All Branches Closed

All Tacoma Public Library branches will be closed on Saturday, May 28th in observation of Memorial Day.

Program Kit: Craftopia Seed Bombs

Craftopia is partnering with Tacoma Public Library to provide fun and free crafts for kids!  Pick up a kit to make a Seed Bomb. Craftopia recommends this craft for all ages. Visit any Tacoma Library branch starting Tuesday, M......More

Craftopia is partnering with Tacoma Public Library to provide fun and free crafts for kids!  Pick up a kit to make a Seed Bomb. Craftopia recommends this craft for all ages. Visit any Tacoma Library branch starting Tuesday, May 31 to pick up a kit while supplies last. Program kits are a fun way to bring our arts and crafts activities home with you. There is no live program element to program kits —take one home and let it spark your creativity!

Books on Tap

Books on Tap is back in person! In May we'll be back in person (after a long break) to discuss the New York Times Bestseller On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. With stunning ......More

Books on Tap is back in person! In May we'll be back in person (after a long break) to discuss the New York Times Bestseller On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. With stunning urgency and grace, Ocean Vuong writes of people caught between disparate worlds, and asks how we heal and rescue one another without forsaking who we are. The question of how to survive, and how to make of it a kind of joy, powers the most important debut novel of many years. You can use your library card to check out a copy of the eBook or eAudiobook on Hoopla. Physical copies are also available for hold and you can pick up a bookclub kit copy at the Wheelock Branch. Visit Books on Tap online or on the MeetUp app for the location and to RSVP. Hope you can join us! On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

Juneteenth Storywalk: Opal Lee and What It Means to be Free

Celebrate our newest federal holiday Juneteenth with a storywalk for all ages!  Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S. and commemorates African-American freedom, is observed on June 19. The......More

Celebrate our newest federal holiday Juneteenth with a storywalk for all ages!  Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S. and commemorates African-American freedom, is observed on June 19. The picture book Opal Lee and What It Means to be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncan will be on display from June 1 to June 17 at the Fern Hill, Kobetich, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock branches. No registration required. Stop by a participating branch during regular open hours. Social distancing is required and masks are strongly encouraged. 

Nimble Thimbles

The Nimble Thimbles are back at Wheelock! Bring what you are working on and join this friendly bunch of quilters for companionship and conversation. This lively group meets every Wednesday. All are welcome!

Sea Creature Creation Station

Join us all summer long at the sea creature creation stations at any of our Tacoma Library branches! Create your own brand new species of fish, add some eyes, maybe some teeth, and let us know when your new creation is complete. We'd love to add your creation to our oc......More

Join us all summer long at the sea creature creation stations at any of our Tacoma Library branches! Create your own brand new species of fish, add some eyes, maybe some teeth, and let us know when your new creation is complete. We'd love to add your creation to our ocean of possibility display!

Exploring Music and Instruments from Around the World

Kids will have the opportunity to play different musical instruments from around the world and learn basic techniques. We will use those instruments to play music together and practice listening to each other and creating music as a group. Musical styles include Africa......More

Kids will have the opportunity to play different musical instruments from around the world and learn basic techniques. We will use those instruments to play music together and practice listening to each other and creating music as a group. Musical styles include African drumming, blues and rock, Middle Eastern music and others.

Program Kit: Egg Carton Goldfish

Create your own fish friend using egg cartons and other craft supplies! Visit Main Branch and the Eastside Community Center starting Tuesday, June 7th to pick up a kit, while supplies last. Program kits are a fun way to bring our arts and crafts activities home with ......More

Create your own fish friend using egg cartons and other craft supplies! Visit Main Branch and the Eastside Community Center starting Tuesday, June 7th to pick up a kit, while supplies last. Program kits are a fun way to bring our arts and crafts activities home with you. There is no live program element to program kits-take one home today and let it spark your creativity!

