Pierce County Library System
Information & Imagination

Help plan the future for your Lakewood and Tillicum Pierce County Libraries!

Apply to volunteer on the Pierce County Library System and City of Lakewood’s community advisory committee. The committee, made up of community leaders and volunteers, will review public input about Lakewood and Tillicum Pierce County Libraries from 2019, study the significant building needs, and provide advice to the Library System about how it could best provide library services for Lakewood.

Selected committee members will participate in approximately five online meetings, planned from June-September 2022.

Apply by April 30, 2022 using this application or pick up an application at Lakewood or Tillicum Libraries or Lakewood City Hall.

As you may have noticed on recent visits to the Lakewood Library, the roof is leaking and unfortunately, that is one of several concerns with the aging building. Through the years, the Library System has taken many steps to repair and maintain the aging, well-loved, and well-used building.

Recently architects assessed the 59-year-old Lakewood Library and determined rough estimates for the building require $10-$15 million in repairs for improved safety and access, including replacing the roof and damage throughout the building from the leaky roof, replacing the elevator, heating and cooling system, and plumbing system, and upgrading windows and doors. This estimate includes urgent needs and long-term investments.

Similarly, the Library System has invested in the Tillicum Library, which is housed in a building owned by the Tillicum Community Center. The Tillicum Library is another well-loved and used library in critical condition.

In late 2021, the Library System contracted with building inspectors to examine the 38-year-old library and they found significant amounts of water seeping into the building at both the roof and the siding. They also found dilapidated insulation, windows doors and building systems. Overall, they concluded the building is in need of a substantial overhaul.

Portions of the roof need to be completely redesigned and replaced before winter of 2022. The replacement would involve removing portions of the roof, exposing the interior of the building. This would require the Library System to remove books and other materials as well as furniture from the building. With unknown timing of needed roof material because of supply chain issues, it is uncertain when materials would be available. Therefore, the Library System is looking into a short-term location to serve the community while the community advisory committee works on a more permanent solution.

Roof builders and an engineer determined rough estimate costs to replace the roof at $2.4-$3.5 million.

While the advisory committee is working, the Library System will not invest further in the buildings and determined further costs for repairs far outweigh the value of the buildings. It is evaluating its options to serve the community best.

The Library System and City are very interested in the ideas and recommendations from the advisory committee.

The Library System is committed to providing quality library services for all Lakewood residents in a safe, accessible manner and space. Thank you for your support of the Library System, especially as it balances safe, quality service with its commitment to manage taxpayers’ investment in the Library System responsibly.