Free Legal Aid Pop-Ups

Are you facing eviction? Do you need help with a landlord-tenant issue? Do you need help with an eviction on your record or a legal financial obligation you can't pay? Want to learn more about getting help with your legal issue? Stop by for free, drop-in help, in......More

Are you facing eviction? Do you need help with a landlord-tenant issue? Do you need help with an eviction on your record or a legal financial obligation you can't pay? Want to learn more about getting help with your legal issue? Stop by for free, drop-in help, information and resources from Tacomaprobono!

Bloodworks Northwest

Donors needed! Tacoma Public Library and Bloodworks Northwest are hosting a 2025 blood drive in the Olympic Room. Donating blood helps patients with treatments, procedures and surgeries.  Make an appointment to donate blood between August 1 – September 6 for a chanc......More

Donors needed! Tacoma Public Library and Bloodworks Northwest are hosting a 2025 blood drive in the Olympic Room. Donating blood helps patients with treatments, procedures and surgeries.  Make an appointment to donate blood between August 1 – September 6 for a chance to win big! Grand Prize: Win a $10,000 gas gift card to keep your tank full and your adventures rolling.  Bonus Giveaway: Win one of five $500 REI gift cards to help refuel your spirit with fresh air and new gear. Visit Bloodworks - Donor Portal or scan the QR code to book your one-hour appointment. Photo ID and appointments required. No one under the age of 16 permitted on site.  All donations go to patients in the PNW.

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. 

Up and Atom: Sock Puppets

Join us for a unique STEAM activity each week with your local librarian! Sock puppets are a classic, but did you know that with a little bit of cardboard and some felt we can turn a simple sock puppet into a professional looking puppet? This week we will explore some ......More

Join us for a unique STEAM activity each week with your local librarian! Sock puppets are a classic, but did you know that with a little bit of cardboard and some felt we can turn a simple sock puppet into a professional looking puppet? This week we will explore some simple puppet making techniques used by hobbyists and professionals alike. Please note that the library will be providing a selection of clean, used socks for this program. Participants are also welcome to bring their own. This is a great craft to make use of socks that have lost their pairs!

Studio and Storytime with Tacoma Art Museum

Join TPL and TAM for Studio + Storytime held at Tacoma Art Museum! Studio + Storytime begins with a reading of a storybook, exploring some art in TAM's galleries, and then a hands-on art project in TAM's studio classroom! Geared towards kids ages 2-8. This month we ......More

Join TPL and TAM for Studio + Storytime held at Tacoma Art Museum! Studio + Storytime begins with a reading of a storybook, exploring some art in TAM's galleries, and then a hands-on art project in TAM's studio classroom! Geared towards kids ages 2-8. This month we will be celebrating Summer and reading: Becoming Charley Please note: Classroom space is limited, if the space is full the activity and book of the month will be available at TAM Studio on the first floor. **REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED - REGISTER IF YOU'D LIKE TO RECEIVE A REMINDER EMAIL** Presented by Tacoma Art Museum, funded by the City of Tacoma/Tacoma Creates, and hosted by Tacoma Public Library.

Coding in the Wonder Lab

Dive into coding in the Wonder Lab. We’ll give an introduction to Scratch coding using our iPads. Whether you’re new to Scratch or a seasoned coder, come join in on the fun.

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.

Handforth Gallery - Life Itself Is You and Me

Now showing in the Handforth Gallery, see Life Itself Is You and Me by Christopher Petrich.  This show is a study of relationships. Christopher asked friends, family, and others to sit for a portrait, and then to write something of the relationship that was the focus o......More

Now showing in the Handforth Gallery, see Life Itself Is You and Me by Christopher Petrich.  This show is a study of relationships. Christopher asked friends, family, and others to sit for a portrait, and then to write something of the relationship that was the focus of each sitting. All through the project Christopher was aware that the relationships in the photographs always included him as photographer at the time of the sitting. Everyone was there for the same thing, which was an appreciation of living side by side with one another. Even if it's for brief moments at a time. These works were created in 1992, and it was exhibited in this same gallery in 1993 and will be viewable through September. 

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. 

Creative Circle

Join us for an hour of casual crafting and socializing. Crafting projects may include papercraft, felting, rock painting and other fun activities. No experience is necessary. This is a chance for any and all beginner crafters who are looking for a way to express thems......More

Join us for an hour of casual crafting and socializing. Crafting projects may include papercraft, felting, rock painting and other fun activities. No experience is necessary. This is a chance for any and all beginner crafters who are looking for a way to express themselves creatively. All supplies will be provided.

Digital Media Lab Intro

Get to know your new Digital Media Lab (DML) and learn what the possibilities are for voiceover, music recording, podcasting, and audio production. We will give an overview of the different tools, how they’re integrated into the computer workstation, and how you can ge......More

Get to know your new Digital Media Lab (DML) and learn what the possibilities are for voiceover, music recording, podcasting, and audio production. We will give an overview of the different tools, how they’re integrated into the computer workstation, and how you can get started in the right direction. Open to participants ages 12 and up. Located in the Main Branch Maker Lab - No experience necessary.

Books on Tap

In August we'll be reading Orbital, the 2024 Booker Prize Award Winner, by Samantha Harvey. Orbital is an eloquent meditation on space and life on our planet through the eyes of six astronauts circling the earth in 24 hours. The eAudiobook and eBook are available on ......More

In August we'll be reading Orbital, the 2024 Booker Prize Award Winner, by Samantha Harvey. Orbital is an eloquent meditation on space and life on our planet through the eyes of six astronauts circling the earth in 24 hours. The eAudiobook and eBook are available on both Hoopla and Libby. Visit Books on Tap online or on the MeetUp app for the location and to RSVP. Hope you can join us!

Movies at Main

Join us at the Main library for a special presentation of Princess Mononoke. This 1997 film is rated PG-13 and has a run time of 2 hours and 13 minutes.

Digital Media Lab: Multi-track Recording I

Make your own tiny desk concert with several musicians at once. In this program we’ll go over how to record several instruments simultaneously in the Digital Media Lab. We'll review how the mixer works to record electric or acoustic guitars, bass, drums, piano, and vo......More

Make your own tiny desk concert with several musicians at once. In this program we’ll go over how to record several instruments simultaneously in the Digital Media Lab. We'll review how the mixer works to record electric or acoustic guitars, bass, drums, piano, and vocals.

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!

Community Building Zine Workshop

Join us as we partner with Tacoma Tool Library and UP WA Indivisible to bring monthly zine making workshops to the library. We will provide all the supplies you need to make a zine of your own including crafting supplies, guidance from other zine makers and free photoc......More

Join us as we partner with Tacoma Tool Library and UP WA Indivisible to bring monthly zine making workshops to the library. We will provide all the supplies you need to make a zine of your own including crafting supplies, guidance from other zine makers and free photocopying. Participants will also have the chance to add copies of their zine to the Community Zine Library for other members of the community to take and enjoy. This event will take place on the second floor of the Tacoma Public Library's Main branch in the Mixing Chamber. The event is free, family-friendly and open to participants of any skill level, including first time zine makers.

Back to School Scavenger Hunt

Join us August 19 to September 13 at all of our branches and gear up for back to school with a fun scavenger hunt at the library!  Find all of the images and turn in your sheet at the desk for a prize!