Up and Atom: Pom Pom Palooza

Join us in the Olympic room for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out a different STEAM activity each week. Did you know that there are so many things you can do with a homemade pom pom? This week we'll be bringing out our yarn collection, our pom pom makers, and a ......More

Join us in the Olympic room for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out a different STEAM activity each week. Did you know that there are so many things you can do with a homemade pom pom? This week we'll be bringing out our yarn collection, our pom pom makers, and a little bit of everything from our craft closet so you can make pom pom critters, keychains, garlands, or just about anything else you can imagine.

Drop-in Tech Help at Main

We can help with technology! Let Main Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills in these areas:  computers, tablets, e-readers, or smartphones setting up and usin......More

We can help with technology! Let Main Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills in these areas:  computers, tablets, e-readers, or smartphones setting up and using email or other similar accounts web searching word processing or related work using Microsoft or Google products finding books or other materials with the library catalog and online resources like Libby and Hoopla printing, photocopying, and scanning at the library No registration required, but time will be limited to 20–30-minute sessions. Patrons are helped in the order of arrival.  Depending on particular technical needs and goals, consider attending multiple Saturday sessions. If you need help right away, explore 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.

Wonder Lab Exploration: Building

Let’s explore the Maker Lab! Learn about some of the building tools available in the Maker Labs. In this rotation, you’ll have the chance to interact with Strawbees and Keva Planks.

Family Storytime

Join us in the children's area 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......More

Join us in the children's area 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.

Brick by Brick LEGO Club

Join us in the Olympic Room for Brick by Brick LEGO Club! Free build to your heart's content! All ages welcome. No registration required. Please leave your personal LEGOs at home.

Handforth Gallery Exhibit

Experience a rotating exhibition of local creativity on view from October through December at the Handforth Gallery. Launched during the Kaleidoscope opening celebration on Saturday, October 4, this exhibition features four unique showcases: Vaquero Azul – An Otomí, M......More

Experience a rotating exhibition of local creativity on view from October through December at the Handforth Gallery. Launched during the Kaleidoscope opening celebration on Saturday, October 4, this exhibition features four unique showcases: Vaquero Azul – An Otomí, Maya, and Taíno Two-Spirit illustrator and sewist presenting a Trans Pride Ofrenda, a space for reflection and community honor centered on Trans Euforia and Indigenous joy. Gillian Nordlund – A series of hand-sewn banners using a human-figure alphabet to inspire collective action and hope, reminiscent of community spaces filled with purpose and encouragement. Tacoma Photo Center – A community photo showcase from the nonprofit arts organization dedicated to expanding access to photography and creative learning. Open Sesame Gallery – A group exhibition entitled Sketchbook Standout features 33 local Tacoma-area artists, each contributing original 9″×12″ works spanning comics, illustration, and fine art, inspired by the Moleskine Project. Free and open to the public during library hours.

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. 

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.

Creative Circle - Button Making

Join us for an hour of crafting fun in the Cascade Room! Today's craft is button making. Choose from a variety of pre-designed templates or create your own and turn it into a button to wear or  stick on a backpack! Make something for yourself or to gift to someone spe......More

Join us for an hour of crafting fun in the Cascade Room! Today's craft is button making. Choose from a variety of pre-designed templates or create your own and turn it into a button to wear or  stick on a backpack! Make something for yourself or to gift to someone special. 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.

All Branches Closed

All Tacoma Public Library branches will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 24 in observance of Christmas Eve.

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!

Social Work Support with Samie

Drop-in to connect with Tacoma Public Library's Social Worker. Samie is happy to listen and assist patrons with resource navigation for a variety of needs related to housing, shelter, domestic violence, VA, employment, behavioral health, McKinney Vento or student supp......More

Drop-in to connect with Tacoma Public Library's Social Worker. Samie is happy to listen and assist patrons with resource navigation for a variety of needs related to housing, shelter, domestic violence, VA, employment, behavioral health, McKinney Vento or student support, and more!

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. 

Friday Movie at Main

Join us at the Main library for a special presentation of Lilo & Stitch. This 2024 film is rated PG and has a run time of 1 hour and 48 minutes.

Up and Atom: Paper Airplanes

Join us in the Olympic room for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out a different STEAM activity each week. This week we are learning the art of making paper airplanes. Will your airplane fly the highest? The farthest? The fastest? Join us in the Olympic room to fin......More

Join us in the Olympic room for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out a different STEAM activity each week. This week we are learning the art of making paper airplanes. Will your airplane fly the highest? The farthest? The fastest? Join us in the Olympic room to find out!

Drop-in Tech Help at Main

We can help with technology! Let Main Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills in these areas:  computers, tablets, e-readers, or smartphones setting up and usin......More

We can help with technology! Let Main Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills in these areas:  computers, tablets, e-readers, or smartphones setting up and using email or other similar accounts web searching word processing or related work using Microsoft or Google products finding books or other materials with the library catalog and online resources like Libby and Hoopla printing, photocopying, and scanning at the library No registration required, but time will be limited to 20–30-minute sessions. Patrons are helped in the order of arrival.  Depending on particular technical needs and goals, consider attending multiple Saturday sessions. If you need help right away, explore 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.

Arduinos in the Wonder Lab

Try out our Arduino circuit boards here in the Maker Labs. We’ll take a look at the peripherals they control and do real onscreen coding activities using Arduino IDE software (based upon C programming language). This fun and engaging electronics deep dive will help you......More

Try out our Arduino circuit boards here in the Maker Labs. We’ll take a look at the peripherals they control and do real onscreen coding activities using Arduino IDE software (based upon C programming language). This fun and engaging electronics deep dive will help you understand how electronics manage power and route instructions based on changing conditions. Kids in grades 6-8 are welcome with caregiver participation.

Community Compass

Offered as an extension of our Social Work program, drop-in to connect with University of Washington Tacoma's Master of Social Work Practicum Students. They will be happy to listen and assist patrons with general support and resource navigation. 

Family Storytime

Join us in the children's area 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......More

Join us in the children's area 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.

Brick by Brick LEGO Club

Join us in the Olympic Room for Brick by Brick LEGO Club! Free build to your heart's content! All ages welcome. No registration required. Please leave your personal LEGOs at home.