City of Waterloo Council Work Session - Monday, October 5, 2026

The City of Waterloo Council held a work session on October 5, 2026. The Waterloo Public Library director presented the library’s FY26 annual report, including increased electronic borrowing (up 5%), a 2% decline in physical borrowing, more than 600 public programs, and estimated public savings of over $11.2 million. The director also shared results from a market research survey: 81% of respondents prioritized staffing and materials, 83% supported city funding for the library, and Saturday was the most preferred day to visit. The library board had authorized the survey using gift funds, not public money.

Council members discussed library use, programming, and the library’s role as a community space. Members praised the library and its leadership, and one joked about asking council for projector funding; no formal spending request, procurement decision, contract award, or related vote was made. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn. No procurement activity was identified.