Advocate
Our board of directors are dedicated advocates of the Library who value ensuring Library access for all. They build relationships with individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations, and actively seek support for Library core services and innovative programs.
Invest
An Impact Committee from the Board guides the funding process by reviewing grant applications from the Library, interviewing Library staff, and making investment recommendations to the entire Foundation board regarding priority Library programs and services.
Impact
Success is determined by how we positively impact the lives of library customers, through our fundraising success and the outcomes achieved through the Impact Investment process.
Focus Areas of Support
Learning
Prepare the very young to learn.
Support school and career success for all ages.
Enjoyment
Inspire curiosity and imagination.
Foster a love of reading.
Create opportunities to discover new interests or pursue passions.
Community
Build a reading community, support interaction and success for all.
Learning
Early Learning
Block Play and KABOOM Imagination PlaygroundTM help children build skills in math, literacy, science, social-emotional development, and technology. Blocks and books are transported to library branches, Head Start/ECEAPS programs and community events.
STEM
Science to Go backpacks with five books related to a specific STEM subject, activity sheet and a field notebook are available at the library.
Classes in computer code programming, 3-D printing, Lego Mindstorms, a robot building program, are available.
Adult Learning
Get Hired!, a Job & Business Center (JBC) program, will strengthen services and training to job seekers to reduce the number of disconnected young adults and help all ages to attain a GED or High School diploma.
“After receiving help from a librarian, a customer worked at a JBC computer to apply for jobs, later he emailed to say thank you and that he submitted five job applications. He stopped by the next day and happily reported that he had two job interviews. One week later he came back to announce he has a new job“
Enjoyment
E-Books and E-Readers
E-book publication trends are making it easier to purchase titles and expand reading materials available especially for seniors needing large print. Training in use of e-books and e-readers will be available.
Building a Reading Community
Summer Reading is designed to keep students reading through the summer months, better preparing them for the next level in education and life. Youth are provided with incentives to keep learning through reading.
Our Own Expressions is a countywide teen contest involving writing, poetry, photography and art. It is promoted through the News Tribune, libraries, and schools. Teens enter their work, professionals in each field select the final winners. Their work is published and the books are available at the library for all to read.
Community
On the Road
The Explorer Bookmobile and our roving kid’s vans bring summer reading to youth at community sites, focusing on those whom face significant socioeconomic and transportation barriers to access branch services.
Community Programs
Pierce County READS brings the community together to read and discuss the same book(s) with discussions and a meeting with the author.
Pierce County MakerFest is a one day, all age celebration of the Do it Yourself culture.
Pierce County Conversations is a youth, teen, and adult program intending to explore a range of opinions and viewpoints, and to have meaningful dialogue with neighbors.
Our Community Adventure provides families an adventure map to exciting, low-cost experiences that introduce children to the big-wide-world of their community.