Waterloo Public Library (West Branch)

Waterloo Public Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	528 W. 4th St. Waterloo, Iowa
Coordinates	42°29′32.3″N 92°20′36.8″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1905
Architect	J.G. Ralston
Architectural style	Classical Revival
MPS	Public Library Buildings in Iowa TR
NRHP reference No.	83000342
Added to NRHP	May 23, 1983

The Waterloo Public Library is a historic building located in Waterloo, Iowa, United States. The public library was established there in 1896. 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. 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. 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. 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. It now houses law offices.