Oceanfest Photography Exhibit and Story Trail

This exhibit featuring remarkable pieces from Tacoma's own Oceanfest will be on display at all branches from June 1 through August 13. Each library's photography exhibit will feature QR codes linking to an audio......More

This exhibit featuring remarkable pieces from Tacoma's own Oceanfest will be on display at all branches from June 1 through August 13. Each library's photography exhibit will feature QR codes linking to an audio Story Trail. Pieces will vary and include work by Annie Crawley, Mike Coots, and David Doubilet. Annie Crawley is a Seattle diver, underwater photographer and filmmaker. She travels the world, taking incredible shots for science expeditions, conservation and her own campaign "Our Ocean and You." Learn more about Annie's upcoming in-person library presentation! Mike Coots is a world-renowned advocate for sharks, ocean conservationist, competitive surfer (using a prosthetic limb as a result of an amputation from a life-threatening shark encounter when a teen) and an undersea photographer documents sharks in their world and his own experiences in these remarkable photos David Doubilet As a National Geographic Photographer he has spent five decades exploring and documenting the far corners of the world from beneath interior Africa, remote tropical coral reefs, rich temperate seas and recent projects beneath the polar ice. A contributing editor for several publications and an author of 12 titles including the award winning Water Light Time. His numerous photographic awards include Picture of the Year, BBC Wildlife, Communication Arts and World Press. David is a member of the Academy of Achievement, Royal Photographic Society, International League of Conservation Photographers and International Diving Hall of Fame. David was named a National Geographic Contributing Photographer-in-Residence in 2001.

Sea Creature Creation Station

Join us all summer long at the sea creature creation stations at any of our Tacoma Library branches! Create your own brand new species of fish, add some eyes, maybe some teeth, and let us know when your new creation is complete. We'd love to add your creation to our oc......More

Join us all summer long at the sea creature creation stations at any of our Tacoma Library branches! Create your own brand new species of fish, add some eyes, maybe some teeth, and let us know when your new creation is complete. We'd love to add your creation to our ocean of possibility display!

Summer Art Workshops with Tacoma Art Museum

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! Registration is required as space is limited. All materials are provided. This workshop is geared t......More

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! Registration is required as space is limited. All materials are provided. This workshop is geared towards kids ages 5-12 but all are welcome! This program is in person. Social distancing is required. Face masks are required in meeting rooms and strongly encouraged inside the library

Be Your Own Record Label

Learn how to record, produce and distribute original music to a variety of audiences. Presented on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month by the Digital Media Lab in a Zoom meeting, this forum is dedicated to independent artists: musicians, vocalists and performers who ......More

Learn how to record, produce and distribute original music to a variety of audiences. Presented on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month by the Digital Media Lab in a Zoom meeting, this forum is dedicated to independent artists: musicians, vocalists and performers who are ready to make their voice known in the music & entertainment industry. Be Your Own Record Label covers the basics of setting up and acoustically treating a home studio space. It addresses the technical side of studio recording: including tried-and-true production techniques to add punch and sparkle to your mixes. We discuss the many aspects of networking online and presenting your music to other artists, producers and engineers. We challenge each other to stretch our skill sets and redefine our market constantly. Emphasis is placed on low-cost, free and open-source software options, and how to procure the equipment and software you'll need to take your music to the next level. Each session there will be a different topic of discussion posed by Digital Media Instructor John Hargis along with occasional guest appearances from professionals in the music and recording industry. Following a lively conversation about tried-and-true practices for independent labels will come an opportunity for artists to share their latest musical creations with the class. Your one-time registration applies to each event in this series, which spans from Tuesday, June 7th until Tuesday, December 20th, 2022. Students can register/join us at any time midway through the series. * A meeting link will be sent with instructions for joining the event 1 hour prior to the event.

Nimble Thimbles

The Nimble Thimbles are back at Wheelock! Bring what you are working on and join this friendly bunch of quilters for companionship and conversation. This lively group meets every Wednesday. All are welcome!

Juneteenth Storywalk: Opal Lee and What It Means to be Free

Celebrate our newest federal holiday Juneteenth with a storywalk for all ages!  Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S. and commemorates African-American freedom, is observed on June 19. The......More

Celebrate our newest federal holiday Juneteenth with a storywalk for all ages!  Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S. and commemorates African-American freedom, is observed on June 19. The picture book Opal Lee and What It Means to be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncan will be on display from June 1 to June 17 at the Fern Hill, Kobetich, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock branches. No registration required. Stop by a participating branch during regular open hours. Social distancing is required and masks are strongly encouraged. 

Tacoma Creates and Northwest Sinfonietta present Tuesday by David Weisner

What happens when a mole teaches itself to play the violin? Join Northwest Sinfonietta cellist Gretchen Yanover and other guests to find out! Children will enjoy live, original cello music, create a soundscape to David Weisner’s beloved ‘Tuesday,’ and create their own ......More

What happens when a mole teaches itself to play the violin? Join Northwest Sinfonietta cellist Gretchen Yanover and other guests to find out! Children will enjoy live, original cello music, create a soundscape to David Weisner’s beloved ‘Tuesday,’ and create their own musical instrument to take home.

