Woman browsing DVDs and smiling at the camera

Main Library

35 Albert Street
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 5E2
519-886-1310

Hours
Monday to Thursday
9:30am to 9:00pm
Friday & Saturday
9:30am to 5:30pm
Sunday
1:00pm to 4:00pm (until May 5, 2024)
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Free WiFi
  • Paid Parking
Get Directions

Make Memories at the Main Library

The Main Library is the central hub of Waterloo Public Library. Located in the heart of Uptown Waterloo, the two-storey building features a separate children’s area, ample study space and WPL’s largest collection of browsable materials.

Young business people using tablet discussing the future structure of their organization at meeting.

Rentable Spaces

There are two rentable spaces at the Main Library.

A teenager uses a study carrel at the Main Library to read

Study Spaces and Study Carrels

There are a variety of comfortable and quiet study spaces equipped with ample seating, tables and access to power outlets.

Inside the Ellis Little Local History Room

Ellis Little Local History Room

Browse maps, city directories, books, magazines and more.

Two young boys play with magnet stacking toys in the Children's Department at the Main Library.

Children's Area

Enjoy a children's area with toys and activities to create a fun and educational space for young library visitors.

The book sale shelves at the Main Library full of books and magazines for purchase

Book Sale

Purchase used books and magazines. Proceeds of the book sale go toward library programs and services.

A senior using a public computer at the Main Library

Public Computers

Our public computers provide free access to the internet to support research, learning, gaming and more.

Loading a VHS tape into a VHS player

VHS Converter

Digitize your old VHS tapes with our VHS converter.
Close up of a table top photo scanner

Photo Scanner

Effortlessly digitize your documents and photos.
A woman uses the microfilm machine at the Main Library

Microfilm Reader

Browse, print, and save digital copies from our microfilm collection.

Close up of a light therapy lamp

Light Therapy Lamp

Boost your mood while you read or study in the library with a high-quality light therapy lamp.

Unique Items at the Main Library

In addition to a wide variety of books in English for readers of all ages, you can browse and borrow these unique collections at the Main Library. Please note that many of these items can be placed on hold to be picked up at a different location.

Daisy Books & Readers
Bike Locks

Cannot be placed on hold

DVDs for All Ages
CDs for All Ages
Books for Children in Other Languages

Chinese, French, Amharic, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, Ukrainian & Urdu

Books for Adults in Other Languages

Chinese & French

Graphic Novels for All Ages
Public art at the Main Library entitled Looking Outward & Inward

Looking Outward & Inward

Susan Low-Beer (1995) | Main Library Public Art

Intentionally open-ended, this sculpture doesn’t offer a conclusive narrative. It delves into the intricate dynamics between men and women, probing the aspects of both masculinity and femininity within each observer. Purposefully ambiguous, it mirrors a psychological complexity, encouraging viewers to interpret and construct their own narrative when engaging with the artwork.

Main Library FAQ

  • Where can I park? Is parking free?

    There is limited free street parking available on Albert Street just across from the library. 

    There are also two parking lots located at the Main Library: the Dupont Street Lot and the Albert Street Lot. These parking lots are controlled by the City of Waterloo and are pay-by-the hour via a Pay & Display machine. Paid parking is in effect Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. The cost is $3.25 per hour. 

    Free parking is available in the Dupont Street Lot and Albert Street Lot, Monday to Friday after 5:00pm and all day on weekends. 

    Accessible parking is available free of charge at all times in both parking lots. Designated accessible parking spaces are located adjacent to each library’s entrance. Vehicles parking in these spaces must display a disabled person parking permit/shield as required by law. 

    IMPORTANT: Do not park in the “D” permit areas Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. These are for permit holders only. All others will be ticketed. 

    To report a parking issue, use the help button located on each machine or contact the City of Waterloo by calling 519-747-8785 or submitting a complaint online. 

    Questions about parking tickets? Contact By-Law at the City of Waterloo. 

  • How can I pay for parking?

    Paid parking is in effect in the Dupont Street Lot and Albert Street Lot from Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. The cost is $3.25 per hour.

    The Pay & Display machines in the parking lots accept cash (coins), debit and credit cards. 

  • How do I get to the library by bus or ION?

    The following routes stop near the Main Library: 

    • Route 7 King 
    • Route 5 Erb 
    • Route 16 Strasburg-Belmont 
    • Route 301 ION Light Rail Transit (Waterloo Public Square & Willis Way stops)

    Both the Waterloo Public Square and the Willis Way stations are a short walk (under 10 minutes) to the Main Library. Please cross at the traffic lights for your own safety. Learn more about the ION including the schedule and fares, on the Grand River Transit website. 

  • Where can I return my books?

    During open hours, there are interior returns slots at Borrower Services (on the lower level) and at the Reception Desk (on the upper level). After hours, there is an exterior returns slot accessible via the Dupont Street Parking Lot.  

    You can return Waterloo Public Library books to ANY Waterloo Public Library location.

  • Do you offer fax services?

    No, we do not offer fax services. The nearest fax services are located at: The UPS Store (133 Weber St. N, Waterloo) 

    We do offer free scanning to email and paid printing services. Please visit our Wifi, Printing & Photocopying page for more details. 

  • Do you have a public pay phone?

    Yes, we have a public pay phone located in the Albert Street entryway.

  • Is there somewhere I can charge my phone?

    Yes! There are two charging stations on the upper level of the building equipped with USB C, Micro B and Lightning (Apple) charging cables. 

Need a library card?

Getting a library card is your passport to a world of learning and discovery. With just a simple online application process, you can access a treasure trove of books, digital resources, exciting services, and cool things to borrow.

Get a Card