- Board holds special meeting to recruit executive director - 9/23/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will conduct a special meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m., to discuss recruiting a new executive director for the Library System.
Join the meeting by phone or online:
Earlier this month Pierce County Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax announced her retirement. At this special board meeting, the Board plans to discuss and decide on how it will conduct a nationwide search to recruit a new executive director.
Lomax has been a library leader for 35 years and served as the executive director for the Pierce County Library since 2014. As the Pierce County Library’s executive director, Lomax developed a Strategic Framework based upon community needs and, with a voter-approved levy lid lift; she created stable funding for the 75-year-old library system. She also grew several services including STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and created Voter Points of Assistance with the Pierce County Auditor’s Office.
Lomax will continue to serve as executive director until the next executive director arrives, which is anticipated to be the first part of 2022.
More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-agenda-20210929.pdf
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from more than one million books, e-books, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Buckley Library closed remainder of Saturday, September 18 - 9/18/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – Buckley Pierce County Library closed Saturday, September 18, at 2 p.m., for the remainder of the day, as the library has been without power all day due to the rain and windstorms. The Buckley Library plans to be reopen on Monday, September 20.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please visit another Pierce County Library on Saturday, September 18.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
Office-253-548-3428; cell: 253-229-4477
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from more than one million books, e-books, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Pierce County Library System Executive Director Georgia Lomax retiring - 9/8/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Executive Director Georgia Lomax announced today that she is retiring in the first part of 2022. Lomax has been a library leader for 35 years and served as the executive director for the Pierce County Library since 2014.
“I am thankful for the privilege and honor to have led the valued contributions of this important community resource,” said Lomax. “Deciding to retire is a major life direction, and I made this decision with considerable thought, especially because I love what I do, I love Pierce County Library, and I love the communities we serve. I am very proud of the Library System, and very grateful and honored to have served as its executive director.”
While serving as the Library’s executive director for the past seven years, with the guidance of the Board of Trustees, the Library System made significant advances to meet the needs of the diverse communities throughout the county and deliver on its promise of high-quality library services.
From developing a Strategic Framework based upon community needs and getting stable funding from a voter-approved levy lid lift to growing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) services and becoming Voter Points of Assistance, the Pierce County Library has accomplished volumes in the past seven years.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Library System has been pivoting and changing with curbside services and virtual events and classes, as well as offering story times and other events outdoors in parking lots and grassy areas. The Library System continues strengthening its commitment and actions to be a more equitable, diverse and inclusive organization.
In retirement, Lomax plans to continue supporting the plans for the new Sumner Pierce County Library and innovative ways to deliver service into communities without traditional library buildings, as well as spending more time volunteering in other areas.
“I definitely look forward to having more time to read for fun and enjoyment as well as continued learning – even though I’m retiring, I’m still a librarian!” said Lomax. “As I transition, I want Pierce County residents to know they can continue to count on excellent service from the talented Library leaders and staff who are dedicated to delivering the services people need, value and spark success for diverse communities.”
Lomax will continue to serve as executive director until the next executive director arrives, which is anticipated to be the first part of 2022. The Library’s Board of Trustees will conduct a nationwide recruitment for a new executive director.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
Office: 253-548-3428; cell: 253-229-4477
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from more than one million books, e-books, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Steilacoom Pierce County Library closed Saturday, September 4 - 9/3/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – Steilacoom Pierce County Library will be closed Saturday, September 4, because the doors are not working. The Steilacoom Library plans to be reopen on Tuesday, September 7.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please visit another Pierce County Library on Saturday, September 4.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
Office-253-548-3428; cell: 253-229-4477
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from more than one million books, e-books, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Library Board discusses work plan and budget for 2022 - 9/2/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss the Library's 2022 work plan and budget, review an update to its Communications with the Public policy, and conduct other business at its Board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 3:30 p.m.
Join the meeting by phone or online:
- Phone: 253-215-8782, webinar identification: 977 6052 7787, passcode: 106659
- Zoom with a Zoom account from a web browser or an app:
https://zoom.us/j/97760527787?pwd=T1VGT0ZvbEhhRWVmSXdOTEFwQndrQT09
2022 work plan and budget. The Board will begin discussions of how COVID-19, racial equity and other local and world factors may change the public’s use and expectations of libraries, and with that what library services might be needed most. The Board will consider and work to understand the changes that may be required of the Library to ensure it continues offering the services communities value, need and use. The Board will look at how the Library’s near- and long-term service priorities might need to change to respond to changing expectations of communities. The Board’s consideration and direction about these expectations will help Pierce County Library managers develop its work plan and budget for 2022.
