Suggest for Purchase FAQs

  • General Questions

    You can make up to 3 purchase suggestions each month. Please suggest only one format per title. Suggestions are tracked in your Library Account.

    Librarians are guided by selection criteria outlined in the Collection Development Policy, as well as the current budgetary circumstances.

    Your purchase suggestions are managed within your My Account Settings area.  Once logged in, you will be able to see your suggestions, their status, and it's where you'll receive messages from the library about your suggestion.

    Congratulations on the publication of your book and thank you for your interest in adding your work to Tacoma Public Library’s collection. Tacoma Public Library has developed a Local Author Collection and will happily make available books that meet the following criteria:

    • The author resides in Tacoma or Pierce County, or the setting or subject is the city of
      Tacoma or Pierce County.
    • One copy of the book is donated to the library for inclusion in the Local Author
      Circulating Collection. Additional copies may be purchased to meet patron demand
      per the standard holds to copies ratio.
    • The author must submit a Bibliographic Information for Local Author Collection, opens a new window form.
    • The format of the book is suitable for library circulation

    The Collection Development Department will review submitted material to ensure it is appropriate for the Local Author Collection. Books approved for the Local Author Collection will be identified with a local author label and will be located at the Main Branch. Books in the Local Author Collection will be subject to our standard deselection guidelines.

    Please bring a donated copy of your work and a completed Bibliographic Information for Local Author Collection, opens a new window form to any Tacoma Public Library. You can expect most works to appear in the catalog within six weeks of submission date. If you have any questions, please email info@tacomalibrary.org, opens a new window.

    Patrons who have a valid standard, limited, or TPS Pathway Tacoma Public Library card may suggest items for purchase. Patrons living in another library’s service area who hold a Tacoma Public Library card through a reciprocal agreement must suggest items through their home library system.