Vision
Ignite literacy of all kinds for every child, teen, and adult in Pierce County to build a knowledgeable, aware, engaged, and empowered community, critical to fueling our social and economic prosperity.
Mission
We are community leaders and advocates who collaborate with the Pierce County Library System.
We develop trusting, enduring relationships with community members, businesses, and organizations, raising private funds and investing them in the Library’s strategic priorities to nurture and boost the human potential required to thrive in today’s knowledge economy.
We foster innovation to ensure access for all and inspire lifelong learning for a thriving, diverse Pierce County, now and in the future.
Timeline
October 21, 1970: the first meeting of the Pierce County Library Foundation was called to order.
1984: the Foundation reported bank accounts of $1,030 in checking and $9,194 in savings.
1994: A Truly Novel Affair debuted at the Lakewood Library, with 21 Northwest authors greeting 350 readers and library supporters. Authors signed books, related stories to children, and had lively conversations.
1996: “$50,000 for 50 Years of Reading” fundraising campaign to celebrate the Pierce County Library’s 50th Anniversary.
1997: With help from the Foundation, the Library was able to serve more patrons with a van purchased, in part from a grant from the Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation.
2000: the Foundation received grants to help launch the Kids Bookmobile, a program where the Library offers its services to kids in low-income neighborhoods who are isolated from the Library because of lack of transportation, time or familiarity with public libraries.
2003: first corporate sponsorships were made available for Summer Reading.
2007: individual donors and private foundations helped launch the new Job + Business Centers, resources and services dedicated computers, staff assistance, and resources to link them to job and education opportunities.
2007 – 2011: successfully conducted the University Place Library Campaign
2012: the Foundation approved $20,000 to launch Block Play (a new early learning program) in seven libraries in partnership with local ECEAPs (Head Start), later expanded to offer public Block Parties in every library location.
2015: Foundation support helped “On the Road with Summer Reading”; by the next summer, the library brought Summer Reading activities to 24 sites to reach low-income youth.
2016: introduction of monthly contributions program, now called Subscribers.