Communication with the Public policy update. The Board will review proposed updates to the Communication with the Public policy. A primary change to the policy recommends adding a section to provide guidance and direction for staff communicating with the public. Another change proposes an increased description of the types of communications tools the Library uses. The board will review the proposed changes and may act to approve the updates at the September meeting, or provide revisions to the proposed changes and take action to approve the policy at its October Board meeting.
More information: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/files/library/board-packet-09082021.pdf
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
253-548-3428-office; 253-229-4477-mobile
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from more than one million books, e-books, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Pierce County Library System takes classes and events outdoors - 9/1/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – Learn and have fun at an outdoor class or event at the Pierce County Library System. To give children, teenagers and adults the classes and events they’ve been wanting, the Pierce County Library is offering classes in parking lots, fields and in other outdoor spaces all for free and in a safer way.
“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to reimagine services to safely serve communities,” said Pierce County Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax. “Residents have been asking for ways to reconnect safely and we’ve wanted to reconnect with people, too. With our outdoor classes and events we can make that happen.”
While continuing to offer a variety of virtual events, the Pierce County Library re-imagined in-person activities and now has added outdoor classes and events. Ranging from story time to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) events and poetry walks, people of all ages can learn and have fun.
Upcoming events:
Outdoor Stomp Rockets
Make and decorate paper rockets and launch them from PVC pipe launchers powered by stomping on 2-liter plastic bottles. Ages 3-10. Registration required.
Thursday, Sept. 2, 1-2 p.m., Gig Harbor Pierce County Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. N.W. Event held on the grass field of Peninsula Christian Fellowship, adjacent to the Gig Harbor Library.
Outdoor Family Story Time
Enjoy stories, activities, rhymes and singing for the whole family. Ages 0-6. Registration required.
Tuesday, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Gig Harbor Pierce County Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. N.W. Event held on the grass field of Peninsula Christian Fellowship, adjacent to the Gig Harbor Library.
STEAM Creations and Games - An Outdoor Interactive STEAM Program for Kids
Get together outdoors at the library to create STEAM masterpieces and play games. Parents and caregivers welcome. Ages 5-10. Registration required.
Week 1: Bubbles and Wands - Make bubble wands and bubble mixture to create bubbles.
Week 2: Towers - Engineer tower masterpieces.
Week 3: Light-Up Creatures - Create light-up creatures and learn basic circuitry.
Week 4: Lanterns - Create light-up lanterns and continue basic circuitry learning.
Tuesday, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, 4-5 p.m., Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E.
Wednesday Sept. 8 and Tuesday Sept. 21, 3-4 p.m.; and Saturday Sept. 18 and Saturday Oct. 2, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Steilacoom Pierce County Library, 2950 Steilacoom Blvd.
Steilacoom
Thursday, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 4-5 p.m., Summit Pierce County Library, 5107 112th St. E., Tacoma
Thursday, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Gig Harbor Pierce County Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. N.W. Event held on the grass field of Peninsula Christian Fellowship, adjacent to the Gig Harbor Library.
Outdoor Story Time Series
Join Librarian Rebecca outdoors for books and activities. Registration required.
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Sumner Pierce County Library, 1116 Fryar Ave. Meet in the grassy area to the left of the building.
Paint Jam
Come paint, chat and enjoy music together! Supplies provided. Ages 13-18. Registration required.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Sumner Pierce County Library, 1116 Fryar Ave. Meet in the grassy area to the left of the building.
Adriana Hess Wetlands ~ Poetry in the Park Walk
Walk the Adriana Hess Wetlands with the University Place Pierce County Library and Tahoma Audubon. Read the poetry signs and learn about local nature on this walk. Adults. Registration required.
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 10-11:00 a.m., Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison Rd. W.
For registration required events, register for free on the Library’s website, with the event or class of interest: https://calendar.piercecountylibrary.org/events. The Library continues to add classes and events, please check the website for current offerings.
