Kid Program Kits: Craftopia Star Magnets

Craftopia is partnering with Tacoma Public Library to provide fun and free crafts for kids! Visit any of our branches starting Friday, July 11  to pick up a kit while supplies last. Ages 3 and up. Program kits are a fun wa......More

Craftopia is partnering with Tacoma Public Library to provide fun and free crafts for kids! Visit any of our branches starting Friday, July 11  to pick up a kit while supplies last. Ages 3 and up. Program kits are a fun way to bring our arts and crafts activities home with you. There is no live program element to program kits —take one home and let it spark your creativity!

Storytime on the Lawn: Family

Join us for a family storytime on the lawn at the Wheelock branch. This event is Bring Your Own Blanket. Say 'hello' to your storytime friends and enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs! All outdoor programming is dependent on the weather conditions, program may be moved i......More

Join us for a family storytime on the lawn at the Wheelock branch. This event is Bring Your Own Blanket. Say 'hello' to your storytime friends and enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs! All outdoor programming is dependent on the weather conditions, program may be moved indoors. Want to continue the fun at home? View these fun Storytime song and book recommendations here. 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. Want to continue the fun at home? View these fun Storytime song and book recommendations here.

Storytime on the Lawn: Baby

Join us for a baby storytime on the lawn at the Wheelock branch. This event is Bring Your Own Blanket. 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 fu......More

Join us for a baby storytime on the lawn at the Wheelock branch. This event is Bring Your Own Blanket. 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. All outdoor programming is dependent on the weather conditions, program may be moved indoors.

Petite Picasso

Join us in our community meeting room after Family Storytime on the Lawn. Create little masterpieces and join us for some process art-making fun! Process art allows children to explore a variety of materials and foster a sense of expression and creativity. Remember ......More

Join us in our community meeting room after Family Storytime on the Lawn. Create little masterpieces and join us for some process art-making fun! Process art allows children to explore a variety of materials and foster a sense of expression and creativity. Remember to wear your art clothes the projects are often messy. Best suited for ages 2 years and up. No registration required. *Program will be moved to 12:45pm if there is inclement weather and story times have been moved indoors.

Alex Zerbe Gravity Catastrophe Science Show

Alex Zerbe is the world’s only professional Zaniac. The Zaniac takes a tornado of juggling skills, combines it with a whirlwind of in-depth physics knowledge and sends it crashing directly into your brain. Join us for a fun science show with an explosive mix of jugglin......More

Alex Zerbe is the world’s only professional Zaniac. The Zaniac takes a tornado of juggling skills, combines it with a whirlwind of in-depth physics knowledge and sends it crashing directly into your brain. Join us for a fun science show with an explosive mix of juggling and fun. *Registration is not required for the event but will be limited to the first 100 attendees.

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 Pride Month and reading: Out of the Blue 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**

Drop-in Tech Help @ Wheelock

We can help with technology! Let Wheelock Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills, learn about productivity software and using library services like Libby and Hoop......More

We can help with technology! Let Wheelock Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills, learn about productivity software and using library services like Libby and Hoopla. No registration required, but limited capacity. Ask Wheelock Branch staff for assistance. People are helped in the order of arrival. Given time limits and staff availability, it is often easier to assist with specific issues and learning goals. Staff can help narrow your focus. Some goals may require multiple 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.

LGBTQA+ Pride Month Scavenger Hunt

Join us from June 24 - July 19 at the Fern Hill, Kobetich, Main, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock branches during ......More

Join us from June 24 - July 19 at the Fern Hill, Kobetich, Main, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock branches during open hours for a themed kid's scavenger hunt. For pride month, participants will search the library for a cast of characters from some of our favorite modern fairytales and fairytale retellings that feature queer couples. Have fun, earn a prize and discover a great selection of picture books to celebrate pride month with the whole family.

A Walk through Neon

Neon was once the sign of success and glam. Tacoma was studded with bright neon signage that heralded the success of the city but by the early 1970s the city moved to outlaw neon signs and mandated that local business had to remove them. Over the years the signs came d......More

Neon was once the sign of success and glam. Tacoma was studded with bright neon signage that heralded the success of the city but by the early 1970s the city moved to outlaw neon signs and mandated that local business had to remove them. Over the years the signs came down, only to find out the city had just approved the neon lights as the main decoration of the newly constructed Tacoma dome. Thus, the fight for neon began in earnest. Join Pretty Gritty Tours and explore Tacoma's bright future as we illuminate the past signs with a walk through neon.

