Everything you need to know about current Tacoma Public Library services.
Visit a Library
TPL To Go
Holds Pickup Service
TPL To Go holds pickup is available at all Tacoma Public Library locations, including the Eastside Microlibrary at Eastside Community Center.
There are two ways to pick up your holds with TPL To Go:
- Make an appointment to pick up holds on your schedule, or;
- Walk up during TPL To Go hours:
TPL To Go hours:
| Tuesday and Wednesday | 12p.m.–2 p.m. and 5 p.m.–7 p.m. |
| Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 10 a.m. –12 p.m. and 3 p.m.–5 p.m. |
TPL To Go hours at Eastside Community Center:
| Tuesday | 12p.m.–2 p.m. |
Note that this is a walk-up service (no phone available) at the café window and is available one day per week, on Tuesdays.
Borrowing
There are three ways to borrow materials while the library's buildings are closed to the public in Phase 2:
- Make an appointment to Visit a Library. Limited walk-in appointment are also available.
- Use our TPL To Go holds pickup service, opens a new window to borrow physical items. Please log in, opens a new window to your account online or on the TPL app, opens a new window to place holds.
- Use your library card, opens a new window (eCard or physical card) to access eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming movies and TV shows, opens a new window via our eResources, opens a new window.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service is not available at this time.
Returns
Tacoma Public Library is accepting returns at all locations, including the bookdrop at Eastside Community Center. Bookdrops are available 24/7.
The materials you return must undergo a 24-hour quarantine period before they can be checked in by library staff. In some cases, materials may continue to appear on your account for up to a week after you returned them. Overdue fines will not accrue. Once the material is 81 days past its due date, it will be considered lost, at which time you will be charged a replacement fee.
Get Help
Library staff are available via telephone, chat, email, and even Zoom conference. Our Youth Services Staff is also here to help! Contact us for book recommendations, help with eResources, or even just to chat (with an adult caretaker present).
Visit a Library: some locations are now open for in-building services. Learn more about how to make an appointment.
Call us: Contacting us by phone is the fastest way to get help. Library staff are ready to take your phone inquiries about library services, local information, and more. Staff are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at our main line, 253.280.2800.
Email us: If your query is not urgent and you can wait two to three days for a response, feel free to email us. Send an email through our Contact Us form for help with your account, or to send a question or comment. You can also email us directly at info@tacomalibrary.org.
Ask a Librarian: Use the Ask a Librarian chat, opens a new window or email, opens a new window virtual reference service to ask questions online that are not specific to your account at Tacoma Public Library. This service is staffed by Tacoma Public Library and other library systems in Washington State.
Zoom with TPL: If your question requires additional conversation, a library staff member may follow up with you individually to schedule a one-on-one Zoom conference call.
Library Cards
eCards: You can get an eCard today! Sign up through our web form, opens a new window. Use your eCard to access eBooks, eMagazines, AudioBooks, and Comics, and all of our other popular eResources, opens a new window. eCards expire after 6 months.
Update: You may now place up to three holds and check out up to three physical items with an eCard. Place holds by logging into your account, opens a new window using our website or TPL app. Once your items are ready, you will receive a notification via email or phone with instructions on picking up your holds using our TPL To Go service, opens a new window. If you would like to upgrade your eCard to a full library card for increased borrowing privileges (60 items checked out, 30 items on hold), please bring your ID and a piece of mail with your current address. Please keep in mind that your eCard will expire after 6 months. Questions? Please call 253.280.2800 during our regular operating hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Physical cards: Physical cards must be acquired in-person at a library. Some locations are now open for in-building services. Learn more about how to make an appointment.
Non-resident cards: A non-resident library card can be purchased by those who are not eligible for a free library card, opens a new window, due to their location outside of Tacoma Public Library's service area, for a fee of $59 for 12 months or $29.50 for 6 months.
Update: To purchase a new non-resident card or to renew your existing non-resident card, please call 253.280.2800 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Payment must be made by credit card or check. Unfortunately, we cannot accept cash payments at this time.
Pathway Cards: Students enrolled in Tacoma Public Schools and Tacoma Public Schools educators have library access using their school ID numbers. Visit our Pathway Partnership, opens a new window page to learn more.
eResources
Your Tacoma Public Library card gives you access to a huge variety of eResources! Check them out on our website, opens a new window. Some of the most popular eResources with TPL patrons are Overdrive/Libby, opens a new window (eBooks and eAudiobooks), Hoopla, opens a new window (Comics, TV shows, eBooks, eAudiobooks, and Movies), Creativebug, opens a new window (on-demand arts and crafts tutorials), Kanopy and Kanopy Kids, opens a new window (for streaming documentaries and film). and Lynda.com, opens a new window (software and technology courses).
Student and Family Resources
Tacoma Public Library has a variety of resources to support students and families with remote learning, enrichment, and entertainment. Please visit our K-12 Homework Center, opens a new window, our Teens & Tweens, opens a new window page, or our new and improved Kids & Families, opens a new window page for more information on resources and services.
Our Youth Services Librarians are also here to help! No question is too small!
- Need to find a book to read?
- Need some suggestions for a reluctant reader?
- Looking for a specific Accelerated Reader level?
Youth Services Librarians are able to put together customized reading recommendation lists, teach you how to use online databases, and more!
Update: Tacoma Public Library now offers eBook club picks for Kids and Teens. Hand selected by TPL’s Youth Services staff, these eBook titles are always available to checkout through Overdrive/Libby; no holds and no waiting! Learn more here, opens a new window.
Update: Need some picture books and early readers quickly? You can now request a book bundle of picture books and early readers from 10 different themes during TPL To Go. Just visit the branch of your choice during the T, opens a new windowPL To Go Hours and call the number posted outside the branch to let staff know you would like a book bundle and which theme. Library staff will handpick 4 books around that theme and bring them to you at the TPL To Go door.
- Limit of 3 bundles per visit
- See the list of themes here, opens a new window
CALL US: 253.280.2800
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12–8 p.m.
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
EMAIL: youthservices@tacomalibrary.org, opens a new window
ASK A LIBRARIAN: Use the Ask a Librarian chat, opens a new window, or email, opens a new window reference service to ask questions online that are not specific to your account at Tacoma Public Library. This service is staffed by Tacoma Public Library and other library systems in Washington State.
Services at Your Neighborhood Library
When will TPL reopen its libraries to the public? Short answer: when it is safe to do so. Please read our full statement for more information.
Click the name of your library to find out what services it is currently offering:
| Eastside Microlibrary at Eastside Community Center | Building closed to the public. |
|
| Fern Hill Library | Open for limited in-building services |
|
| Kobetich Library | Building closed to the public. |
|
| Main Library | Building closed to the public. |
|
| Moore Library | Building closed to the public. |
|
| Mottet Library | Building closed to the public. |
|
| South Tacoma Library | Building closed to the public. |
|
| Swasey Library | Open for limited in-building services |
|
| Wheelock Library | Building closed to the public. |
|
