The Tacoma Public Library Foundation

A strong public library system is the very foundation upon which a community can build for the future, It supports all other forms of community life from the arts and business, from education to public affairs, science to entertainment. While tax dollars can create a good library, a community partnership can create a great library.

The Tacoma Public Library holds a unique place in the life of our city. No other institution bridges the cultural, ethnic, and economic difference among our people. No other institution offers, without charge, the opportunity to access such a broad range of educational resources. No other institution is more important to the future of our children and our City.

The Tacoma Public Library Foundation was established to assist the Tacoma Public Library to fulfill its mission by providing financial support and creative resources. The Tacoma Public Library Foundation provides funding for projects which complement, but to not supplant, the Cityof Tacoma's responsibility for continued funding of the Tacoma Public Library.

The Tacoma Public Library and the Tacoma Public Library Foundation's Library Partnership will work hand-in-hand to bring new learning and cultural experiences, emerging technology and community services to children and families in each and every library in the city of Tacoma.

Contributions from members of The Library Foundation support the Tacoma Public Library 's valuable collections of books and materials, especially the unique resources of the Northwest Room and Special Collections; selected capital improvements, and the expansion and enhancement of library services to provide greater access to learning for everyone, young and old, in our community. Specifically:

The Murray Morgan Room & Pacific Rim Collection
Celebrating the outstanding contributions of historian, author, teacher and journalist Murray Morgan, the Tacoma Public Library is creating a special room to house the author's manuscripts, research papers, and working library. This inestimable personal library, complemented by a growing collection of books on the Pacifc Northwest and the Pacific Rim, will be invaluable resource for researchers, historians and students.

TEAM READ
Young adult book discussion groups which help develop critical reading and comprehension skills necessary for success in school and in life.

Collection Enhancement
A critical program enabling the library to maintain a broad range of books and materials that meet the ever changing needs of our communities.

Special community exhibitions
A library is more than books. Museum quality exhibitions(from the Smithsonian Institution, among other sources) offer an extraordinary opportunity for students to examine our dynamic past or unique cultures, and provide an important perspective on our world.

The Tacoma Public Library Foundation was incorporated in 1996 as a tax-exempt charitable non profit corporation to seek private sector support for the Tacoma Public Library. The Tacoma Public Library serves the City of Tacoma through 9 branch libraries and a downtown Main Library.

It is the policy of the Tacoma Public Library Foundation that a portion of gifts and/or income therefrom is used to defray the costs of raising and administering the funds.

For more information about the Tacoma Public Library Foundation, or to receive a membership brochure, please call the Library at (253) 591-5606.

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