Poor weather conditions, air quality, public health guidance or other factors may cancel an event or class. Events may have attendance limits due to available supplies or outdoor space or safety considerations; please sign up for the wait list if an event is full. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring a blanket or chair. Per public health directives, masks are required outdoors where physical distancing isn’t possible.
Once the outdoor fun is complete, participants are encouraged to head inside a Pierce County Library to continue learning with a book or Science-to-Go backpack or to check out a book or movie for enjoyment and reduce some stress.
Masks are required in library buildings for ages 5 and older. Following Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s directive and the State of Washington’s order, the Pierce County Library requires the public and staff, regardless of vaccination, to wear masks to avoid the spread of COVID-19. The Washington State Department of Health strongly encourages children ages 2-4 to wear masks.
Learn more about all the events available from the Pierce County Library at calendar.piercecountylibrary.org/events.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
Office: 253-548-3428; cell: 253-229-4477
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from more than one million books, e-books, audiobooks, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Tools to help students start the school year off right - 8/30/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – As students return to the classroom, many are looking for tools and resources to start the new school year off right. The Pierce County Library System’s Tools for Students (http://tools.pcls.us) provides in-library and online resources including live tutors—and all for free.
Tools for Students include in-depth research tools, biographies, science experiments, math picture books and many other resources. Access to all of these resources is free with a Pierce County library card (https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/ecard.aspx?id=1502).
“Students can achieve higher levels of success as well as simply get help with assignments,” said Pierce County Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax. “When students are stuck and parents or caregivers may not have the answers, tutors can review assignments and help with math homework or any subject. And live tutors are just one of the many services.”
Tools for Students:
- Homework Help: Speak with professional real-time, online tutors and get expert help on essays to calculus.
- Research Rocket: Articles from familiar kids’ magazines and news sources. Search by topic and reading level.
- Gale Biography in Context: Review brief biographies with links to articles in newspapers, magazines and websites.
- Gale in Context for Elementary, Middle and High School: Learn with a combination of reference content with age-appropriate videos, newspapers, magazines and primary sources. Categories cover a range of the most-studied topics including cultures, government, people, U.S. and more.
- Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context: Compare opinions, articles and reference materials about controversial topics.
- Science Online from Infobase: Discover experiments, videos, biographies and science research.
- Pronunciator: Learn more than 160 languages.
- SIRS Discoverer: Access research for middle and elementary school students incorporating articles from 1,400+ publications and selected topic websites.
- Booklists: Improve student-reading levels for every grade with accelerated reader lists–books available in libraries, curbside and online.
- Science to Go backpacks: STEAM books and activities for grades K-5 in backpacks.
Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
Office: 253-548-3428; cell: 253-229-4477
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from more than one million books, e-books, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Lakewood Library closed from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 - 8/29/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Lakewood Pierce County Library will be closed from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 due to staff shortages.
The Library’s online services, as always, will be open at www.piercecountylibrary.org, featuring downloadable e-books, audiobooks and magazines (downloads.pcls.us) as well as other services and resources.
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 822,000 million, e-books, audiobooks, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Pierce County Library System closed Monday, Sept. 6, Labor Day - 8/23/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – The Pierce County Library System will be closed on Monday, Sept. 6, Labor Day.
The Library’s online services, as always, will be open at www.piercecountylibrary.org, featuring downloadable e-books, audiobooks and magazines (downloads.pcls.us) as well as other services and resources.
Contact: Mary Getchell | Marketing and Communications Director
253-548-3428-direct; 253-229-4477-mobile
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 822,000 books, movies and other materials as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at the Pierce County Library Administrative Center, Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
- Scheduled website maintenance Aug. 9-12 - 8/6/2021
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – Scheduled maintenance is planned for the Pierce County Library System’s website, Monday, Aug. 9-Thursday, Aug. 12. During this time, the following services’ webpages will be intermittently unavailable:
- My Next Read and TitleQuest (purchase request)
- Job + Business Center
- Military Connections
- Pierce County READS
- STEAM
- Summer Reading
We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your patience.
About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 620,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 822,000 books, movies and other materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities, people who are homebound, and to children in childcare centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
piercecountylibrary.org
facebook.com/PierceCoLibrary
twitter.com/PierceCoLibrary
