Top Questions

All city of Tacoma residents are eligible for a free card, as are those who meet any of the following criteria.

  • You own property or a business within the city of Tacoma (business owners must present a current B&O license)
  • Current employees of the City of Tacoma or Tacoma Public Schools (must present current pay stub or employee ID)
  • You may also be eligible for a card through one of our reciprocal agreements with nearby libraries

Students and teachers of Tacoma Public Schools may be able to use library services through the Pathway Partnership, opens a new window.

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There are two main ways to find eBooks:

  • For the most complete listing of our eBook collections, go to Tacoma Library's OverDrive (Libby) website, opens a new window  or to our Hoopla website directly.   You can also browse the Tacoma Public Library collection using those services' Apps, opens a new window.
  • eBooks can also be found in the library catalog by searching the term "ebooks, opens a new window" in the library catalog.  (Please note that at this time the catalog does not list every eBook in our collection, nor does it offer all of the features available through the eBook website.)

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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.

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TPL Virtual Reference provides access to information and assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is manned by TPL staff all hours the library is open. If you need information or assistance after hours, there are librarians around the state and country ready to help you through this service.

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The partnership between Tacoma Public Library and Tacoma Public School District (TPS) allows every TPS student (Pre-K – 12) and teacher to have Tacoma Public Library access using their student or employee ID card.  

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Our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service provides access to materials that are not in our collection by requesting them from other library systems.

Make an Interlibrary Loan request using our online form, opens a new window. If you are unable to use the online form, the staff at any of our branches can get a paper version for you to fill out.

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Log into your account in the library’s website. Under My Account, select My Settings. Under Account Preferences, you will find the link for Borrowing History. Slide the toggle switch to On and Save Changes.

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It’s free! There is no charge to replace your Tacoma Public Library card. You can get a replacement card by visiting any library location.

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To register your card:

  • Click the Log In button in the top right corner of the screen; then click Log In again.
  • Enter your library card number and PIN (unless you have changed it yourself, your PIN is usually the last four digits of your phone number)
  • Click Continue to Account Setup
  • Create a username using letters, numbers and underscores
  • If you select a name already in use, the system will offer suggestions
  • You will be asked to accept Bibliocommons Terms of Use by clicking the check box
  • Click Complete Account Setup
Please note: Kids under the age of 13 will select a color and an animal from the menus, instead of creating a username. This will generate a username.

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

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We accept cash, debit card, credit card, and check payments for prints and booksale items in the branch.

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  • Log in to your account on the library's website
  • Click on "My Account"
  • From the drop down menu click on "Fees"
  • Select "Pay Fees"
  • This will open up a new log-in screen. Enter in your barcode number and pin again.
  • Select the fines you want to pay and click on "Continue"
  • Enter in your credit card information and click on "Continue"
  • Fill out your card security code and billing information and click on "I Authorize this transaction"
  • Confirm that your information is correct and select "Submit Transaction for Processing"

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For Standard, Unverified, Limited, and Internet cardholders, your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number unless you have changed it yourself.

For eCards, directions to create your pin are included in the email you received containing your card number.

For Pathway Partnership cards, your PIN is 1234 unless you have changed it yourself. Please visit our Pathway Partnership FAQs for more information.

The library does not have access to your PIN. If you have already registered your card on our website, you can reset your pin here. Otherwise, please visit any one of our eight locations to reset your pin.  

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To renew your library card privilege, visit one of our 8 library locations. You will need to:
 
  • Present your Tacoma Public Library card (or present your picture identification)
  • Pay off your library card fines. You can pay your fines with cash or check.
  • Verify your contact information

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If you received an Opt-In form regarding the Pathway Partnership, this means your family elected not to share any FERPA, opens a new window ( Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protected information with outside organizations.

The Opt-In form will allow your child’s information to be shared only with the Tacoma Public Library, but no other organizations. This will allow your child to use his/her student ID as a library card at the Tacoma Public Library.

To learn more about opting in or out of the Pathway program, visit your Tacoma Public Schools Librarian.

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