Lakewood Library Update: What Do You Want In A New Library?

LAKEWOOD, WA — What would you like to see at a new Lakewood library? The community will have an opportunity to share its vision for a brand new Pierce County Library System (PCLS) facility in Lakewood during a weeklong open house in mid-August.

While the current Lakewood and Tillicum Pierce County libraries have served their communities for awhile, well before the city was even incorporated 30 years ago, the aging buildings no longer support the expanding region's needs. Now, with the city's recently adopted Downtown Plan naming library services a priority, a new Lakewood library in the downtown core is in the works.

PCLS is also working with the city of Sumner to replace its aging library. According to PCLS Executive Director Georgia Lomax, both Sumner and Lakewood are in need of updated libraries to accommodate modern features and offerings. To update facilities in both locations, however, would require millions.

"The current libraries are well-loved and well-used and have served the communities well," Lomax said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the aging buildings are underserving the communities, as more people and more services compete for limited space. The libraries were built with the purpose of housing books; today, libraries serve many more competing individual and community needs."

During the second full week in August, PCLS officials will take input from the Lakewood community both online and in-person to learn what the new library should offer.

The Lakewood and Tillicum library open houses will be held at 6300 Wildaire Road S.W. and 14916 Washington Ave. S.W., respectively, from Monday, Aug. 12, through Saturday, Aug. 17.

For more information, including the online survey, visit imagine.pcls.us. Interested community members are also invited to speak with PCLS representatives at the Lakewood Farmers Market on Tuesday, July 23.