MTL NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2025
https://waterloolibrary.org/
NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Banned Books Week is coming up, and you might be asking yourself the question, “What is a banned book?”
 
By simple definition, a banned book would be one that has been “officially or legally prohibited” from public availability. Often, book challenges come before a book is permanently removed from
circulation, and as you can imagine, book challenges happen for a variety of reasons including content that is deemed sexually explicit, containing offensive language, depicting racism or violence, or containing LGBT characters. However, you might be surprised by these book titles, the year and the reason why they were challenged:
 
 
 ~ Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - 1969; Supernatural themes and child sent to be bed hungry
 
~ Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank - 1983; Sexually-explicit passages and called “a real downer”
 
~ American Heritage Dictionary - 1987; Objectionable words
 
~ James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - 1999; Foul language, the use of tobacco & whiskey, and a spider licking its lips
 
~ Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White - 2006; Talking animals
 
 
~ The Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling - 2007; Sorcery
 
~ The Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey - 2012; Offensive language and unsuitable for kids
 
 
~ The Skippyjon Jones series by Judy Schachner - 2018; Mexican cultural stereotypes
 
You can find more information online about book challenges and permanent bans. I encourage you to challenge yourself by reading a challenged or banned book. If you do, stop by the circulation desk, and ask for your very own “I READ BANNED BOOKS” button! And, if you ever have questions or concerns about a book, reach out to me to discuss.

Happy Reading!
 
Jamie
Director
UPCOMING EVENTS OF NOTE

OCTOBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
 
ADULT PROGRAMS & SERVICES
From the Adult Services Coordinator: Monthly Highlight
 
Bringing the Library to You – Homebound Delivery Service 
Starting November 1st, Morrison-Talbott Library is excited to bring the library right to your door! Our new Homebound Delivery Service offers Grab & Go Bags filled with books, DVDs, and audiobooks for anyone who is permanently or temporarily unable to visit the library due to a medical condition.
We believe everyone deserves access to stories, learning, and entertainment—no matter their circumstances. If you or someone you know could benefit from this caring service, we’d love to help. Just give us a call at 618-939-6232 or email mtl@waterloolibrary.org to get started.
 
Sherri
Adult Services Coordinator
 
OCTOBER ADULT PROGRAMS
 

BOOK CLUB PICKS
 
 Moxie & Mocktails Book Club
 
 Meeting October 23 @ 7:00 PM
Broken country : a novel
by Clare Leslie Hall

When her brother-in-law's actions reconnect her with a former love, Gabriel, whose son eerily resembles her deceased child, Beth's carefully constructed life unravels as past secrets and jealousies resurface, leading to deadly consequences and a difficult choice
 Page Turners Book Club
 
Meeting October 15 @ 3:30 PM
The house on Vesper Sands : a novel
by Paraic O'Donnell

A Victorian-inspired supernatural mystery by the award-winning author of The Maker of Swans follows the experiences of a Cambridge dropout and his savvy detective partner, who connect a paramour's disappearance to a bizarre suicide.
Meeting November 19 @ 3:30 PM
Tell me everything : a novel
by Elizabeth Strout

While defending a lonely, isolated man accused of killing his mother, town lawyer Bob Burgess falls into a deep and abiding friendship with acclaimed writer, Lucy Barton, and together they meet the iconic Olive Kitteridge and spend afternoons in Olive's apartment, telling each other stories, which imbues their lives with meaning.
Book Recommendations - What Will You Read Next?
Courtesy of the Friends of the Morrison-Talbott Library

YOUTH PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Fall into Adventure at the Library!

Fall is here, and the library has wonderful opportunities for teens and families, so be sure to check out a full list of youth programs on our website!
 
~ TeenTober™-  all month long! Teens (grades 6–12) who complete five activities on the game board by October 31 earn a prize and a chance to win an Oh Sugar! or Amazon gift card. Pick up a game board at the library or print a copy from our website.

~ Teen Hangout – Oct. 30, 6:30 pm | Snacks, games, and crafts (grades 6–12).

~ Teen Arts & Crafts Night – Oct. 21, 6:30 pm | Halloween painting project. Registration required.

~ Bookmarked Book Club – Oct. 7, 6:30 pm | Monthly book club (grades 6–8). October’s theme: Spooky!
 
Ms. Stephanie
Youth Services Coordinator
 
OCTOBER YOUTH PROGRAMS
View a complete list of our youth programs on our website here
 
CATALOGER'S CORNER
 
What does THAT mean??
 
Difference Between “holds” terminology
 
When you request an item, it will go through one or more of the following stages:

Active - A hold has been placed onto your account; it hasn’t been filled or there aren’t enough items available to circulate.

Inactive - A hold has been placed onto your account for a future date.

Pending - An item has come available at a library, and it is waiting to be scanned in the library’s system to ship out.

Shipped - The requested has been scanned and is being sent in the delivery tubs to one of the three hubs (Champaign, Carbondale and Edwardsville) to be sorted.

Held - The item has been scanned into your home library and is waiting for you to pick it up. Items can be held up to eight days before being returned to the owning library.

Unclaimed - The item has been sitting on the holds shelf past the eight day hold period and must be sent back to the owning library.

Canceled - An item has not been claimed or has been returned to the owning library.

If you ever have any questions about the status of your request, just give us a call!
 
Kara
Cataloger
 
LIBRARY HIGHLIGHTS
Genealogy 
Library of Things
 
Illinois Libraries Present
 
 
 
LIBRARY NEWS
FREE GED Classes offered at MTL

Did you know that we partner with the Monroe Randolph Regional Office of Education to offer High
School Equivalency classes right here in Waterloo?! Classes are held at MTL on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am-1:00pm. Classes are also offered in Columbia, Chester, Sparta and Steeleville at different days and times. Students can begin at any time, and instruction is individualized for each student’s needs. English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction is also free! Stop by the library, or call the ROE at 618-473-8945 for more information.
 
Winter Coat Swap

Morrison-Talbott Library will be hosting a Winter Coat Swap in October! The Drop-Off Day for items will be on Friday, October 17 from 9:30am-4:30pm. Bring your pre-loved winter coats, hats, gloves, & scarves that are in good condition & clean please. The “Shop” Day is on Saturday, October 18 from 9:30am-12:30pm. Come find and take what you need, regardless if you donated or not. There is no cost! All leftovers from the swap will be donated after the event.
 
TeenTober Challenge

TeenTober™ is a nationwide celebration hosted by libraries every October and aims to celebrate teens and promote teen programming. During October, any teen (grades 6-12) that completes any five activities on the game board and turns it in by October 31 will get to choose a prize and be entered in a prize drawing for an Oh Sugar! and Amazon Gift Card! Game boards can be picked up at the library. Please ask a librarian if you have any questions!
 
 
 
 
E-RESOURCES
 
Here are just a few of the great resources you can access for FREE with your library card! Check out a complete list HERE:
 
 https://waterloolibrary.org/electronic-resources/
 
 
 
Want to know more about what's going on at the library? Follow us on social media! 
For more details or questions, please contact the library. 
Morrison-Talbott Library
215 Park Street
Waterloo, Illinois 62298
618-939-6232
https://waterloolibrary.org