Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Agendas, minutes, and full list of upcoming Library Board of Trustees meeting are available here.

Treat Your Shelf Book Club

We pick the theme; you pick the book. A monthly rotating theme or genre book club, where you can discuss what you read, and get recommendations for other books from participants. Love the theme, hate the theme, share all about it in this book club for those who like va......More

We pick the theme; you pick the book. A monthly rotating theme or genre book club, where you can discuss what you read, and get recommendations for other books from participants. Love the theme, hate the theme, share all about it in this book club for those who like variety. Juneâs category is Fish out of water For book ideas see: Fish out of water | Tacoma Public Library | BiblioCommons

Designing Just Futures

In this program, youth will have the opportunity to explore issues they care about in their community and co-design solutions using technology as a tool. Throughout the school year, there will be guests from local and national organizations to facilitate conversations ......More

In this program, youth will have the opportunity to explore issues they care about in their community and co-design solutions using technology as a tool. Throughout the school year, there will be guests from local and national organizations to facilitate conversations relevant to the issues theyâre exploring as well as technical workshops. At the end of the program, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their final projects to the community. Fall: participants will focus on learning and research Winter: participants will focus on designing and testing solutions Spring: participants will focus on implementing solutions and sharing their work with the community. This program is run by Fab-5 with support from the Lifelong Kindergarten Research group at the MIT Media Lab. Presented by Fab-5, funded by 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. Provided by Greentrike, made possible through Tacoma Creates.

Teen Time

Middle School and High School students are invited to join us at the Fern Hill branch on Fridays from 3-4:30 for Teen Time. Meet new friends, relax, play games, work on homework, or make a craft. We'll do something different each time!

Family Storytime

Join us 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 continu......More

Join us 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.

Community Information Session| Sesion de InformaciĂłn Comunitaria

Immigration information in Washington State This community workshop will provide essential information on how individuals and families can be better prepared for uncertain situations related to immigration. Led by Intercultural Collaborations, the session will cover k......More

Immigration information in Washington State This community workshop will provide essential information on how individuals and families can be better prepared for uncertain situations related to immigration. Led by Intercultural Collaborations, the session will cover key protections for all people regardless of status, strategies for responding in different scenarios, and concrete steps to support the community. It will also highlight the importance of having a family preparedness plan, gathering key documents, and navigating legal processes with awareness.  This space is designed to provide practical tools and foster solidarity in times of need. InformaciĂłn de inmigraciĂłn en el estado de Washington Este taller comunitario brindarĂĄ informaciĂłn esencial sobre cĂłmo las personas y familias pueden estar mejor preparadas ante situaciones de incertidumbre relacionadas con la inmigraciĂłn. Dirigido por Intercultural Collaborations, se abordarĂĄn protecciones fundamentales para todas las personas sin importar su estatus, estrategias para responder en diferentes escenarios y pasos concretos para apoyar a la comunidad. TambiĂŠn se hablarĂĄ sobre la importancia de contar con un plan de preparaciĂłn familiar, la recopilaciĂłn de documentos clave y cĂłmo navegar los procesos legales de manera informada. Este espacio estĂĄ diseĂąado para proporcionar herramientas prĂĄcticas y fomentar la solidaridad en tiempos de necesidad.

Baby Storytime

Fun for you and your baby with songs, rhymes, stories and movement. For babies and their caregivers. Recommended for ages birth â 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 â 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.

Up and Atom: Good Vibrations: Sound Science

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities.  Explore the science of sound with DIY instruments like cup phones, straw flutes, and rubber band guitars. Kids will discover how vibrations create the sounds we hear every day! ......More

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities.  Explore the science of sound with DIY instruments like cup phones, straw flutes, and rubber band guitars. Kids will discover how vibrations create the sounds we hear every day!

Drop-in Tech Help @Fern Hill

Get assistance with learning basic computer skills like email, web searching, MS Office programs, navigating apps, using your iOS or Android devices, and more. No registration required, but capacity is limited. Patrons will be assisted in the order they arrive. If ......More

Get assistance with learning basic computer skills like email, web searching, MS Office programs, navigating apps, using your iOS or Android devices, and more. No registration required, but capacity is limited. Patrons will be assisted in the order they arrive. 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.

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. Provided by Greentrike, made possible through Tacoma Creates.

Teen Time

Middle School and High School students are invited to join us at the Fern Hill branch on Fridays from 3-4:30 for Teen Time. Meet new friends, relax, play games, work on homework, or make a craft. We'll do something different each time!

Tacoma Boat Builders Make & Take Pop-Up Event

Tacoma Boat Builders is an organization whose mission is to enrich lives through craftsmanship. TBB is excited to offer a taste of the work that they do at this library pop-up! They will bring multiple project tables for youth and families to work with wood and explore......More

Tacoma Boat Builders is an organization whose mission is to enrich lives through craftsmanship. TBB is excited to offer a taste of the work that they do at this library pop-up! They will bring multiple project tables for youth and families to work with wood and explore their creativity. Youth will have an opportunity to work with wood and choose a project that speaks to them. Staff will support by helping with the design of the project and crafting something that is meaningful to the individual. TBB is excited to share about their programs and support youth in creating something special to take home.

Family Storytime

Join us 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 continu......More

Join us 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.

Family Flicks @Fern Hill

Take a break and join us for Family Flicks @Fern Hill. No reservations needed, but space is limited. Doors open at 2:45pm with the movie starting at 3pm! June 21st â Wicked the Musical â Rated PG, Runtime 2hr