalog and request items from libraries from northern Illinois as well as other states. Items are then mailed to us for free on your behalf. We’ve even had a few items sent to us from the Library of Congress!
All the best,
Kara
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 Genealogy |
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 Youth Programs |
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