City of Waverly | Thursday, 16 July 2026
Through Emily McClimon’s eyes, the library is where Waverly comes together – connecting neighbors, sparking curiosity, and creating opportunities for all.
One of my favorite parts of the day is seeing the surprised and delighted looks on patrons’ faces when they discover a new feature of the library. We are so much more than a place to grab the latest bestseller – we are a dynamic, vibrant community hub.
Whether you are a lifelong Waverly resident, a Wartburg student, or a new family just putting down roots in the community, the library is here for you. To prove it, here is a librarian’s guide to five of my favorite ways to play using things from the library!
1. The Butterfly Garden
Let’s start by stepping outside! Did you know the library has a beautiful outdoor space right in our own backyard? Our landscaped butterfly gardens are a gorgeous spot.
If you are looking to get some fresh air, taking a stroll along the paths is a must. The paths feature sculptures by local artists that follow the life cycle of butterflies and moths. Keep an eye out for our Garden Walk, which is the perfect way for families to enjoy a bit of reading while exploring nature (in June, we even had yoga poses posted along the walk for you to try!). The stories get changed out seasonally. While you are out there, be sure to stop by the small pond water feature. Listening to the running water and watching the fish is a simple, peaceful joy that we love sharing with the community. Don’t forget to bring a quarter to get some fish food from the dispenser and feed the fish!
2. The Teen Room
We know that teenagers need a space of their own, which is why we’ve created a dedicated Teen Room!
With its café-style seating, it’s a welcoming, safe, and engaging environment designed exclusively for our community’s youth. It’s a great place to study after school, socialize, game together, or just relax. Our staff plans innovative and popular programming specifically for this age group throughout the year. For example, during our Summer Reading Challenge, we host “The Slow Down,” a tech-free hour with lo-fi beats designed for maximum chill, and another day we might put on a “Smash Bros Tournament,” where teens battle and showcase their skills on the gaming consoles to create awesome camaraderie. Plus, you can check out video games to take home too!
3. The “Library of Things”
This might be the service that surprises people the most! Your library card is a passport to so much more than just literature.
Through our “Library of Things,” you can check out a variety of unconventional items to help you play and explore in Waverly. Want to try a new hobby? We have bird watching kits with guides and binoculars, a Dutch oven to try your hand at cooking over the fire, a telescope to explore the night sky, inflatable stand up paddle boards and kayaks to get out on the water, and more! We even have snowshoes you can check out during the winter months. Planning a game night? We have 100+ board games for all ages, including Magna-Tiles for the little ones. Library staff are happy to give recommendations and help demo a game too! It’s all about providing our community with access to fun.
4. Free Meeting Rooms
Need a place to meet or host a party? We’ve got you covered!
The Waverly Public Library is proud to be a community gathering place, and we offer multiple meeting rooms that can be reserved completely free of charge. Whether you are a remote worker needing a change of scenery, a local club looking for a home base, a small business having a meetup, or a Wartburg student looking for a quiet place to study with a group, our meeting rooms are a practical and supportive resource right in your neighborhood. More people should know you can use our spaces for birthday parties, family gatherings, baby and bridal showers, retirement celebrations, graduation parties, and other social events.
5. Stream Movies for Free with Kanopy
Before you pay for another monthly streaming subscription, let me let you in on a little secret: you can stream thousands of movies for free with your library card!
Through Kanopy, our patrons get access to an incredible collection of films, ranging from award-winning documentaries and indie cinema to film festival favorites and classic movies. Want to learn something new? In addition to entertainment, there are instructional videos for topics like cooking, watercolors, business and professional skills, writing exercises, and so much more. A while ago I went down a rabbit hole of wine tasting instructional videos, called “The Instant Sommelier.” I’m much more knowledgeable in the store making selections now! There is even a fantastic “Kanopy Kids” section packed with educational and entertaining shows. It is the ultimate tool for a cozy movie night at home.
Beyond the Physical Items: Our Community Programming
While these five services are some of the staff’s favorites to share, they are just the tip of the iceberg. Many of you already know the library best for the incredible lineup of events and programming that keeps our building buzzing with life all year long! From our vibrant children’s story hours offered 4x/week during the school year and engaging teen challenges to our adult book clubs, crafting nights, and educational workshops, there is always something happening here to bring people together.
The Waverly Public Library is constantly evolving to serve our community in new and exciting ways. If you haven’t been in recently, consider this your official invitation! Stop by the library this week, check out our upcoming events calendar, come to the front desk, and say hello. If you don’t have a library card yet, we’d love to help you get one so you can start exploring all these services for yourself and get you playing in Waverly!
See you at the library!
Emily McClimon, MLIS
Youth Services Librarian, Waverly Public Library