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Summer Learning Adventure

Join our Summer Learning Adventure between June 1st and July 29th! Read, listen, create, and attend free activities this summer. Complete bingo cards tracking your progress and earn prizes.

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Spotlight

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Blogpost

Beers for Books Beers for Books

By TacomaLibrary
Tacoma Public Library has teamed up with Peaks & Pints in the Proctor district for a fun evening on Thursday, May 25th. From 6:00 to 9:00 pm, Redhook, a local Seattle brewery, will be promoting their craft brews and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Friends of Tacoma Pu…
Tacoma Public Library has teamed up with Peaks & Pints in the Proctor district for a fun evening on Thursday, May 25th. From 6:00 to 9:00 p…
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Event

All Branches Closed Saturday, May 27th All Branches Closed Saturday, May 27th

May 27th
All Branches
All Tacoma Public Library branches will be closed on Saturday, May 27th in observation of Memorial Day.
All Tacoma Public Library branches will be closed on Saturday, May 27th in observation of Memorial Day.
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News

What is Summer Slide… What is Summer Slide and Why is it Important to Stop?

School is almost out for summer and for children around the country it means “No more pencils. No more books. No more teachers’ dirty looks.” But for educators, librarians, and parents it also means many children will succumb to the Summer Slide. What is the Summer Slide you ask…
School is almost out for summer and for children around the country it means “No more pencils. No more books." But for educators, librar ...
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Tales to Tails Tales to Tails

By TacomaLibrary_Kids
Read to Sam, the library’s attentive certified therapy dog.  Reading to dogs encourages children to read by providing a non-judgmental listener and a furry friend that will not judge them if they make a mistake or stumble over a word, but rather lie next to them and enjoy the st…
Read to Sam, the library’s attentive certified therapy dog.  Reading to dogs encourages children to read by providing a non-judgmental list…
Find Dates and Times
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Summer Learning Adventure Kick-Off Party Summer Learning Adventure Kick-Off Party

Join Tacoma Public Library in celebrating the start of the 2017 Summer Learning Adventure with a kick-off party on Saturday, June 3rd from 1 - 2 pm. Stop by any branch to pick up your Summer Learning Logs and decorate a canvas bag to create your very own summer reading bag. Bags…
Join Tacoma Public Library in celebrating the start of the 2017 Summer Learning Adventure with a kick-off party on Saturday, June 3rd from …
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Did You Know

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PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next

04/03/2017
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Borrowing History is Back!

03/29/2017
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Zinio: Magazines To Go

03/17/2017
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Microsoft Certification Practice Exam…

03/07/2017

World Languages for Everyone

12/03/2016

Catalog Carousels

  • New Fiction

Local History

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Blogpost

Bob and Al: Marble Kings Bob and Al: Marble Kings

By TacomaLibrary_NW_History
In May of 1940, Robert H. Hager (left), physical education supervisor for Tacoma Public Schools, and Al Hodges, playground and recreation supervisor for Metropolitan Parks, were photographed demonstrating the correct "knuckle down" hand position required in the upcoming Marble K…
In May of 1940, Robert H. Hager (left), physical education supervisor for Tacoma Public Schools, and Al Hodges, playground and recreation s…
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Blogpost

Miss Tacoma 1964 Miss Tacoma 1964

By TacomaLibrary_NW_History
18-year-old Pacific Lutheran University freshman, Miss Tacoma Angela Nicholson, tends to some gardening on May 16, 1964, as she holds a blossom in her gloved hand. The new Miss Tacoma won her crown on May 9, 1964. See more featured images and posts
18-year-old Pacific Lutheran University freshman, Miss Tacoma Angela Nicholson, tends to some gardening on May 16, 1964, as she holds a blo…
Image of men building furniture
Blogpost

Making Camp Harmony Home Making Camp Harmony Home

By TacomaLibrary_NW_History
While interred at "Camp Harmony", in May of 1942, three unidentified Japanese Americans built their own furniture for their barracks "apartments." The Puyallup Assembly Center "Camp Harmony" had been constructed by the Army in less than 3 weeks. The living quarters were makeshif…
While interred at "Camp Harmony", in May of 1942, three unidentified Japanese Americans built their own furniture for their barracks "apart…
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Blogpost

Marietta Fleck, Welder Marietta Fleck, Welder

By TacomaLibrary_NW_History
Tacoma honored its war-worker mothers of service men for Mother's Day, May of 1943. Mrs. Marietta Fleck was a welder at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Company. Her son James Albert Nickerson had been an instructor of trainees in the infantry at Salina, Kansas. See more featured ima…
Tacoma honored its war-worker mothers of service men for Mother's Day, May of 1943. Mrs. Marietta Fleck was a welder at Seattle-Tacoma Ship…
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Blogpost

