Learn to Play Mah Jongg

Join long-time educator and experienced Mah Jongg player, Mattie, to participate in hands-on practice of traditional Mah Jongg. Players of all levels, including those with no experience, are invited to attend and learn the fundamentals, strategies, and social aspects ......More

Join long-time educator and experienced Mah Jongg player, Mattie, to participate in hands-on practice of traditional Mah Jongg. Players of all levels, including those with no experience, are invited to attend and learn the fundamentals, strategies, and social aspects of the game.   Registration is limited due to the number of tables and tile sets available.  Note: **If registration is full, please feel free to come and observe or sit in if there are no shows.  

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!

Crafting with Remakery--Sewing Hexies

Join us as we welcome Remakery Tacoma for this instructor-led session where we will be sewing hexies (fabric scraps hand sewn into hexagon shapes) using the English paper piercing technique. English paper piecing is an old technique used to create fun, hand sewn fabric......More

Join us as we welcome Remakery Tacoma for this instructor-led session where we will be sewing hexies (fabric scraps hand sewn into hexagon shapes) using the English paper piercing technique. English paper piecing is an old technique used to create fun, hand sewn fabrics. We will be learning how to hand baste hexagons and then combine them together into a flower shape. Shapes can be combined into quilts or added as applique on garments or accessories.  This project is good for anyone who can use a sewing needle. Anyone under 14 is recommended to attend with an adult for assistance. All materials and supplies are provided at this free event. Materials are 100% post-consumer, meaning we use only reclaimed, recycled, or donated things. This is a drop-in event. No registration is required. Supplies and table space are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Up and Atom: March Madness Basketball Trophy Building Competition

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. Get ready to combine sports, science, and creativity in this exciting March Madness STEAM challenge! Kids will become engineers as they design and build newspaper towers strong e......More

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. Get ready to combine sports, science, and creativity in this exciting March Madness STEAM challenge! Kids will become engineers as they design and build newspaper towers strong enough to support the weight of a basketball.

Swasey Book Club

Join us for the Swasey Book Club! March's selection is James by Percival Everett. About the book: From Percival Everett--a recipient of the NBCC Lifetime Achievement Award and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Booker Prize, and numerous PEN awards--comes James, a rete......More

Join us for the Swasey Book Club! March's selection is James by Percival Everett. About the book: From Percival Everett--a recipient of the NBCC Lifetime Achievement Award and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Booker Prize, and numerous PEN awards--comes James, a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view. Stop into the Swasey branch to secure your book club copy and then join us for the discussion on March 17. We hope you'll join us! The Swasey Book Club selection checks out on a first-come, first-served basis. Supply is limited. Ask library staff for assistance. Call us at (253)280-2970 if you have any questions.

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.

Understanding Legal Documents for Decision-Making

Join Matt Santelli, Outreach Specialist at Pierce County Aging Disability Resources, for this energetic presentation! Matt will take you through the process of understanding and preparing legal documents for decision-making. Come and learn about the different types of......More

Join Matt Santelli, Outreach Specialist at Pierce County Aging Disability Resources, for this energetic presentation! Matt will take you through the process of understanding and preparing legal documents for decision-making. Come and learn about the different types of legal documents for decision-making, including Financial and Health Care Powers-Of-Attorney, Advance Directives, and POLST (Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) forms. Bring your questions and Matt will provide the answers!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Creative Expressions: Open Crafting for Adults

Unleash your creativity in a welcoming, relaxed environment! Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just exploring a new hobby, this open crafting program is designed for adults looking to create, connect, and unwind. Bring your own project or experiment with provided su......More

Unleash your creativity in a welcoming, relaxed environment! Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just exploring a new hobby, this open crafting program is designed for adults looking to create, connect, and unwind. Bring your own project or experiment with provided supplies while enjoying casual conversation and inspiration from fellow craft enthusiasts. No registration required—just drop in and start crafting! From painting and paper crafts to knitting and beyond, there’s something for everyone. Come as you are, leave with something handmade and a newfound sense of artistic joy. Basic crafting supplies will be provided.

Brick by Brick LEGO Club

Join us on the first and third Friday of month for Brick by Brick LEGO Club! Build a LEGO creation around the theme, or free build to your heart's content! All ages welcome. No registration required. Please leave your personal LEGOs at home.