Up and Atom: Children's Day Koinobori

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities.

Brick by Brick LEGO Club

Join us on select Wednesdays 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.

Family Chess Club

NEW LOCATION! Meet in the Teen area. Players of all experience levels can learn from experienced chess coach, Bill Rogers. These sessions are designed to provide a relaxed and supportive environment where beginners can learn the basics of chess and gradually improve......More

NEW LOCATION! Meet in the Teen area. Players of all experience levels can learn from experienced chess coach, Bill Rogers. These sessions are designed to provide a relaxed and supportive environment where beginners can learn the basics of chess and gradually improve their skills by learning tactics and strategies. 

Drawing Night with Puget Sound Museum of Natural History

Come spend the evening with real wildlife specimens from the Puget Sound Museum of Natural History and make some art! You can sketch birds, skulls, insects (and more!) and view the wildlife up close. Bring your own art supplies and enjoy your time with the specimens or......More

Come spend the evening with real wildlife specimens from the Puget Sound Museum of Natural History and make some art! You can sketch birds, skulls, insects (and more!) and view the wildlife up close. Bring your own art supplies and enjoy your time with the specimens or use the provided supplies and follow along with the museum's expert artist & naturalist to learn some tips & tricks about how to draw wildlife. Don't miss this unique opportunity to be your own naturalist and create some science-based art! This is a drop-in event. No registration required. Table space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Open to artists at every level of expertise. Best suited for artists ages 10 and up.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Financial Savvy

Whether you're planning for college, starting your first job, or simply want to better understand money management, this program is for you. Join Global Credit Union to learn more about personal finance. This program will provide practical knowledge about money, empow......More

Whether you're planning for college, starting your first job, or simply want to better understand money management, this program is for you. Join Global Credit Union to learn more about personal finance. This program will provide practical knowledge about money, empowering participants to make informed financial decisions and build a secure future.

Musical Storytime with Tacoma Youth Symphony Association

Come and meet the instruments in the symphony orchestra! Musicians from the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association will introduce you to their instruments through short performances and a hands-on musical petting zoo. You will also have the chance to meet a real symphony co......More

Come and meet the instruments in the symphony orchestra! Musicians from the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association will introduce you to their instruments through short performances and a hands-on musical petting zoo. You will also have the chance to meet a real symphony conductor and to hear them read a story all about the symphony orchestra. Please join us for this very special storytime! This program is presented by Tacoma Youth Symphony Association, funded by Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.

Up and Atom: Cherry Blossom Tissue Paper Craft

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities.

Family Chess Club

NEW LOCATION! Meet in the Teen area. Players of all experience levels can learn from experienced chess coach, Bill Rogers. These sessions are designed to provide a relaxed and supportive environment where beginners can learn the basics of chess and gradually improve......More

NEW LOCATION! Meet in the Teen area. Players of all experience levels can learn from experienced chess coach, Bill Rogers. These sessions are designed to provide a relaxed and supportive environment where beginners can learn the basics of chess and gradually improve their skills by learning tactics and strategies. 

Crafting with Remakery Tacoma--Snack Wrapper Zipper Pouches

Join us as we welcome Remakery Tacoma for this instructor-led session where we will make snack wrapper zipper pouches! We will take an old snack bag that was destined for the trash, reinforce it, sew in a zipper and turn it into a reusable pouch. Snack wrappers are di......More

Join us as we welcome Remakery Tacoma for this instructor-led session where we will make snack wrapper zipper pouches! We will take an old snack bag that was destined for the trash, reinforce it, sew in a zipper and turn it into a reusable pouch. Snack wrappers are difficult to recycle. By turning it into a reusable pouch, you can make that wrapper usable again and have a cool accessory to show off to your friends! This project is good for anyone who can confidently use a sewing machine or has sewn a zipper before. All materials and supplies are provided at this free event. Materials are post-consumer meaning they have been donated, recycled or reclaimed. Feel free to bring your own snack wrapper, just make sure to wash it first! 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. Provided by Greentrike, made possible through Tacoma Creates.

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.

Español/English Chat Group

Want to practice your Spanish? Join us at the Swasey branch to exchange English and Spanish. Any level of knowledge is welcome to participate in this language exchange. ¿Quieres practicar tu ingles? Acompaña a nuestro grupo de charla para intercambiar inglés y espa......More

Want to practice your Spanish? Join us at the Swasey branch to exchange English and Spanish. Any level of knowledge is welcome to participate in this language exchange. ¿Quieres practicar tu ingles? Acompaña a nuestro grupo de charla para intercambiar inglés y español en la Biblioteca Swasey. Cualquier nivel de conocimiento es bienvenido a participar en este intercambio de idiomas.

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.

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. 

Check-In with Oasis Youth Center

Oasis Youth Center is a drop-in, resource, and support center for queer and questioning youth ages 14-24. We have over 30 hours of weekly programming and special events throughout the year tailored to the needs and interests of queer youth. Each program and event help......More

Oasis Youth Center is a drop-in, resource, and support center for queer and questioning youth ages 14-24. We have over 30 hours of weekly programming and special events throughout the year tailored to the needs and interests of queer youth. Each program and event helps nurture a healthy, thriving community engaged in cultural celebration, leadership development, artistic expression, and stewardship of the legacy and impact the LGBTQ+ community has in the world. Along with our programs, Oasis provides advocacy support and gender-affirming care to youth. Check-In is Oasis' longest-running program, first started in 1985. During Check-In, everyone has an opportunity to share their name and pronouns, the highs and lows of their week, and we all gather in person with our community and peers! We can't wait for you to join the Oasis community! This program is presented by The Oasis Youth Center, hosted by The Tacoma Public Library, and funded by Tacoma Creates.