When Main Library reopens in February 2025, the Northwest Room will introduce a new schedule with appointments and walk-in hours on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and appointment-only hours on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Appointments and walk-ins:
- Tuesday 4 –to 8 p.m.
- Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Appointments only:
- Wednesday 5 - 7 p.m.
- Friday 2 – 5 p.m.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the Northwest Room will provide support in person, via phone, or by email for patrons with appointments as well as walk-ins. Patrons seeking in-depth research can schedule further time with Northwest Room staff on Wednesdays and Fridays. These hours go into effect on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, when Main Library reopens. Patrons can schedule appointments online.
The Northwest Room introduced appointment-based services intermittently from 2020-24 while the Main Library was closed to the public during construction. Appointment-based services are a standard model for archives both locally and nationally as they create better outcomes for patrons and staff.
“When booking appointments, patrons can indicate the topics or collections they’re interested in, which gives staff more time to prepare and retrieve archival materials,” stated Northwest Room and Special Collections Manager Gena Peone. “Patrons, in turn, receive invaluable one-on-one help navigating our collections, databases, and resources.”
When not assisting patrons with research, Northwest Room staff process, digitize, and preserve collections, work on research and curriculum, and conduct outreach opportunities in addition to supporting in-depth research appointments.
The Northwest Room has a goal of making local history more equitable and accessible. Staff work towards this goal both in and out of the Northwest Room, meeting research needs as well as bringing the Northwest Room’s resources to local classrooms and partners.
“We want our community to know that these archives are for everyone and that they are free and publicly accessible,” stated Peone. “It’s important for us to have outreach and educational opportunities to meet our community where they are and to demonstrate the incredible and unique collections that are available to them.”
For more information, visit tacomalibrary.org/northwestroom.
