How to Library--Find Your Next Read

Join us for How to Library, where you can learn all about your Tacoma Public Library card, how to use it, and all of the cool things it can do for you. This session will focus on how to find your next read. Whether you're stumped for ideas or just looking to expand the......More

Join us for How to Library, where you can learn all about your Tacoma Public Library card, how to use it, and all of the cool things it can do for you. This session will focus on how to find your next read. Whether you're stumped for ideas or just looking to expand the scope of your reading, we'll explore resources together and help you learn tips & tricks to help you find your next read!

Annie's Little Linguists

Come and practice your language skills!  Students from Annie Wright will lead youth ages 5 through 12 through an exploration of a language's basic vocabulary while doing fun and engaging activities such as crafts, sing-a-longs, and more.   From the pool of students,......More

Come and practice your language skills!  Students from Annie Wright will lead youth ages 5 through 12 through an exploration of a language's basic vocabulary while doing fun and engaging activities such as crafts, sing-a-longs, and more.   From the pool of students, there is expertise in Spanish, French, Mandarin, Ukrainian, Polish, Vietnamese, and Japanese. To learn more about this student led project, visit www.annieslittlelinguists.com

Learn to Play Mah Jongg

Join us for hand-on practice in a welcoming environment and connect with Other Mah Jongg enthusiasts. All levels are invited to participate in this interactive session to learn the fundamentals, strategies, and social aspects of the game. No prior experience r......More

Join us for hand-on practice in a welcoming environment and connect with Other Mah Jongg enthusiasts. All levels are invited to participate in this interactive session to learn the fundamentals, strategies, and social aspects of the game. No prior experience required—just bring your curiosity. Register for one date or all the dates. Choose what works best for you!

Musical Storytime with Tacoma Youth Symphony Association

Please join us for a musical storytime where the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association will share a story told with musical performances! Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration is required for this event. This program is prese......More

Please join us for a musical storytime where the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association will share a story told with musical performances! Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration is required for this event. This program is presented by the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association, funded by the City of Tacoma/Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.

Up and Atom: K'Nex Bridges

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. This week engineer bridges with K'nex! No registration required. Materials and curriculum generously provided by the WSU 4-H program of Pierce County.

Español/English Chat Group

Want to practice your Spanish? Join us at the Swasey branch to exchange English and Spanish. Any level of knowledge is welcome to participate in this language exchange. ¿Quieres practicar tu ingles? Acompaña a nuestro grupo de charla para intercambiar inglés y espa......More

Want to practice your Spanish? Join us at the Swasey branch to exchange English and Spanish. Any level of knowledge is welcome to participate in this language exchange. ¿Quieres practicar tu ingles? Acompaña a nuestro grupo de charla para intercambiar inglés y español en la Biblioteca Swasey. Cualquier nivel de conocimiento es bienvenido a participar en este intercambio de idiomas.

Baby Storytime

Fun for you and your baby with songs, rhymes, stories and movement. For babies and their caregivers. Recommended for ages birth – 18 months. Want to continue the fun at home? View these fun Storytime song and book recommendations ......More

Fun for you and your baby with songs, rhymes, stories and movement. For babies and their caregivers. Recommended for ages birth – 18 months. Want to continue the fun at home? View these fun Storytime song and book recommendations here.

Teen Time

Welcome all teens! Middle School and High School students are invited to join us at the Swasey branch Teen Time.  Meet new friends, relax, play games, work on homework, or make a craft.  We'll do something different each time! Activities will be provided for free a......More

Welcome all teens! Middle School and High School students are invited to join us at the Swasey branch Teen Time.  Meet new friends, relax, play games, work on homework, or make a craft.  We'll do something different each time! Activities will be provided for free and the fun you create will be priceless!

Tacoma Creates - Spaceworks

In this workshop, we’ll get close and personal with the mental barriers our perfectionism has built by making intentionally ugly art. We’ll explore perfectionism’s origins, how this affects our current life goals, and how making intentionally ugly art can help us b......More

In this workshop, we’ll get close and personal with the mental barriers our perfectionism has built by making intentionally ugly art. We’ll explore perfectionism’s origins, how this affects our current life goals, and how making intentionally ugly art can help us bridge the gap between the two by practicing joyful imperfection and teaching our bodies that it’s safe to move toward our goals through imperfection. The goal is for you to leave this workshop with a better understanding of your own creative fear and a new, fun tool to help you bring more joy, play, and freedom into your life. Presented by Spaceworks, funded by the City of Tacoma/Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public library.

Play to Learn

Play to Learn is a FREE program for children and adults to play TOGETHER! Play to Learn is for parents, grandparents, neighbors, family, and friends who nurture children ages six and under. Thematic curriculum invites individual play, fun group activities, songs, and a......More

Play to Learn is a FREE program for children and adults to play TOGETHER! Play to Learn is for parents, grandparents, neighbors, family, and friends who nurture children ages six and under. Thematic curriculum invites individual play, fun group activities, songs, and a whole group circle time for children and adults to enjoy together. Presented by Greentrike, funded by the City of Tacoma/Tacoma Creates, hosted by Tacoma Public Library.

Wisdom Café

Seniors - join us for conversation and camaraderie as we discuss universal topics about life, fulfillment, and aging at this monthly program. All are welcome!

Drop-in Tech Help at Swasey Branch

Swasey Branch staff will assist with learning basic computer skills like email, web searching and MS Office programs, navigating apps and using your iOS or Android devices, getting started on resumes and cover letters, and more. No registration required, but capacity ......More

Swasey Branch staff will assist with learning basic computer skills like email, web searching and MS Office programs, navigating apps and using your iOS or Android devices, getting started on resumes and cover letters, and more. No registration required, but capacity is limited. Ask for assistance at the Information Desk. People will be assisted in the order they arrive. Please note: It is easiest to assist people with more specific tasks, technical issues, or focused subjects for study (for example, "Learning how to print photos off my phone?"). That said, staff will work to help learners with more general issues (for example, "Learning about computers?"). If you need help right now, be sure to check out Tacoma Public Library's always available online computer learning and assistance resources as well as the free DigitalLearn online courses available from the Public Library Association.

Lunar New Year Dumpling Folding Workshop

Join us at the Swasey Branch for a hands-on Lunar New Year dumpling‑making workshop We’ll start with a demonstration of the vegetarian filling, then guide you through folding several classic dumpling shapes. Finally, take your beautifully crafted dumplings home to sav......More

Join us at the Swasey Branch for a hands-on Lunar New Year dumpling‑making workshop We’ll start with a demonstration of the vegetarian filling, then guide you through folding several classic dumpling shapes. Finally, take your beautifully crafted dumplings home to savor. Space is limited.

Up and Atom: Art Workshop with Tacoma Art Museum

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. Come and join the Tacoma Art Museum in a fun hands-on workshop where kids will learn about an artist, their work and will explore their creative side by making their own artwork......More

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. Come and join the Tacoma Art Museum in a fun hands-on workshop where kids will learn about an artist, their work and will explore their creative side by making their own artwork! All materials are provided. This workshop is geared towards kids ages 5-12, but all are welcome! Presented by Tacoma Art Museum, funded by Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.