Tacoma Public Library

Tacoma Public Library
Main Branch in Tacoma
47°15′09″N 122°26′41″W / 47.25250°N 122.44472°W / 47.25250; -122.44472
TypePublic
Established1894
Service areaTacoma, Washington, U.S.
Branches8
Collection
Items collected406,524
Access and use
Circulation1,774,005 (2024)
Population served225,100
Members183,992
Other information
DirectorAmita Lonial[1]
Employees109
Parent organizationCity of Tacoma
Websitetacomalibrary.org
References: Washington Public Library Statistical Report (2024)[2]

The Tacoma Public Library (TPL) system serves the city of Tacoma, Washington, United States. It is a public library operated by the city government that has eight locations—a central library and seven branches.[2][3] The Tacoma Public Library has over 180,000 registered users and serves a population of 225,100 residents; it had a circulation of 1.77 million items in 2024.[2]

The system offers the use of computers, books, DVDs, and music at its branches and through mail services, as well as electronic databases, e-books, and audiobooks through its website. Libraries are also home to programming and community events. TPL is separate from the Pierce County Library System, which operates 19 libraries across most of the county.[4] The Tacoma Public Library was established in 1894 after the city government funded the creation of a small public library on the fifth floor of the city hall. An earlier library had been donated to the city in 1898 but only operated for one year.[5]

The Main Library of Tacoma was opened on June 4, 1903, and was the first Carnegie library built in Washington state. The original two-story building had a dome that was damaged in a 1949 earthquake and mostly removed at a later date.[6] The Main Library was expanded by the construction of a new section in 1952 that spanned 67,000 square feet (6,200 m2) and the original section underwent major renovations from 1988 to 1990.[7] The addition was renovated from 2023 to 2025. The Main Library houses the Northwest Room, a special collection for Tacoma and Pacific Northwest history, and the Handforth Gallery.[1][8]

A second location, the South Tacoma Branch, opened in May 1911.[9] In 2011, the Tacoma Public Library closed two of its branches, the Martin Luther King Jr. Library near Hilltop and the Swan Creek Library in Salishan. Both branches had opened in the late 1980s as part of an expansion of the system but were closed during budget cuts due to their low circulation and other factors.[3] A "microlibrary" kiosk stocked with books and other items opened near the former Swan Creek branch in 2019.[10] A new logo and branding for the system was unveiled in 2025.[11]

Branches

Tacoma Public Library locations
Branch[12] Neighborhood[12] Opened Notes
Fern Hill Fern Hill 1950[13]
Kobetich Northeast Tacoma 1980[14] Named for Mary Rose Kobetich[15]
Main Branch Central Tacoma 1903[6] Carnegie library; expanded in 1950[1]
Moore East Tacoma 1950[9] Named for Grace R. Moore[9]
Mottet McKinley Hill 1930[5] Named for Charlotte White Mottet[5]
South Tacoma South Tacoma 1911[9]
Swasey West Tacoma 1950[16] Named for George O. Swasey[16]
Wheelock Proctor District 1927[17] Named for Anna Lemon Wheelock[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c Sailor, Craig (January 27, 2025). "Tacoma's main library reopens after 16 months of renovations. Here's what's inside". The News Tribune. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "2024 Washington Public Library Statistical Report" (PDF). Washington State Library. September 2025. pp. 46–52. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Needles, Allison (January 31, 2022). "Tacoma's Eastside, Hilltop lost libraries a decade ago. Is it time to bring them back?". The News Tribune. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  4. ^ Trivedi, Isha (August 31, 2025). "Here's a roundup of Labor Day holiday closures in Tacoma area". The News Tribune. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c McClintock, Marshall (September 2024). "Tacoma Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Charles White Mottet Branch" (PDF). Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission. pp. 7–9. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  6. ^ a b Dorpat, Paul (November 12, 2011). "Tacoma library was state's 1st Carnegie". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  7. ^ Ripp, Bart (April 26, 1990). "Carnegie would approve: Tacoma Library to reopen in roomy 'sea of books'". Soundlife. The News Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved March 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Ruud, Candice (July 4, 2016). "Lovers of the Northwest Room fear losing Tacoma's history if collection closes". The News Tribune. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d "The Grace R. Moore Branch Library Ready for Dedication Friday". The Tacoma News Tribune. June 16, 1950. p. A10. Retrieved March 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Needles, Allison (October 2, 2019). "'Book vending machines' coming to Eastside, Hilltop, which lost libraries to budget cuts". The News Tribune. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  11. ^ "Tacoma Public Library launches new logo!". Tacoma Public Library. January 17, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  12. ^ a b "Locations". Tacoma Public Library. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  13. ^ "Fern Hill Library will mark silver anniversary". The News Tribune. March 7, 1975. p. A4. Retrieved March 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Kobetich Library to open Friday". The News Tribune. June 9, 1980. p. A11. Retrieved March 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Lizberg, Carl (August 30, 1979). "Work starts on library, station". The News Tribune. p. A4. Retrieved March 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b "Swasey Branch Library Opens On West Side". The Tacoma News Tribune. October 8, 1960. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b McClintock, Marshall (September 2024). "Tacoma Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Anna E. McCormick Branch Library" (PDF). Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission. p. 7. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
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