There has been library service in Waterford, Wisconsin since the 1920′s. Over the years, the library moved its location three times and offered a rotating collection of books provided by the Racine Public Library. In 1965 the village appointed a library board and in 1967 the library set up shop in half of the Waterford Village Hall. The library provided service from that location for 34 years, at which time it became necessary to move to improve the level of service to residents. The Waterford Public Library opened for business in its spacious new location at 101 N. River Street on March 12, 2001.
Library cards are available free of charge to any area resident with current identification and proof of address. Parents must be present to register their minor children under 18 years of age. The Waterford Library is a member of the Prairie Lakes Library System and the SHARE Consortium, so our library card will work at all the public libraries in Racine, Rock, Kenosha and Walworth Counties. The SHARE libraries offer a wide variety of materials in many formats: adult and juvenile books, large print books, books on CD and MP3 players, music CDs, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, games, musical instruments, learning kits and more. What isn’t on the shelf at Waterford Library can be easily obtained through our daily delivery system with the other SHARE libraries or through interlibrary loan.
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Equipment available for loan on a scheduled basis includes a screen, a portable public address system and an overhead projector. A photocopier, typewriter, microfilm reader, multimedia projector and 7 Internet stations are available for use onsite. A large meeting room, conference room and two study rooms are available for groups to use during library open hours. Reservations are required for use of these private rooms.
Escorted tours of the collection and facility can be arranged with staff upon request. Homebound delivery is available to any Village of Waterford resident who is unable to visit the library because of a temporary or permanent physical disability.
The Adult Book Club meets the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30. Adult Programs and Family Movies are offered periodically.
Preschool Story Times for three, four and five-year-olds are scheduled regularly each month. Summer Reading Program is designed to encourage enthusiasm for books and development of children’s reading skills. Activities include reading incentives, story times, Prairie Lakes Library System Story Wagon, theme related programs, crafts and a grand finale. The program is geared to children of all ages.
The Teen Advisory Board meets monthly and offers volunteer teens a chance to suggest programs and materials for the library.
The Friends of the Waterford Public Library are a group of volunteers who support the development of library services in our community through various projects, activities and with the proceeds from the sale of items in their gift shop. Membership forms are available in the shop located at the entrance to the library. Join the Friends!