National Hospital Day 1944 National Hospital Day 1944

By TacomaLibrary_NW_History
Tacoma hospitals observed National Hospital Day on Friday May 12, 1944.This photograph, taken in the surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital shows (from left to right) Mrs. Darlene St. Onge, supervisor of surgery, U.S. Cadet Nurse Patricia Richards, Dr. R. Merrick, U.S. Cadet Nurse Eld…
Tacoma hospitals observed National Hospital Day on Friday May 12, 1944.This photograph, taken in the surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital shows…
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PNW Living

FalconGuides, Where to Hike
Biking Puget Sound
Camping Washington
Washington Wild Roads
On the Fly Guide to the Northwest
The Wild Coast
Staff List

Hiking and Biking and Climbing Oh My! Hiking and Biking and Climbing Oh My!

recommended by TacomaLibrary
Spring is here and Tacoma Library has dozens of recreation guides that will inspire you to get out and play in the beautiful Washington outdoors. Let’s hike, bike, kayak, fish, camp, explore tidal pools, rock climb and take a scenic drive.
Spring is here and Tacoma Library has dozens of recreation guides that will inspire you to get out and play in the beautiful Washington…
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Staff List

Northwest Hikes and History Northwest Hikes and History

recommended by TacomaLibrary
Use this list of books from Tacoma Library to explore the relationship between history and hikes in the region.
Use this list of books from Tacoma Library to explore the relationship between history and hikes in the region.
Culinary Herbs & Spices of the World
Herb Gardening From the Ground up
The Kitchen & Garden Book of Herbs
The Northwest Herb Lover's Handbook
The Beginner's Guide to Edible Herbs
The Practical Guide to Using Herbs
Staff List

Herbs & Your Garden Herbs & Your Garden

recommended by TacomaLibrary
Tacoma Library has some exciting titles to jump start your Spring herb garden.
Tacoma Library has some exciting titles to jump start your Spring herb garden.
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Staff List

Cargo Shipping by Diesel and Sail: Today… Cargo Shipping by Diesel and Sail: Today…

recommended by TacomaLibrary
Every year cargos worth billions cross the wharves at the Port of Tacoma. Is the work of today’s merchant seaman different from that expe…
Every year cargos worth billions cross the wharves at the Port of Tacoma. Is the work of today’s merchant seaman different from that expe…
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Staff List

Kickoff The Seahawks Season. Down! Set!… Kickoff The Seahawks Season. Down! Set! Read!

recommended by TacomaLibrary
Join Tacoma Public Library for the start of another, hopefully, exciting season of Seattle Seahawks football. Think of this selection of books (and one glorious DVD) as your training camp for learning about the franchise's history and Pete Carroll's coaching philosophy. SEA! HAW…
Join Tacoma Public Library for the start of another, hopefully, exciting season of Seattle Seahawks football. Think of this selection of bo…
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Books & Authors

Diva Q's Barbecue
The Barbecue Lover's Big Book of BBQ Sauces
Weber's New American Barbecue
Franklin Barbecue
Steven Raichlen's Planet Barbecue!
Master of the Grill
Staff List

Burnt Offerings For Summer Burnt Offerings For Summer

recommended by TacomaLibrary
Find the perfect barbecue recipe for Summer yummies at your Tacoma Library.
Find the perfect barbecue recipe for Summer yummies at your Tacoma Library.
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Library Reads Top Ten May 2017 Library Reads Top Ten May 2017

By TacomaLibrary
Nothing says “must read” quite like a Librarian’s stamp of approval! Every month LibraryReads.org releases the top 10 picks for the month, …
Nothing says “must read” quite like a Librarian’s stamp of approval! Every month LibraryReads.org releases the top 10 picks for the month, …
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Staff List

May is National Bike Month May is National Bike Month

recommended by TacomaLibrary_Kids
Time to get out your bike and get ready to ride. Check out some great children's books from Tacoma Public Library.
Time to get out your bike and get ready to ride. Check out some great children's books from Tacoma Public Library.
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Event

Book Club Book Club

Jun 7th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Wheelock Branch
Join us to discuss H is for Hawk (2014, nonfiction) by Helen MacDonald.Helen MacDonald becomes obsessed with the idea of training her own g…
Join us to discuss H is for Hawk (2014, nonfiction) by Helen MacDonald.Helen MacDonald becomes obsessed with the idea of training her own g…
Essays After Eighty
Nothing to Be Frightened of
On Living
Being Mortal
Life Itself
Mortality
Staff List

Life and All That Life and All That

recommended by TacomaLibrary
Life is about both living and aging. We hope for a meaningful life and a peaceful end. Though aging is difficult, it is our natural path. T…
Life is about both living and aging. We hope for a meaningful life and a peaceful end. Though aging is difficult, it is our natural path. T…
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