Everything you need to know about current Tacoma Public Library services.
Visit a Library
Holds Pickup
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:
- Make an appointment for contactless holds pickup on your schedule, or;
- Visit a Library building during our services hours
Holds Pickup 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 two ways to borrow physical materials from Tacoma Public Library
- Make an appointment for Contactless Holds Pickup
- Visit a Library building during our service hours
- 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.
Get Help
Library staff are available via telephone, chat, email, and even Zoom conference. Contact us for book recommendations, help with eResources, or even just to chat (with an adult caretaker present).
Visit a Library: Learn more about Visiting a Library.
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. Location and Hours.
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, opens a new window today through our online ecard application, opens a new window. eCards are good for 6 months and offer access to all of our online resources, including eBooks and eAudiobooks, as well as 3 holds and 3 checkouts on physical materials. You can convert your ecard to a standard card with full borrowing privileges by visiting a library, opens a new window with your photo ID and proof of address (such as a piece of mail).
Standard Cards: Standard cards, opens a new window must be acquired by visiting a library, opens a new window with your photo ID and proof of address (such as a piece of mail). Standard cards offer access to all of our online resources, including eBooks and eAudiobooks, as well as 30 holds and 60 checkouts on physical materials.
Non-resident Cards: A non-resident library card, opens a new window 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. To purchase a new non-resident card or to renew your existing non-resident card, you can visit a library, opens a new window or call 253.280.2800 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Noon to 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to Noon or 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Payment must be made by credit card or check.
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.
Learn more about our Library Cards by visiting our Library Card FAQs, opens a new window.
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 LinkedIn Learning (software and technology courses).
Donations
We are now accepting donations of physical materials. Visit our FAQs for more information.
Tacoma Reads 2021
Read the book. Join the conversation.
#tacomareads
Tacoma Reads is a city-wide reading program that seeks to unite the community in dialogue around contemporary themes through reading a common text. A longstanding partnership between the City of Tacoma’s Mayor’s Office and the Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma Reads in 2021 is thrilled to have the support of the Tacoma Urban League as its premier sponsor. Learn more.
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:
| Library Services at Eastside Community Center, opens a new window |
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| Main Library | Northwest Room and Digital Media Lab open by appointment |
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| All other Locations | Open for limited in-building services |
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