While Pierce County Library buildings are closed due to COVID-19, online services open

PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – While the Pierce County Library System’s buildings are closed, the Library System’s online library is always open. The Library System’s buildings continue to be closed to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) and in compliance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order.

“During this sad and scary time, we want people to know we are here for them to help reduce their stress and bring them some enjoyment, learning and a sense of community. Reading has proven to help decrease stress, and we are all feeling anxiety during this health crisis,” said Pierce County Library Executive Director. “We also have many online resources to help students while they are studying from home.”

As people stay home, stay healthy, please enjoy these amazing free Pierce County Library online services.

For all ages:

• Library card: Get and start using a library card today with access to all online library services.
• E-books, audiobooks, and magazines online: The Library added more choices to reduce the holds queue.
• Online e-sources: Many robust resources from Lynda.com and Universal Class to full newspapers from around the globe. Ancestry Library, which is typically just for in-library use is available from home during this public health crisis.

For young children:

• Tumblebook Library: Online animated, talking picture books.
• Our Community Adventure: Parents are encouraged to download this community scavenger hunt and use while taking walks in their neighborhoods with their children.

Tools for Students as they are in school at home:

• HelpNow: Speak with professional real-time, online tutors and get expert help on essays to calculus.
• Gale Virtual Reference Library: Access hundreds of full-text electronic books covering a wide range of subjects from biography and business to law and literature.
• Gale Biography in Context: Review brief biographies with links to articles in newspapers, magazines and websites.
• Culture Grams: Explore the cultures of hundreds of countries, provinces and states, including famous people and recipes.
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context: Compare opinions, articles and reference materials about controversial topics.
• Science Online from Infobase: Discover experiments, videos, biographies and science research.
• Pronunciator: Learn nearly 90 languages.
• SIRS Discoverer: Access research for middle and elementary students incorporating articles from 1,400+ publications and selected topic websites.
• Booklists: For every grade and accelerated reader lists to help improve student-reading levels – many books are available online.
• Other learning resources: tools.pcls.us.

As this pandemic is a constantly evolving situation, Pierce County Library will continue to adjust and respond quickly. At this time, it is not setting a time period for this temporary closure, or a date when the libraries will reopen.

More information: www.piercecountylibrary.org


Contact: Mary Getchell, Marketing and Communications Director
253-229-4477-mobile


About Pierce County Library System
The nationally acclaimed Pierce County Library System serves 614,000 people throughout Pierce County with 20 libraries and online services. The system is the fourth largest in the state and is funded primarily through property taxes. People may choose from 1.1 million books, movies and other materials, as well as nearly half a million online/downloadable materials. Pierce County Library is committed to directing services in three primary areas: learning, enjoyment and community connection. Its services and programs spark success for Pierce County residents. More than 2 million people visit Pierce County Libraries each year. The Library provides services and programs directly to people in adult care facilities or who are homebound, and to children in child care centers and schools. Pierce County Libraries are located at Anderson Island, Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Gig Harbor, Graham, Key Center, Lakewood, Milton/Edgewood, Orting, Parkland/Spanaway, Pierce County Library Administrative Center, South Hill, Steilacoom, Summit, Sumner, Tillicum and University Place. Pierce County Library is an independent municipal corporation and operates as a junior taxing district.
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