Get the latest on the Lakewood Pierce County Library.
INTERIM LAKEWOOD LIBRARY
The interim Lakewood Pierce County Library will open to the public on Thursday, Sept. 12 at Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. and Alfaretta St. S.W.
CURRENT LAKEWOOD LIBRARY SERVICES
The Library System is offering pop-up libraries and services with community partners throughout Lakewood. People can check out books, movies and other materials as well as participate in classes and events at the pop-up libraries and community places. Find events throughout Lakewood or attend a story time.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The interim library will allow the public to have the full range of access to library services while a long-term decision about Lakewood and Tillicum Pierce County Library is being determined. A community advisory committee, created by the Library System and the City of Lakewood, reviewed options for how to provide quality library services in the long term for Lakewood and Tillicum. The committee provided its recommendation to the Library’s Board of Trustees and Lakewood City Council at a joint meeting on Nov. 17, 2022. The Board of Trustees is considering next steps for the Lakewood and Tillicum libraries.
LAKEWOOD LIBRARY CLOSURE UPDATES
Lakewood Library on Wildaire Road S.W.
In June 2022, the Library System closed the aging Lakewood Library because it was in critical and unsafe condition and needed significant maintenance and repair.
Engineers now project the building needs approximately $22 million in repairs and replacements, to bring the 59-year-old building up to code for safety with seismic engineering and fire, as well as systems such as mechanical, electrical and plumbing. This September 2022 structural engineering report is more in-depth than a 2021 architects’ building condition assessment that estimated the current building required $10 million-$15 million in repairs for improved safety and access, including replacing the roof, HVAC and plumbing.
Appraisers estimated the value of the current property at $1.5 million.
In September 2022, workers installed tarps where the most significant deterioration on the roof of the current Lakewood Library is located, to prepare for the upcoming rainy season. While tarps cannot completely prevent further water damage, installing tarps is the only option to attempt to reduce further deterioration as the Library System Board of Trustees reviews the Community Advisory Committee’s recommendation about the building long-term.
In consultation with, the City of Lakewood, the Library System installed a temporary fence around the Lakewood Library to further protect the property.
Email Communications
- 09/23/2024 – Welcome to Your Interim Lakewood Pierce County Library
- 09/09/2024 – Interim Lakewood Pierce County Library Opens Sept. 12
- 08/16/2024 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 07/16/2024 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 06/14/2024 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 05/10/2024 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 04/12/2024 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 03/15/2024 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 02/16/2024 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 01/12/2024 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 12/15/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 11/14/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 10/12/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 09/15/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 08/18/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 07/18/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 06/16/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 05/12/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 04/24/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 03/22/2023 – News about your Lakewood Library
- 02/15/2023 – Lakewood Libraries Update
- 01/18/2023 – Lakewood Libraries Update
- 12/05/2022 – Community Advisory Committee recommendations
- 11/09/2022 – Library Board and Lakewood City Council Joint Meeting
- 10/18/2022 – Interim Location for Lakewood Library
- 09/30/2022 – *UPDATED* Community Advisory Committee Meeting Oct. 4
- 09/29/2022 – Community Advisory Committee Meeting Oct. 4
- 09/23/2022 – Board of Trustees Special Meeting Update
- 09/14/2022 – Current Lakewood Library Services
- 08/17/2022 – Complete Lakewood Libraries Community Survey by Friday
- 08/11/2022 – Lakewood Library Buildings – Project Updates
- 08/02/2022 – How Can Your Lakewood Libraries Provide Quality Services?
- 07/26/2022 – Update from Your Pierce County Library
- 05/24/2022 – Lakewood Pierce County Library Update: Building Closing June 5