Donate FAQs

  • General Questions

    The library accepts bequests made through your will or trust. You can make a general donation, or specify which programs and collections you wish your money to support.  For more information, please contact the Finance Office at (253) 280-2870.

    Yes, the library accepts donations of materials including books, movies, and music in good condition.   

    • Donations of no more than 2 clean boxes per household per week can be accepted at any open branch.   
    • Please do not put donations in outside book returns or leave donations outside the building when we are closed.   
    • Tax deduction slips are available by request, but we cannot assign a value to your items

    If you are interested in donating to the Northwest Room's Local History and Genealogy collection, please review their donation information.

    All donations are subject to approval. We reserve the right to decline a donation that is not consistent with the policies, programs, and interests of the library. 

    We accept:

    • New or gently used hardcover and paperback books  
    • Audiovisual materials (Blu-ray, DVD, CD, audiobooks) in good condition 
    • Magazines no older than 3 years old 

    We are unable to accept: 

    • Moldy or damaged items, including books with missing covers or pages, broken spines, or containing handwriting or highlighting 
    • Textbooks, encyclopedias, law, statute and regulation books 
    • Magazines more than 3 years old 
    • Homemade DVDs or CDs or VHS 
    • Video games 
    • LP’s and cassette tapes 
    • Advanced Reader Copies 
    • Reader’s Digest condensed books 
    • Nonfiction books more than 10 years old 
    • Medical, computer, and travel guides more than 3 years old 
    • Discarded materials from schools or other library systems 

    Donations are typically sold in the branch library book sales or via library partners online. The proceeds support the library's Summer Reading Club.

    Tacoma Public Library welcomes monetary donations to support its mission and programs. The Tacoma Public Library Foundation directly supports the Tacoma Public Library through advocacy and fundraising. Make an online donation to the Tacoma Public Library Foundation through their website.

    Additionally, you can donate directly with cash or card to Tacoma Public Library at the circulation desk of any library location. Another option is to mail a check to the Tacoma Public Library Finance Office: 

    Tacoma Public Library

    c/o Finance Office

    1102 Tacoma Ave. S

    Tacoma, WA 98402

    All financial contributions, whether they are directly to Tacoma Public Library or to the Tacoma Public Library Foundation, are tax-deductible. Contact the Finance Office with questions about donations by calling 253.280.2870.