Drop-in Tech Help @ Wheelock

We can help with technology! Let Wheelock Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills, learn about productivity software and using library services like Libby and Hoop......More

We can help with technology! Let Wheelock Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills, learn about productivity software and using library services like Libby and Hoopla. No registration required, but limited capacity. Ask Wheelock Branch staff for assistance. People are helped in the order of arrival. Given time limits and staff availability, it is often easier to assist with specific issues and learning goals. Staff can help narrow your focus. Some goals may require multiple 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.

Up and Atom: Kindness Rocks

Join us for Up and Atom STEAM Days where we try out different STEAM and craft activities.  Spread joy in your community with Kindness Rocks by decorating rocks with positive and inspirational affirmations that can be sprinkled around town.

Kid Program Kits: Craftopia Pinwheels

Craftopia is partnering with Tacoma Public Library to provide fun and free crafts for kids! Visit any of our branches starting Friday, July 18 to pick up a kit while supplies last. Ages 3 and up. Program kits are a fun way......More

Craftopia is partnering with Tacoma Public Library to provide fun and free crafts for kids! Visit any of our branches starting Friday, July 18 to pick up a kit while supplies last. Ages 3 and up. Program kits are a fun way to bring our arts and crafts activities home with you. There is no live program element to program kits —take one home and let it spark your creativity!

Storytime on the Lawn: Family

Join us for a family storytime on the lawn at the Wheelock branch. This event is Bring Your Own Blanket. Say 'hello' to your storytime friends and enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs! All outdoor programming is dependent on the weather conditions, program may be moved i......More

Join us for a family storytime on the lawn at the Wheelock branch. This event is Bring Your Own Blanket. Say 'hello' to your storytime friends and enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs! All outdoor programming is dependent on the weather conditions, program may be moved indoors. Want to continue the fun at home? View these fun Storytime song and book recommendations here. 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. Want to continue the fun at home? View these fun Storytime song and book recommendations here.

Storytime on the Lawn: Baby

Join us for a baby storytime on the lawn at the Wheelock branch. This event is Bring Your Own Blanket. 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 fu......More

Join us for a baby storytime on the lawn at the Wheelock branch. This event is Bring Your Own Blanket. 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. All outdoor programming is dependent on the weather conditions, program may be moved indoors.

Petite Picasso

Join us in our community meeting room after Family Storytime on the Lawn. Create little masterpieces and join us for some process art-making fun! Process art allows children to explore a variety of materials and foster a sense of expression and creativity. Remember ......More

Join us in our community meeting room after Family Storytime on the Lawn. Create little masterpieces and join us for some process art-making fun! Process art allows children to explore a variety of materials and foster a sense of expression and creativity. Remember to wear your art clothes the projects are often messy. Best suited for ages 2 years and up. No registration required. *Program will be moved to 12:45pm if there is inclement weather and story times have been moved indoors.

Drop-in Tech Help @ Wheelock

We can help with technology! Let Wheelock Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills, learn about productivity software and using library services like Libby and Hoop......More

We can help with technology! Let Wheelock Branch staff assist you with learning about and troubleshooting your computers and digital devices. Together, we’ll improve basic computer skills, learn about productivity software and using library services like Libby and Hoopla. No registration required, but limited capacity. Ask Wheelock Branch staff for assistance. People are helped in the order of arrival. Given time limits and staff availability, it is often easier to assist with specific issues and learning goals. Staff can help narrow your focus. Some goals may require multiple 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.

Kindness Rocks

Join us for a creative and uplifting program where kindness takes shape—one rock at a time! Paint and decorate stones with positive messages, inspiring words, and beautiful designs. Once finished, these little works of art can be placed around town to brighten someone'......More

Join us for a creative and uplifting program where kindness takes shape—one rock at a time! Paint and decorate stones with positive messages, inspiring words, and beautiful designs. Once finished, these little works of art can be placed around town to brighten someone's day and spread unexpected joy. All supplies will be provided, and no artistic experience is necessary—just bring your creativity and a willingness to share kindness with the community. Let’s make the world a little brighter, one rock at a time! This program is designed for adults and teens.