Category Archives: Books (Libraries and Bookstores)

libraries, bookstores

Little Free Library #2321, Tacoma

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Tacoma has two little free libraries which are part of the Little Free Library Project. http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/.

This “Little Free Library” is located at 4617 North 10th Street, Tacoma, WA. It is a darling blue box with a white door and a wine cork handle. Inside there are about a dozen books and of the few that I had previously read they are good quality reads. It is part of a community movement which offers free books. Per the Wikipedia article, there are currently over 200 of these libraries. There are building plans to create the containers or participate may design their own. Each of the libraries is registered and can be located by their GPS coordinates. Per the website:

Our Mission

  • To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.
  • To build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations
  • To build more than 2,510 libraries around the world – more than Andrew Carnegie–and then more.

 

Tacoma Community College Library

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Yesterday I had a meeting at Tacoma Community College (TCC) and while there I stopped at the library. It had a wonderful, comfortable ambiance with plenty of study carrels, tables and of course resources.

http://www.tacomacc.edu/library/

Need a book?

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Need a book? by Gexydaf

Friday I went off to the Scholastic Books warehouse at 9631 Lathrop Industrial Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98512. I was on a mission to purchase books for two school libraries. Scholastic books is the largest children’s book seller in the world and there warehouse is only open to school employees and book fair volunteers. While the shopping itself can be a little overwhelming (so many books and people), the people are wonderful.

http://store.scholastic.com

While I was there I picked up ten copies of the new Wimpy Kid book (5 per school) because yes, it is just that popular!

http://store.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_Diary+of+a+Wimpy+Kid+6%3A+Cabin+Fever_51022_-1_10052_10051

 

UP Library

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Today I finally went to the new Pierce County Library at 3609 Market Place W. University Place, WA 98466. What a welcoming library it is! It is, the layout is open with lovely light (on a rainy day). I’m not use to self checkout, but it was so easy to grab the book I had on hold and scan away. I especially like how the space flows into the entry area. Based on the number of patrons, other folks are also enjoying the space.

http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/branches/west-county-branches/university-place/new-university-place/Default.htm

 

Barnes and Noble in Lakewood

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Barnes and Noble in Lakewood by Gexydaf

My dear husband bought himself a Nook and this evening we went for Nook training at the Lakewood Barnes & Noble. No, really. It is a darling little machine and the training was good. While I enjoy print books, I have no problem with ebooks and appreciate that I can order most books and have them in hand (as it were) in the matter of minutes. And I love that I can save space and perhaps even let some of my secondary books move on to a new home.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

 

Moore Branch Tacoma Public Library

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Today I ran into the Grace R. Moore Branch of Tacoma Public Library at 215 South 56th Street to pick up a book (Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses). The library’s webpage says “Coming to the pioneering community of Tacoma in 1884, Grace Moore missed the easy access to books she enjoyed in her native San Francisco. In 1886, Mrs. Moore led a group of 18 women to organize a circulating library in her South Tacoma home. The club’s charter members donated their personal collections of books and patrons paid 25 cents for the privilege of borrowing from the Puget Sound area’s first circulating library. Bachelors, wishing to use the home as a quiet place to read, paid 50 cents.” http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/Page.aspx?nid=55

The top photo was taken in October 2008 and the lower photos today.

Tacoma Wayzgoose

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IMG_0255.JPG

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

Today dear husband and I went off to Wayzgoose Letterpress and Book Arts Extravaganza at King’s Books. The place was packed! I loved walking through the store and visiting each book. Such creativity!

http://www.kingsbookstore.com/

Inspiration at Tacoma Public Library

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 Today dear daughter and I went to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch to hear William Kamkwamba who co-wrote the incredible book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope). Both of us had enjoyed the book, finding it uplifting. William, a young man of 23, is inspirational. More about the Tacoma Reads program here.

http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/Page.aspx?hid=239

It was the first time that I had been in a Tacoma Public Library on a Sunday and it felt good to see all the people there. The history of the library can be found here.

http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/page.aspx?hid=42

Currently in the gallery of the library there is an exhibit of art tiles, old and new, that is well worth seeing. That link can be found here http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/Page.aspx?nid=64

Borders Books in Tacoma

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I really debated using Borders Books in Tacoma as one of my new places of the day. But today I stopped in to say goodbye. This is the closest bookstore to my house and my family has spent hours here. Its practically a family tradition to go on a rainy Sunday for a cup of coffee and to read the magazines in the cafe. And of course, we’d always end up with a book or two. I’m pretty sure my daughter has never walked out of the store without a book!

But our Borders, which is almost always busy, is closing no later than the end of May. The cafe is closed, items are heavily discounted and some of the shelves are pretty empty. The GIg Harbor and Federal Way Borders are also closing with only Puyallup Borders to remain open in Pierce Co. Across the country Borders is closing 200 of its 643 locations as part of a bankruptcy reorganization.

So, goodbye Tacoma Borders. We’ll miss you.

Powell’s City of Books

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With word that Borders Books is restructuring and one of my favorite smaller Seattle bookstores is closing, I wasn’t sure what to expect during my visit to Powell’s City of Books in Portland. I was pleased to see that it was very, very busy! Everywhere I looked there were folks perusing books.

Powell’s main store is located at 1005 W Burnside, Portland OR and is one of the world’s largest bookstores. The building contains 73,000 square feet of retail space and more than 3,000 people visit day. Their stores feature more than 1.5 million books, of which 65% are used (they buy 5,000 used books each day).

http://www.powells.com/