Drop-in Tech Help at Main

We can help with technology! Let Main Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills in these areas:  computers, tablets, e-readers, or smartphones setting up and usin......More

We can help with technology! Let Main Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills in these areas:  computers, tablets, e-readers, or smartphones setting up and using email or other similar accounts web searching word processing or related work using Microsoft or Google products finding books or other materials with the library catalog and online resources like Libby and Hoopla printing, photocopying, and scanning at the library No registration required, but time will be limited to 20–30-minute sessions. Patrons are helped in the order of arrival.  Depending on particular technical needs and goals, consider attending multiple Saturday sessions. If you need help right away, explore 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.

Read Across Tacoma with Vision253

Join us in the Olympic Room for Read Across Tacoma! This special event features free giveaway books by Black authors and interactive literacy experiences. Activities include sing-a-longs, storytelling, and stepping lessons from Vision Step Team to make reading fun and ......More

Join us in the Olympic Room for Read Across Tacoma! This special event features free giveaway books by Black authors and interactive literacy experiences. Activities include sing-a-longs, storytelling, and stepping lessons from Vision Step Team to make reading fun and culturally relevant. Through Read Across Tacoma, Vision235 aims to increase literacy access, inspire a love of reading, and create affirming educational experiences for marginalized youth. Read Across Tacoma is free and open to all youth. This program is presented by Vision253, funded by Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.

Audacity Deep Dive in the Digital Media Lab

Audacity is the gold standard in open-source audio production. Learn to record and edit your voice, add a music treatment, and export your file into a podcast-ready format. Explore the many signal processing tools available to spoken word artists in this easy-to-use so......More

Audacity is the gold standard in open-source audio production. Learn to record and edit your voice, add a music treatment, and export your file into a podcast-ready format. Explore the many signal processing tools available to spoken word artists in this easy-to-use software.

Studio and Storytime with Tacoma Art Museum

Join TPL and TAM for Studio + Storytime held at Tacoma Art Museum! Studio + Storytime begins with a reading of a storybook, exploring some art in TAM's galleries, and then a hands-on art project in TAM's studio classroom! Geared towards kids ages 2-8. Celebrate the ......More

Join TPL and TAM for Studio + Storytime held at Tacoma Art Museum! Studio + Storytime begins with a reading of a storybook, exploring some art in TAM's galleries, and then a hands-on art project in TAM's studio classroom! Geared towards kids ages 2-8. Celebrate the Lunar New Year and learn about the Chinese zodiac as we read Dragon Noodle Party. Please note: Classroom space is limited, if the space is full the activity and book of the month will be available at TAM Studio on the first floor. **REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED - REGISTER IF YOU'D LIKE TO RECEIVE A REMINDER EMAIL** Presented by Tacoma Art Museum, funded by the City of Tacoma/Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.

Adult Story Time

Join us in the Cascade Room as we tune in to historian Tom Holland on an episode of The Ancients podcast. Come along as he recounts the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece, an extraordinary tale filled with honor, adventure, peril, and a golden fleece! Hot tea & colo......More

Join us in the Cascade Room as we tune in to historian Tom Holland on an episode of The Ancients podcast. Come along as he recounts the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece, an extraordinary tale filled with honor, adventure, peril, and a golden fleece! Hot tea & coloring pages will be available to enjoy while you listen!

Family Storytime

Join us in the children's area for stories, songs, and other fun learning activities designed to develop language, literacy and social skills in an environment the whole family can enjoy. Storytime is followed by play time and an opportunity for grownups to connect and......More

Join us in the children's area for stories, songs, and other fun learning activities designed to develop language, literacy and social skills in an environment the whole family can enjoy. Storytime is followed by play time and an opportunity for grownups to connect and chat. Want to continue the fun at home? View these fun Storytime song and book recommendations here.

Somatic Storytelling for Healing and Resilience by Hilltop Urban Garden

Discover the power of stories—in your body. Meet with Hilltop Urban Garden for this unique event.  This interactive workshop blends storytelling with somatic (body-based) practices to help you move through stre......More

Discover the power of stories—in your body. Meet with Hilltop Urban Garden for this unique event.  This interactive workshop blends storytelling with somatic (body-based) practices to help you move through stress, release tension, and connect more deeply with your inner resilience. Through guided exercises and shared experiences, participants will explore how the mind and body work together to process trauma, restore balance, and build emotional strength. Perfect for seniors, adults, and students in grades 8–12—no prior experience needed. Come as you are and leave feeling more grounded, connected, and empowered! ✨ Free to attend—just bring your breath and an open mind. Presented by Hilltop Urban Garden, funded by the City of Tacoma/Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.

Brick by Brick LEGO Club

Join us in the Olympic Room for Brick by Brick LEGO Club! Free build to your heart's content! All ages welcome. No registration required. Please leave your personal LEGOs at home.

Between the Mountain and the Sea

Tacoma Public Schools, in partnership with Tacoma Public Library, is hosting the Secondary TPS Student Art Exhibit. Featuring student work from 13 schools, the show is on display in the Handforth Gallery at the Main Library from January 16th- March 27th. Please join......More

Tacoma Public Schools, in partnership with Tacoma Public Library, is hosting the Secondary TPS Student Art Exhibit. Featuring student work from 13 schools, the show is on display in the Handforth Gallery at the Main Library from January 16th- March 27th. Please join us for our Opening Night Celebration of the exhibit on Wednesday, January 28th! The event will be held as an open house from 4:00-7:00pm, with a short program from 5:30-6:00pm to recognize the artists! This event is supported in part by the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Arts Commission. In addition to viewing student art, we will have light refreshments, art activities, a collaborative community art piece and much more! We hope to see you on the 28th!

