This location is in the smaller side. Nice area for kids with blocks, toys, and puzzles. We didn't…read moreend up staying long, the smell inside was bad and 2 grown, homeless men hanging out in the back of the children's section made us a bit uncomfortable.

Nice little library by the Town Center. The staff is very friendly, helpful and patient. There is a…read moredecent selection of children's books as well as multi cultural reads. There are free computers to use as well as a section of computers that are specifically for job seekers. The only thing that dampened my spirit was watching and listening to how impatient the Assistant Branch Manager was with an elderly employee that I'm assuming was new. It made me uncomfortable to watch so I can only imagine how the employee may have felt! Other that, I think that it's a nice neighborhood library and I will continue to patronize it!

Very enthusiastic, sweet and helpful staff members my first day there. They set me up as a member…read moreand explained how it all works along the way and it was a pleasure talking to them. The space is pretty chill and it was surprisingly active in the library compared to the outside when I walked in. It was also Lego day so it was cute seeing all the kids building their legos with their parents.

I visit this library branch for baby story time! Super easy parking and helpful staff. The first…read morevisit I stayed after and got signed up for my library card. Quick, easy and I was on my way!

This DMV/DOL SUX!!!!!…read more One of the BIG difference is the DMV or as Washington State calls it "The Department of Licensing". "DOL" for short. This DOL is crazily mismanaged. They really don't know what they are doing here. So, I'm going to list some things why the DMV/DOL really SUX here: 1. It's called the DOL and not the DMV 2. Registration is half of that of California. 3. Multiple offices in any given town. 4. Wait time is less than 10 minutes. 5. Some offices are open late. 6. Many offices are open on the weekends. 7. Drive thru service is available. 8. Absolutely no forms to fill out. 9. Office people are nice and friendly. 10. If you do not have your renewal notice or registration with you they can look your vehicle up by driver's license. 11. Office staff actually are knowledgeable. 12. Time at the business window is less than 5 minutes. 13. On a good day you can be in and out with in 10 minutes or less. 14. No lines. 15. Absolutely no penalty or fees if your registration renewal is a few days or several years late. As you can see the DMV/DOL is absolutely HORRIBLE here in Washington State. They need to be a proper DMV/DOL where it's fame make it into TV and movies.

Made an appointment on line,which is definitely the way to go.Employee was very…read moreunderstanding,patient and was able to explain things simply.Whole process in renewing my license took an hour.....40 minutes of which was driving there and back,so,a very prompt process.

I'm not sure who is responsible for managing these events, but the situation has become ridiculous…read more Children were running everywhere and cutting in front of others, and there was no effort from the librarian to maintain order. Meanwhile, staff closely monitor parents and children who are simply browsing (security included) while large groups of kids run around causing chaos. Attending events here used to be enjoyable, but that's no longer the case. When regular patrons start leaving because of the disorder, it's something that should be taken seriously.

Nice library. Spacious. Plenty of computers and helpful librarians. Ample parking. Just don't fall…read moreasleep inside or they threaten to have you banned LOL but kinda YIKES!Even if it's a deterrent to keep homeless from going there for naps, that's kind of harsh b/c if you fall asleep in your seat who are you hurting? Most, if not all, of the "customers?" are courteous and follow the rules. It's a clean and quiet enough place. Many bathrooms and event rooms and they often have many interesting events going on. The hours vary but they seem to be open every time I've needed to run in and print or check out a book. Another cool thing is, you can print a certain amount for free, and I'm not talking like 1 or 2 pages, it's a good amount I just can't remember it.

Apparently they don't allow walk ins anymore since the first of June. I was here Tuesday the 7th…read morefor a walk in, they were full and I scheduled for Thursday that week. I show up with my brother who needed a walk in and couldn't get an appointment until the 28th of July, the lady assisting the arrivals proceeded to say that they don't allow walk ins anymore. This was clearly odd seeing as I was here just 2 days ago and they had a very long line of walk in customers. I was called a liar by the lady and this could have been avoided by simply saying she didn't know anything about that but to call me liar just because she works there all day and didn't know I was in a walk in line for 30 min that week is rude and unprofessional. Also they no longer do drivers test here only at Lakewood. I recommend going to a drivers school for your testing as to avoid being booked out a month or more.

