MTL NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2026
https://waterloolibrary.org/
NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR
New Year, New Language
My love of travel began years ago as an exchange student in southern Italy, and this year I hope to return. To reconnect with friends I made there decades ago, I’m brushing up on my Italian, and enjoying the mental challenge that comes with learning something new. Research even suggests that learning a new language as an adult may help slow cognitive decline.
If you or your children are interested in exploring a new language, Morrison Talbott Library offers many FREE resources:
  • Mango: Conversation-based language learning for all ages
  • Little Pim: Fun, engaging language videos for young children (via Mango)
  • LOTE4Kids: Picture books and audiobooks in 100+ languages for all ages
  • ASLdeafined: Videos and a sign dictionary for learning ASL
  • Libby & cloudLibrary: E-books, audiobooks and magazines in many languages
  • Kanopy: Foreign films and The Great Courses for language learning
This year, skip the scrolling and try learning a new language.  Your brain will thank you!
 
Jamie
Director

EVENTS OF NOTE
 
FEBRUARY CALENDAR
 
 
ADULT PROGRAMS & SERVICES
We kicked off January by launching two brand-new programs, and both are already off to a fantastic start. Our Movie Night Club saw its very first film, The Housemaid , during a Sunday matinee—and everyone agreed it was a pleasant surprise and thoroughly enjoyable. Send an email to sherrit@waterloolibrary.org or call 618-939-6232 to get added to the distribution
list announcing upcoming movies that the group is planning on seeing.
 
We also introduced a monthly video trivia program at the Senior Center, beginning with a fun, low-pressure 1950s-themed game. With multiple-choice questions, a friendly atmosphere, and a
delicious lunch enjoyed beforehand, the event was a hit. Trivia got underway around noon, and the good times rolled from there.
The next trivia event will take place on Monday, February 9, featuring the theme “Advertising Slogans, Jingles & Taglines.” For more information, please contact
sherrit@waterloolibrary.org.
 
We had a full house for the Great Morrison-Talbott Library Puzzle Race where nine teams of 4 all raced to complete a 500 piece winter scene jigsaw puzzle. The puzzles and snacks were
supplied by the library and the first place team won a fun prize.
 
The top 3 winning teams were:
 
First place went to Dawn Williamson, Grace Hooser, Annie
Dent and Karen Dent with an impressive 46 minutes
completion time.
 
 
Second place went to Stephanie Bastien, Jason
Bastien, Crystal Schmierbach and Mike
Schmierbach with an equally impressive time of 51
minutes.
 
 
Third place went to Sheryl Lutz, Clara Lutz, Cassie
Lutz and Dan Lutz, a team of three generations with
a time of 1 hour and 13 minutes.
 
 
Plans are already underway to do a summertime
puzzle race, so be on the look-out for additional
information in the next several months.
 
Sherri
Adult Services Coordinator
 
FEBRUARY ADULT PROGRAMS
 
2025 YEAR IN REVEIW

HOMEBOUND DELIVERY
At Morrison-Talbott Library, we believe everyone deserves
access to great books, movies, and more—no matter their situation. If you or someone you know can’t make it to the library due to illness, a medical condition, or mobility challenges, our Homebound Delivery Service is here to help.
 
Visit our website to learn more about this program and how to apply: https://waterloolibrary.org/homebound-delivery/
 
BOOK CLUB PICKS
 
 Moxie & Mocktails Book Club
 
Meeting February 26 @ 7:00 PM
Great Big Beautiful Life: Reese's Book Club by Emily Henry
Great Big Beautiful Life: Reese's Book Club
by Emily Henry

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist, still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they're both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th century, ... Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she'll choose the person who'll tell her story--
 Page Turners Book Club
 
Meeting February 21 @ 3:30 PM
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Attachments
by Rainbow Rowell

From the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slow Dance, Wayward Son, Fangirl, Carry On, and Landline comes a hilarious and heartfelt novel about an office romance that blossoms one email at a time....Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives. Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now--reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be internet security officer, he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers--not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke. When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. He can't help being entertained, and captivated, by their stories. But by the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself. What would he even say...?
Book Recommendations - What Will You Read Next?
Check out our library Goodreads page!   Courtesy of Friends of the Morrison-Talbott Library

 YOUTH PROGRAMS & SERVICES
February Fun at the Library (All Programs Are FREE!)
 