Black Inventors Scavenger Hunt

Join us at any branch during ......More

Join us at any branch during open hours between February 3rd-28th for a fun and educational Black History Month scavenger hunt! From everyday items to groundbreaking innovations, participants will learn how Black inventors have shaped the world we live in. Find all the images, turn the completed scavenger hunt in at the desk, and earn a prize!

Social Work Support with Samie

Drop-in to connect with Tacoma Public Library's Social Worker. Samie is happy to listen and assist patrons with resource navigation for a variety of needs related to housing, shelter, domestic violence, VA, employment, behavioral health, McKinney Vento or student supp......More

Drop-in to connect with Tacoma Public Library's Social Worker. Samie is happy to listen and assist patrons with resource navigation for a variety of needs related to housing, shelter, domestic violence, VA, employment, behavioral health, McKinney Vento or student support, and more!

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. Baby storytime is approximately 20 minutes long, followed by play time and an opportunity for grownups to connect and chat. 

Bloodworks Northwest

Donors needed! Tacoma Public Library and Bloodworks Northwest are hosting a 2026 blood drive. Donating blood helps patients with treatments, procedures and surgeries. Visit bloodworksnw.org/giveblood or......More

Donors needed! Tacoma Public Library and Bloodworks Northwest are hosting a 2026 blood drive. Donating blood helps patients with treatments, procedures and surgeries. Visit bloodworksnw.org/giveblood or scan the QR code to book your one-hour appointment. Photo ID and appointments required. No one under the age of 16 permitted on site. All donations go to patients in the PNW.

Up and Atom: Cardboard Construction

Join us in the Olympic room for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out a different STEAM activity each week. Cardboard is one of our most versatile and readily available construction materials, but we often don't think to use it for much more than building boxes. Thi......More

Join us in the Olympic room for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out a different STEAM activity each week. Cardboard is one of our most versatile and readily available construction materials, but we often don't think to use it for much more than building boxes. This week we're thinking outside of the box and challenging ourselves to create upcycled cardboard constructions. These constructions can be buildings, sculptures, or something else entirely. With some cardboard and a bit of creativity, the possibilities are endless.

All Branches Closed

All Tacoma Public Library branches will be closed on Saturday, Feb. 14 in observance of Presidents' Day.

Between the Mountain and the Sea

Tacoma Public Schools, in partnership with Tacoma Public Library, is hosting the Secondary TPS Student Art Exhibit. Featuring student work from 13 schools, the show is on display in the Handforth Gallery at the Main Library from January 16th- March 27th. Please join......More

Tacoma Public Schools, in partnership with Tacoma Public Library, is hosting the Secondary TPS Student Art Exhibit. Featuring student work from 13 schools, the show is on display in the Handforth Gallery at the Main Library from January 16th- March 27th. Please join us for our Opening Night Celebration of the exhibit on Wednesday, January 28th! The event will be held as an open house from 4:00-7:00pm, with a short program from 5:30-6:00pm to recognize the artists! This event is supported in part by the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Arts Commission. In addition to viewing student art, we will have light refreshments, art activities, a collaborative community art piece and much more! We hope to see you on the 28th!

Black Inventors Scavenger Hunt

Join us at any branch during ......More

Join us at any branch during open hours between February 3rd-28th for a fun and educational Black History Month scavenger hunt! From everyday items to groundbreaking innovations, participants will learn how Black inventors have shaped the world we live in. Find all the images, turn the completed scavenger hunt in at the desk, and earn a prize!

VITA Tax Help at the Main Library

Join us in the Olympic room for free, IRS-certified tax assistance through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program at the Tacoma Main Branch Library.  Services are available Tuesdays starting in February, from 12:30–5:30 PM. Trained volunteers can help with......More

Join us in the Olympic room for free, IRS-certified tax assistance through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program at the Tacoma Main Branch Library.  Services are available Tuesdays starting in February, from 12:30–5:30 PM. Trained volunteers can help with basic tax returns for qualifying individuals and families. No cost, no pressure, just trusted help filing your taxes. Help is provided on a first come basis.

Brotherhood Rise Center

The Brotherhood Rise Center serves as a safe and supportive space where individuals and families can access vital resources, mentoring, and programs designed to strengthen our community. We focus on outreach, connection, and empowerment to help people ri......More

The Brotherhood Rise Center serves as a safe and supportive space where individuals and families can access vital resources, mentoring, and programs designed to strengthen our community. We focus on outreach, connection, and empowerment to help people rise toward long-term stability and success.  Join us every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 1:00p - 3:00p for a tabling session.

Next Step: Job Support

Welcome to Next Step: Job Support! Join our group for help with the job search process. We meet twice a month to provide resources from the library and other agencies that help with building resumes  preparing for interviews  finding job leads and listings   and m......More

Welcome to Next Step: Job Support! Join our group for help with the job search process. We meet twice a month to provide resources from the library and other agencies that help with building resumes  preparing for interviews  finding job leads and listings   and more!  Sample resumes and cover letters as well as tip sheets will be available at each meeting.