Et cetera : LPC Public Library December Newsletter

Thank You! We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteers who helped Library Staff and the outstanding team at LPC Public Works move shelves and books and complete several cleaning projects. Thanks to you, the renovation remains on schedule. We also offer a special thank-you to the Board and Staff of the FFA Historical & Ag Museum, who generously provided space for our team to continue working while major projects were underway in the building. As two of LPC’s cultural heritage institutions, we value and look forward to growing our partnership. A huge thank-you as well to the Waterloo Public Library for lending us their hydraulic book-stack movers—saving our backs and saving us from moving each individual book by hand. We are grateful for the strong partnerships we share with fellow public libraries in Black Hawk County and across Iowa, who work tirelessly to support their communities and one another.

Staff Return to the Building

As of November 24, Library Staff are back in the building. While we remain closed to the public, you may still access services during our regular hours, Monday–Friday. When you arrive, simply call the Library from your vehicle and a staff member will come out to assist you. You may also ring the doorbell at the outer door, where Staff will greet you. Because construction is still underway, we ask that all visitors remain outside while we conduct business inside. Available services include: ● Requesting and picking up materials ● Printing, copying, faxing, scanning, and laminating ● Services by appointment, such as notary public, technology assistance, and research support ● Remote access to Wi-Fi and digital resources, including eMaterials via Libby Library Staff continue to host select programs at the FFA Historical & Ag Museum, including a special visit from Santa on Saturday, December 6. Be sure to be at the Museum at 11:00 AM to welcome Santa, who will arrive in the big red fire truck. Join us from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for crafts, activities, and films in the Museum basement.

Volunteers Needed

As Staff work through many tasks related to the collection and building, we would appreciate help with projects such as cleaning and applying stickers to books. We have more than 50,000 stickers to apply to over 15,000 books, including new barcodes and genre labels to improve browsability when we reopen. If you’re looking for a reason to get out of the house during these cold months, consider stopping by the Library. Beginning December 4, you can call ahead to schedule a time, or simply drop in on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We have plenty of seated tasks—perfect for enjoying a warm drink and friendly conversation while helping us sticker books. For details, call 319-342-3025 to speak with Library Staff.

Renovation Fundraiser

As we begin the second phase of the renovation, we’ve created an Amazon Wish List of items that will directly benefit the project, including digital devices for The Forge, small furniture pieces for the Anna Hawkins Youth Area, and other room-specific needs. Items purchased through Amazon will ship directly to the Library. You may include a note with your donation and choose whether to share your name or remain anonymous. To view or purchase items, scan the QR code on this page or visit our Amazon Wish List at https://a.co/emy4T5h. If you have questions or need assistance, call 319-342-3025.

Grand Reopening

We are excited to celebrate the completion of the renovation with a grand reopening ceremony and reception on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 12:00–4:00 PM. Join us for a ribbon-cutting, building tours, and refreshments. Additional details will be available on our website and social media in late-January. Stay tuned every Friday at 7:00 PM on Facebook and Instagram for updates and progress photos. As always, if you have questions or need help accessing services, please call 319-342-3025 or email info@lpcpubliclibrary.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

This Month’s Programs:

Saturday, December 6 @ 9 AM | Home for the Holidays: Santa’s Visit @ the Museum Monday, December 15 @ 6 PM | Library Board Meeting @ the Museum Tuesday, December 16 @ 6 PM | Color, Craft, & Connect @ the Museum Tuesday, December 23 @ 6 PM | Novel Notions Book Club @ the Museum