Library · Tacoma
Libraries in Tacoma
Tacoma Public Library serves Tacoma’s 225,100 residents from 8 locations. Last year it logged 465,851 visits, about 2.1 for every resident, and lent 1.8M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Main Branch
1102 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma 98402
95,727sq ft
407Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Auto-renews loansBooks renew on their own if no one’s waiting
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#19
#19 of 20 · Most-used libraries in WA →Among WA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#13 · Most library borrowing →#11 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
466K
visits
2.1 per resident
1.8M
loans, print + digital
7.9 per resident
2,666
programs & events
43K attended
184K
library cards
82% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 100,000+ people
Per-resident numbers, compared only with libraries of a similar size across the country, because a tiny town’s library always looks busier per person.
Visits per resident
2.1 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (49th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
5.2 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 72% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.7 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 75% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.6 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 73% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (43th percentile)
Cardholders
82% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
1.8M loans last year
Books & media (adults)32%Kids’ books & media34%E-books, audio & streaming34%
Who the programs are for
2,666 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$92 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $21M.
Local 98%Gifts & other 2%
Locations
Other libraries in Tacoma
About these numbers
How to read this page
Hours are an averageThe survey reports a building’s public hours for the whole year. We divide by the weeks it was open, so check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
Compared by size“Similar-size” means libraries serving about as many people, nationwide. Per-resident numbers always flatter the smallest towns, so they’re never compared with big cities.
One year, the library’s own countLibraries report their own visits, loans and programs for fiscal year 2024. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.
Source: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Distances are straight-line from the town center.