It's been a while since I have had to renew my driver's license and as that amount of time has…read morepassed since my last renewal quite a few licensing offices have closed around Tacoma which makes the remaining ones considerably more challenging to navigate. What I mean by this is in reference to this specific location is that parking can be quite a challenge to this small parking lot for the visitor section and a line of people waiting is accumulates extremely fast and as a result the longer the line grows the slower it's going to be. So making an appointment is the way to go here. Definitely plan a considerable amount of time ahead to get to this location in case you make a wrong turn as well as waiting to find a parking place...because you are bound to have to sit in your car until a space opens up...but the best way to avoid all that in addition to the appointment is take the first time slots that are available when you make an appointment online. Depending on the day it's like 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. If you go with the earlier option that's the best because there are already a bunch of people sitting in the lobby ready to start the line. So key things here....1) make an appointment...2) take the earliest time slot (9 a.m. if you can) which will give you a greater likelihood of meeting your appointment and getting your car parked with relative ease. For those who made an appointment the line is much smaller upon opening and if you check in you will get a confirmation number in which it will be called upon. Once you go up to a representative for me at least the process itself was fast. They confirm your residential address, make sure height and weight are accurate, get your picture taken and if need be you take an eye exam...typical stuff as usual with the renewal process there. You get the choice if you want to renew your license for six or eight years. I went with the eight year option as our lives are busy enough and the longer we can have a license and reduce the frequency of the renewal licensing process the better. Once all the usual information and process was done...which was very smooth and efficient it took only about seven minutes for the renewal itself if you don't count the time of waiting for the doors to open to the department (it took an hour from start to finish from leaving home and getting back to home). Another aside at this office is if you are in for a wait and need the restroom you will need a code. Maybe you can get in if someone else enters the code but if not you will need to probably get it from the receptionist.

They have a nice neat library. They have a nice wall of used books for sale. I go there almost once…read morea week. The only problem I've had is if I ask to break a $10 bill to pay for some books they just say no. They don't even try and find some ones among the 10 or so employees. And they don't look busy. (This seems to be the policy at these libraries.) Are they afraid my money might be fake? Not sure.

This library is great, is rather small but has a wonderful selection of books, magazines, movies…read moreand games. They feature a bunch of activities during the month. Like story times, tech help, job club, teen gaming, family game night etc. I totally recommend this library for resources. I gave a minus star because there were plentt of kiddos crying when we visit, so it is hard to enjoy a quiet moment there reading. They do have study rooms and conference rooms but if you need to use their computer then you better bring earphones.

Sorry that Wheelock is still closed for a while, and happy to see that it will be back in business…read morenext month. I've been a fan of this branch since I moved to the area about 7 years ago. Great staff with helpful attitudes, quick responses to requests for information and for guidance on how to navigate the online requests for "holds", etc. Looking forward to seeing and inteacting with them again soon. Thanks, Wheelock, for being there. And Best Wishes on your return in June.

Maybe it is a coastal thing. Maybe it is a Washington thing. I realize full well that I will be…read moregoing through regional culture shock as to things are done coming from Colorado and maybe getting a library card may be one of them. Acquiring library cards seem to be increasingly more complicated to get even back in Colorado. I had library cards in Fort Collins and Denver for a number of years and maybe being a long time holder I might have escaped the complications. When I got a library card in another Colorado town they wanted to see a bill with my address on it. My monthly car insurance bill was good enough. But to get a library card out here in Tacoma it is more difficult. Someone said getting a library card here in Tacoma is harder than applying for a credit card. That is no joke. I have been to two library locations trying to get a card and the library on 7001 6th Ave. I was told to get a library card I had to present a utility bill with my name and address on it. Well, Steven's name is already on that. At this first location I was told that a valid Washington ID and the utility bill was the ONLY way to get a card. I went to this location and the receptionist mentioned that there were a handful of other bills besides the utility bill that they would accept but again I needed a Washington license. Someone said that they had an out of state license and got a library card in Tacoma but they had difficulties but eventually got it by applying for it online. This person was renting out a subleted house so no utility bill was mailed to his name here. So I applied online and have not gotten any response. Not even a "We are sorry. We cannot process your request at this time." And that has been two weeks ago. It is implied that the Seattle library may be just as hard as Tacoma. Is the entire west coast this way? The only way right now I can check out a book from the Tacoma Public Library is to borrow my friend's card. Sorry if that is not proper protocol but I guess you will have to deal with it. So is the entire West Coast this complicated to get a library card? Please let me know fellow Yelpers. I don't often check out books from the library because I am a slow reader and have to return the book before I can finish it. Sometimes though I just want to check out a book and not have to go buy it. Besides checking out books there are other items I like to utilize at libraries...but you need a card. In this day and age where libraries and literary groups are trying to get people to read more and are on a star crossed lover search for the next Harry Potter series to encourage more reading one would think getting a library card would be easier. P.S. I do have bills coming to my present Tacoma address, it is a bill for my phone and car insurance. I am working on getting a Washington state license. By then it may do no good because they will probably run background checks, credit reports and want your annual income in order to check out a book. P.P.S. The receptionist did issue a internet card for me which was a step in the right direction.

Great staff. Lots of tools to choose from and open 3 days a week! Clean place inside the main…read morelibrary downtown. Plus free nails and screws area. (^:

Amazing amazing amazing place! This is a library for tools and there are thousands of different…read morethings you can check out. Definitely worth checking out if you are in need or only need a tool for a one time thing instead of buying it then letting it just sit in your garage forever afterwards. They also provide free home maintenance classes and have "fix-it nights" where you can drop off certain things to be repaired for free. Check out their website for all the information and details!