Up and Atom: Straw Connectors

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. Today, kids will use straw connectors to tackle fun engineering challenges â designing tall towers, sturdy bridges, and creative structures. Work together, test your ideas, and se......More

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. Today, kids will use straw connectors to tackle fun engineering challenges â designing tall towers, sturdy bridges, and creative structures. Work together, test your ideas, and see what amazing things you can build!

Swasey Book Club

Join us for the Swasey Book Club! June's selection is The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean. About the book: Detective Chelsey Calhoun's life is turned upside down when she gets the call that Ellie Black, a girl who disappeared years earlier, has resurfaced in the ......More

Join us for the Swasey Book Club! June's selection is The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean. About the book: Detective Chelsey Calhoun's life is turned upside down when she gets the call that Ellie Black, a girl who disappeared years earlier, has resurfaced in the woods of Washington state--but Ellie's reappearance leaves Chelsey with more questions than answers. Stop into the Swasey branch to secure your book club copy and then join us for the discussion on June 17. We hope you'll join us! (The Swasey Book Club selection checks out on a first-come, first-served basis. Supply is limited. Ask library staff for assistance.) Call us at (253)280-2970 if you have any questions.

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.

Drop-in Tech Help @ Swasey Branch

Swasey Branch staff will assist with learning basic computer skills like email, web searching and MS Office programs, navigating apps and using your iOS or Android devices, getting started on resumes and cover letters, and more. No registration required, but capacity ......More

Swasey Branch staff will assist with learning basic computer skills like email, web searching and MS Office programs, navigating apps and using your iOS or Android devices, getting started on resumes and cover letters, and more. No registration required, but capacity is limited. Ask for assistance at the Information Desk. People will be assisted in the order they arrive. Please note: It is easiest to assist people with more specific tasks, technical issues, or focused subjects for study (for example, "Learning how to print photos off my phone?"). That said, staff will work to help learners with more general issues (for example, "Learning about computers?"). 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.

Creative Expressions: Open Crafting for Adults

Unleash your creativity in a welcoming, relaxed environment! Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just exploring a new hobby, this open crafting program is designed for adults looking to create, connect, and unwind. Bring your own project or experiment with provided su......More

Unleash your creativity in a welcoming, relaxed environment! Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just exploring a new hobby, this open crafting program is designed for adults looking to create, connect, and unwind. Bring your own project or experiment with provided supplies while enjoying casual conversation and inspiration from fellow craft enthusiasts. No registration requiredâjust drop in and start crafting! From painting and paper crafts to knitting and beyond, thereâs something for everyone. Come as you are, leave with something handmade and a newfound sense of artistic joy. Basic crafting supplies will be provided.

Tile Painting with Alcohol Inks

Join us and "color your world" as we use alcohol inks to create art on ceramic tiles. Freestyle your own design or use one of the fun stencils we will have available. All supplies are provided. This event is for ages 13 and up. Alcohol inks are a highly saturated, fa......More

Join us and "color your world" as we use alcohol inks to create art on ceramic tiles. Freestyle your own design or use one of the fun stencils we will have available. All supplies are provided. This event is for ages 13 and up. Alcohol inks are a highly saturated, fast-drying ink with an alcohol base. They will stain clothes and skin. Gloves will be available, but we suggest wearing crafting clothes. Registration is required for this event.

Reading the Tidepools with Tacoma Nature Center

Join the Tacoma Nature Center at Titlow Beach as we walk along the shore with beach naturalists and discover fascinating critters that make their homes under the rocks and tidepools and learn how to be a kind visitor and take care of this unique habitat. This is an a......More

Join the Tacoma Nature Center at Titlow Beach as we walk along the shore with beach naturalists and discover fascinating critters that make their homes under the rocks and tidepools and learn how to be a kind visitor and take care of this unique habitat. This is an all ages event, but adult supervision is required for children.  Please register only the children in your party. 

Up and Atom: Balloon-Powered Cars

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities.  This week, team up with educators from LeMay - America's Car Museum to build and race your very own balloon-powered cars! This high-energy family workshop is a fun-filled way to......More

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities.  This week, team up with educators from LeMay - America's Car Museum to build and race your very own balloon-powered cars! This high-energy family workshop is a fun-filled way to explore science, engineering, and creativity and is perfect for kids of all ages!

