Handforth Gallery Exhibit

Experience a rotating exhibition of local creativity on view from October through December at the Handforth Gallery. Launched during the Kaleidoscope opening celebration on Saturday, October 4, this exhibition features four unique showcases: Vaquero Azul – An Otomí, M......More

Experience a rotating exhibition of local creativity on view from October through December at the Handforth Gallery. Launched during the Kaleidoscope opening celebration on Saturday, October 4, this exhibition features four unique showcases: Vaquero Azul – An Otomí, Maya, and Taíno Two-Spirit illustrator and sewist presenting a Trans Pride Ofrenda, a space for reflection and community honor centered on Trans Euforia and Indigenous joy. Gillian Nordlund – A series of hand-sewn banners using a human-figure alphabet to inspire collective action and hope, reminiscent of community spaces filled with purpose and encouragement. Tacoma Photo Center – A community photo showcase from the nonprofit arts organization dedicated to expanding access to photography and creative learning. Open Sesame Gallery – A group exhibition entitled Sketchbook Standout features 33 local Tacoma-area artists, each contributing original 9″×12″ works spanning comics, illustration, and fine art, inspired by the Moleskine Project. Free and open to the public during library hours.

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.

Wonder Lab Basics: Serger Machine

Watch a presentation of how the serger machine operates and is threaded. 1 serger device is available for patrons to practice their threading and serging skills in rotation. Ages 17 and younger are welcome with caregiver participation.

Snap Circuits in the Wonder Lab

Snap into STEM with Snap Circuits. Join us in the Wonder Lab for a real-world activity involving an array of circuitry. Working on a specific objective, we’ll simulate a challenge that engineers encounter designing typical electrical systems. This program is sure to te......More

Snap into STEM with Snap Circuits. Join us in the Wonder Lab for a real-world activity involving an array of circuitry. Working on a specific objective, we’ll simulate a challenge that engineers encounter designing typical electrical systems. This program is sure to test your troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Kids in grades 6-8 are welcome with caregiver participation. Registration required.

Teen Time

Check out the new and improved teen area at Main! This is a space reserved for teen patrons. In this area you'll find a Nintendo switch gaming station, computers, board games, craft supplies and more. Come to create, study, play or just hang out with friends. Every We......More

Check out the new and improved teen area at Main! This is a space reserved for teen patrons. In this area you'll find a Nintendo switch gaming station, computers, board games, craft supplies and more. Come to create, study, play or just hang out with friends. Every Wednesday night from 5:00-7:00 teens can also enjoy a free treat from our snack cart in the teen area!

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. 

Appy Hour at Main

Do you use a tablet, smartphone or laptop? Maybe you’re a new user looking for ways to get started on your mobile journey with Tacoma Library. Join us in the Cascade Room to discuss, share, and learn about the variety of online resources TPL has to offer. No registrat......More

Do you use a tablet, smartphone or laptop? Maybe you’re a new user looking for ways to get started on your mobile journey with Tacoma Library. Join us in the Cascade Room to discuss, share, and learn about the variety of online resources TPL has to offer. No registration required.

Up and Atom: Pom Pom Palooza

Join us in the Olympic room for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out a different STEAM activity each week. Did you know that there are so many things you can do with a homemade pom pom? This week we'll be bringing out our yarn collection, our pom pom makers, and a ......More

Join us in the Olympic room for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out a different STEAM activity each week. Did you know that there are so many things you can do with a homemade pom pom? This week we'll be bringing out our yarn collection, our pom pom makers, and a little bit of everything from our craft closet so you can make pom pom critters, keychains, garlands, or just about anything else you can imagine.

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.

Wonder Lab Exploration: Building

Let’s explore the Maker Lab! Learn about some of the building tools available in the Maker Labs. In this rotation, you’ll have the chance to interact with Strawbees and Keva Planks.

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.

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.

Handforth Gallery Exhibit

Experience a rotating exhibition of local creativity on view from October through December at the Handforth Gallery. Launched during the Kaleidoscope opening celebration on Saturday, October 4, this exhibition features four unique showcases: Vaquero Azul – An Otomí, M......More

Experience a rotating exhibition of local creativity on view from October through December at the Handforth Gallery. Launched during the Kaleidoscope opening celebration on Saturday, October 4, this exhibition features four unique showcases: Vaquero Azul – An Otomí, Maya, and Taíno Two-Spirit illustrator and sewist presenting a Trans Pride Ofrenda, a space for reflection and community honor centered on Trans Euforia and Indigenous joy. Gillian Nordlund – A series of hand-sewn banners using a human-figure alphabet to inspire collective action and hope, reminiscent of community spaces filled with purpose and encouragement. Tacoma Photo Center – A community photo showcase from the nonprofit arts organization dedicated to expanding access to photography and creative learning. Open Sesame Gallery – A group exhibition entitled Sketchbook Standout features 33 local Tacoma-area artists, each contributing original 9″×12″ works spanning comics, illustration, and fine art, inspired by the Moleskine Project. Free and open to the public during library hours.

Housing Justice Project

Landlord-Tenant Clinic for City of Tacoma Residents  Do you have a landlord-tenant issue? Questions about Tacoma's new Landlord Fairness Initiative, facing eviction, habitability issues, repair issues, received a notice, other disputes?  Bring your housing issues to ......More

Landlord-Tenant Clinic for City of Tacoma Residents  Do you have a landlord-tenant issue? Questions about Tacoma's new Landlord Fairness Initiative, facing eviction, habitability issues, repair issues, received a notice, other disputes?  Bring your housing issues to the Housing Justic Project at this walk-in clinic! Screening and intake required to receive advice.  Presented by Tacomaprobono's Housing Justice Project and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.