Tacoma: Hilltop already has a library

Re: “Event raises awareness of need for library on Hilltop” (TNT, 2-28).

I’m confused by the assertion that Hilltop doesn’t have a library. The Literacy on the Hilltop event demonstrated the opposite.

The Hilltop’s library is the Tacoma Public Library’s downtown branch. TPL has eight branches throughout the city, which is about twice as many as the average library system serving around 200,000 people.

I realize that Hilltop is not a well-defined geographic area, but if we consider 11th and Martin Luther King Way to be its heart, the main library at 11th and Tacoma Avenue is three-tenths of a mile away.

By contrast, the shuttered King branch at South 19th and Cedar streets was nearly two miles from the heart of Hilltop.

I agree that it would be beneficial to build better connections between Hilltop families and library services. More such events at the main branch should follow. An outreach program should also be developed.

Other library systems have traveling distribution services and technology-based centers at schools, community centers and local shopping areas. Such services could reach underserved Eastside neighborhoods as well. Franklin and Lister elementary schools are well-situated to serve communities where branches recently closed.

We have enough traditional branches. Let’s put our resources to more creative and effective uses.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 12:42 PM with the headline "Tacoma: Hilltop already has a library."