February is full of fun for kids and families at Morrison-Talbott Library! Join us for special events, storytimes, and activities all month long. Be sure to checkout the youth page on our website for a complete list of programs and all of the details.
 
Take Your Child to the Library Weekend | February 6–7
Celebrate the magic of libraries with a weekend of family fun!
  • Friday, Feb. 6: Stuffed Animal Sleepover Drop-Off (4:00–6:00 pm)
    Drop off a stuffed animal your child can spend the night without. Advanced registration required; space is limited.
  • Saturday, Feb. 7: Storytime (10:00 am)
    Pick up your stuffie and enjoy a special storytime together! You are welcome to join us, even if you didn’t have a stuffie stay the night!
  • Book Bingo (1:00 pm)
    All ages welcome—win books as prizes!
Programs Returning (Registration Required)
  • Little Movers (Ages 0–2): Music, movement, and play, starts on February 4
    • Music & Movement (1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 10:00 am)
    • Play & Learn (2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 9:30 am–12:30 pm)
  • Storytime Adventures (Ages 2–5): Stories, play, and art, starts on February 3
    • Storytime (1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 10:00 am)
    • Playtime (2nd Tuesdays, 9:30 am–12:30 pm)
    • First Art Days (4th Tuesdays, 10:00 am)
Illinois Youth Book Award Voting: Feb. 15–Mar. 14
Kids and teens in grades K–12 can vote for their favorite Illinois Youth Book Award titles after reading the required number of books. Each participant receives an “I Voted!” sticker!
 
Winter Reading Challenge – Last Call!
Turn in completed challenge sheets by February 14 at MTL to earn a free RMC Cinemas movie ticket (ages 0–17). Certificates must be redeemed by February 28 with Waterloo First Community Credit Union.
Visit the library or our website for registration details and more information—we can’t wait to see you at a program soon!
 
Ms. Stephanie
Youth Services Coordinator
 
FEBRUARY YOUTH PROGRAMS
View a complete list of our youth programs on our website here
 
CATALOGER'S CORNER
 
All my holds came in at one time! Is there a way to prevent that from happening?
Absolutely!
When talking to a librarian, we can activate a hold for a specific future date. Just let us know what date you would like.

Using Aspen website:
  • Go to your Holds shelf
  • Click “Suspend Hold” next to the item
OR
  •  Check the box next to the item, scroll to the bottom and select “Freeze Selected Pending”
Using SHARE Mobile App:
  • Place the item on hold
  • Select “Suspend Hold” in the yellow box
  • Click “Select date” and a calendar will pop up
 
Spacing out your holds keeps you from being overwhelmed by multiple titles arriving at once. It’s great for series of books, movies or TV shows and it’s useful if you will be out of town and want your items ready for you upon your return. This way you can enjoy your selections at a more manageable pace!
 
Kara
Cataloger
 
LIBRARY HIGHLIGHTS
Genealogy 
Library of Things
 
Illinois Libraries Present
 
 
 
LIBRARY NEWS
Love Morrison Talbott Library? You might be a great fit as a Library Trustee!

Library trustees are champions for the library! They enthusiastically share our story in the community,
support our mission, guide our long-term vision, and ensure we’re being good stewards of our
resources.
 
We’re looking for individuals who care deeply about the Library, reside within the city limits of Waterloo and are excited to give back to the community in a consistent way. Trustees attend board meetings on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 pm, committee and special meetings as needed, and assist with various Library events. Once appointed by the City of Waterloo, trustees serve a 3-year term.

We’re hoping to connect with potential future trustees. Submitted Trustee applications are kept until a
vacancy occurs. Are you interested in learning more? Visit our website for a full Library Trustee job
description.
 
Click here to fill out the application.
 
 
Smokey the Library Cat

Remember me? I am Smokey the Library Cat, and I now live the life of a pampered indoor cat. I do not miss living in the barn in the library parking lot, and I’m very glad I’m not living outside in the snow, but I do miss all of the people that used to say hi to me. It turns out that I love cuddling, playing with toys, Tuna treats, and also reading. Here is a picture of me sitting on my human’s reading chair where she was just reading a book. Did you know that the library even made a new library card from a photo of me?! Here is a picture of that also. If any library kiddos would like to write to me, they can send letters to:

Smokey the Library Cat
c/o Morrison Talbott Library
215 Park Street
Waterloo, Illinois 62298
 
 
 
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