98404 Eastside Little Libraries to host public ribbon-cuttings January 26
In collaboration with the City of Tacoma and other partners, the 98404 Eastside Little Libraries Project – a community-led effort – has brought five new little libraries to Tacoma’s Eastside.
“This community-led effort is one of many that illustrates the strength and passion of Tacoma’s Eastside,” said District 4 Council Member Catherine Ushka. “I am proud to serve this diverse, skilled and creative community.”
98404 Eastside Little Libraries Project will host a series of public ribbon-cutting events on January 26, with attendees asked to arrive by 3 PM at the Evans Family Library (711 E. 35th St. in Tacoma) before traveling, caravan-style, to each of these other Tacoma locations:
Little Blue Box 98404 Free Library
East 49th and G Streets
Hogan Family Community Library
East 58th and K Streets
Cloverdale Park Neighborhood Library
East 57th and S Streets
40th and I Street Children’s Library
East 40th and I Streets
Just the Wright Little Library
Wright Avenue and G Street
At 4 PM, attendees will gather for a final celebration at the home of Nathan and Martha Jones (705 E. Wright Ave. in Tacoma).
“98404 was created to bring literacy, beauty, and community building to the street level,” said project manager and mother, Theresa Evans, who credits strong community support for giving the group’s work momentum. “Shannon King is our lead designer and builder, and local artists Amelia Kaiser, Brandi Torres, Jennifer Chushcoff, Katie Marler, Kwanna Wise, Madeleine McKeown, Martha Bowman help paint boxes. We are also grateful for the many contributions of United Way of Pierce County, the Eastside Neighborhood Advisory Council, Lincoln High School, Lowe’s, McLendon’s, Home Depot, Ace, the Tacoma Tool Library, Sherwin-Williams, Earthwise Architectural Salvage and Tacoma Trophy.”
98404 Little Free Libraries’ locations are managed by individual stewards. Visitors may take a book or donate a book. Books may be shared with other little libraries, or among family and friends, but are not to be resold.
On occasion, locations may offer other “treats” for visitors, such as bookmarks, painted rocks, school supplies and more. More information about this community-led effort is available through Theresa Evans at 98404LFLprojectmanager@gmail.com.
– City of Tacoma