Staff In-Service Day - All Branches Closed

All Tacoma Public Library branches will be closed on Friday, June 10th for Staff In-Service day.

Spuddy Buddy

Meet us under the tree at the Wheelock Branch to learn how to grow your own no dig potatoes. Make your own spuddy buddy!  Check out some book titles to help you grow and prepare vegetables......More

Meet us under the tree at the Wheelock Branch to learn how to grow your own no dig potatoes. Make your own spuddy buddy!  Check out some book titles to help you grow and prepare vegetables from your own garden.

Oceanfest Photography Exhibit and Story Trail

This exhibit featuring remarkable pieces from Tacoma's own Oceanfest will be on display at all branches from June 1 through August 13.  Each library's photography exhibit will feature QR codes linking to an audio......More

This exhibit featuring remarkable pieces from Tacoma's own Oceanfest will be on display at all branches from June 1 through August 13.  Each library's photography exhibit will feature QR codes linking to an audio Story Trail.  Pieces will vary and include work by Annie Crawley, Mike Coots, and David Doubilet. Annie Crawley is a Seattle diver, underwater photographer and filmmaker. She travels the world, taking incredible shots for science expeditions, conservation and her own campaign "Our Ocean and You." Learn more about Annie's upcoming in-person library presentation! Mike Coots is a world-renowned advocate for sharks, ocean conservationist, competitive surfer (using a prosthetic limb as a result of an amputation from a life-threatening shark encounter when a teen) and an undersea photographer documents sharks in their world and his own experiences in these remarkable photos David Doubilet  As a National Geographic Photographer he has spent five decades exploring and documenting the far corners of the world from beneath interior Africa, remote tropical coral reefs, rich temperate seas and recent projects beneath the polar ice. A contributing editor for several publications and an author of 12 titles including the award winning Water Light Time. His numerous photographic awards include Picture of the Year, BBC Wildlife, Communication Arts and World Press. David is a member of the Academy of Achievement, Royal Photographic Society, International League of Conservation Photographers and International Diving Hall of Fame. David was named a National Geographic Contributing Photographer-in-Residence in 2001.

Pride Scavenger Hunt

Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in June and Tacoma Pride in July with a fun kid's scavenger hunt! Join us June 14th – July 9th at the Fern Hill, Kobetich, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock branches for a LGTBQA+ Pride themed scavenger hunt! Learn more a......More

Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in June and Tacoma Pride in July with a fun kid's scavenger hunt! Join us June 14th – July 9th at the Fern Hill, Kobetich, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock branches for a LGTBQA+ Pride themed scavenger hunt! Learn more about LGBTQA+ history and current affairs. Find all the images to win a prize!

Sea Creature Creation Station

Join us all summer long at the sea creature creation stations at any of our Tacoma Library branches! Create your own brand new species of fish, add some eyes, maybe some teeth, and let us know when your new creation is complete. We'd love to add your creation to our oc......More

Join us all summer long at the sea creature creation stations at any of our Tacoma Library branches! Create your own brand new species of fish, add some eyes, maybe some teeth, and let us know when your new creation is complete. We'd love to add your creation to our ocean of possibility display!

Nimble Thimbles

The Nimble Thimbles are back at Wheelock! Bring what you are working on and join this friendly bunch of quilters for companionship and conversation. This lively group meets every Wednesday. All are welcome!

Free Rental Assistance

Do you need help with landlord-tenant issues? Have questions about evictions? Want to know if you are eligible for help with past due rent or utilities due to Covid 19? Pierce County Human Services and Tacomaprobono are here to support you. Stop by for free, drop in ......More

Do you need help with landlord-tenant issues? Have questions about evictions? Want to know if you are eligible for help with past due rent or utilities due to Covid 19? Pierce County Human Services and Tacomaprobono are here to support you. Stop by for free, drop in help with all types of housing questions!

Juneteenth Storywalk: Opal Lee and What It Means to be Free

Celebrate our newest federal holiday Juneteenth with a storywalk for all ages!  Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S. and commemorates African-American freedom, is observed on June 19. The......More

Celebrate our newest federal holiday Juneteenth with a storywalk for all ages!  Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S. and commemorates African-American freedom, is observed on June 19. The picture book Opal Lee and What It Means to be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncan will be on display from June 1 to June 17 at the Fern Hill, Kobetich, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock branches. No registration required. Stop by a participating branch during regular open hours. Social distancing is required and masks are strongly encouraged.