In 2023, additional funding from the City of Tacoma enabled Tacoma Public Library (TPL) to invest in a refresh of its World Languages (WL) Collection and hire a dedicated world languages collection librarian. Since then, TPL has acquired print materials in Spanish, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese—the City's five priority languages. The World Languages (WL) Collection at Tacoma Public Library aims to support the information and recreational needs of library users with diverse language backgrounds. Its primary audience are community members with limited English proficiency (LEP).
Library patrons can view World Language materials in their neighborhood libraries, shelved by language in both the children's and adults' areas. Patrons can also browse the collections online, sorted by language: Korean, opens a new window, Russian, opens a new window, Spanish, opens a new window, Ukrainian, opens a new window, and Vietnamese, opens a new window.
In addition to our growing collection, TPL currently offers storytimes in Korean (Fern Hill), Russian (Kobetich), and Vietnamese (S. Tacoma). Additionally, Swasey hosts a bi-monthly English-Spanish conversation exchange for adults. Please check the online event calendar, opens a new window for specific dates and times.
While we don't accept donations for the collection, suggestions are always welcome. You can submit a suggestion for purchase, opens a new window by logging in to your account. Print copies of the form are also available in Korean, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese by emailing info@tacomalibrary.org.
For more information, see our World Language Collection FAQs.