Learn to Play Mah Jongg

Join us for an exciting journey into the world of Mah Jongg, the captivating tile-based game with a rich history. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this interactive session will introduce you to the fundamentals, strategies, and social aspects......More

Join us for an exciting journey into the world of Mah Jongg, the captivating tile-based game with a rich history. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this interactive session will introduce you to the fundamentals, strategies, and social aspects of the game. You'll gain hands-on practice in a welcoming environment and connect with fellow enthusiasts! No prior experience requiredâjust bring your curiosity. Register for one date or all the dates.  Chose what works best for you!  

A Gathering of Poets

Ever want to participate in a conversation with local poets? Now is your chance! Come visit with the poets of #VoicesofTacoma who have published an anthology of their most recent works. Feel free to bring your questions, your poetic ideas, and/or your own works for sha......More

Ever want to participate in a conversation with local poets? Now is your chance! Come visit with the poets of #VoicesofTacoma who have published an anthology of their most recent works. Feel free to bring your questions, your poetic ideas, and/or your own works for sharing. If there is time, we will also use it to create poetry! Be among us with rhythm and rhyme, speak words for our chosen time-- join us!

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.

Drop-in Tech Help @ Swasey Branch

Swasey Branch staff will assist with learning basic computer skills like email, web searching and MS Office programs, navigating apps and using your iOS or Android devices, getting started on resumes and cover letters, and more. No registration required, but capacity ......More

Swasey Branch staff will assist with learning basic computer skills like email, web searching and MS Office programs, navigating apps and using your iOS or Android devices, getting started on resumes and cover letters, and more. No registration required, but capacity is limited. Ask for assistance at the Information Desk. People will be assisted in the order they arrive. Please note: It is easiest to assist people with more specific tasks, technical issues, or focused subjects for study (for example, "Learning how to print photos off my phone?"). That said, staff will work to help learners with more general issues (for example, "Learning about computers?"). 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.

Yarn Wrapped Rainbow Craft with Remakery Tacoma

Join us as we welcome Remakery Tacoma for this instructor-led session where we will make yarn-wrapped rainbow decorations! We'll use yarn or thread to wrap around cord in this project that comes together easily and is delightfully colorful. Each rainbow can be personal......More

Join us as we welcome Remakery Tacoma for this instructor-led session where we will make yarn-wrapped rainbow decorations! We'll use yarn or thread to wrap around cord in this project that comes together easily and is delightfully colorful. Each rainbow can be personalized with different colors. All materials and supplies are provided at this free event. All supplies, tools, and materials are provided. Remakery Tacoma only uses 100% post-consumer materials like reclaimed yarn and donated embroidery thread. Supplies and table space are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration required for this event. Presented by Remakery Tacoma, funded by Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.

Up and Atom: Fireworks Salt Painting

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. Today, kids will design their own fireworks by drawing with glue, sprinkling salt, and painting with watercolors to create bright, textured art. Join us for a fun hands-on STEAM p......More

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities. Today, kids will design their own fireworks by drawing with glue, sprinkling salt, and painting with watercolors to create bright, textured art. Join us for a fun hands-on STEAM project thatâs bursting with imagination!

Learn to Play Mah Jongg

Join us for an exciting journey into the world of Mah Jongg, the captivating tile-based game with a rich history. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this interactive session will introduce you to the fundamentals, strategies, and social aspects......More

Join us for an exciting journey into the world of Mah Jongg, the captivating tile-based game with a rich history. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this interactive session will introduce you to the fundamentals, strategies, and social aspects of the game. You'll gain hands-on practice in a welcoming environment and connect with fellow enthusiasts! No prior experience requiredâjust bring your curiosity. Register for one date or all the dates.  Chose what works best for you!  

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 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.

EspaĂąol/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. ÂżQuieres practicar tu ingles? AcompaĂąa a nuestro grupo de charla para intercambiar inglĂŠs y e......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. ÂżQuieres practicar tu ingles? AcompaĂąa a nuestro grupo de charla para intercambiar inglĂŠs y espaĂąol en la Biblioteca Swasey. Cualquier nivel de conocimiento es bienvenido a participar en este intercambio de idiomas.