UW Tacoma Library Services for Visitors

Visiting the Tacoma Campus

Free Services

Collections – In-library use of most materials
Foundation Center Cooperating Collection – With the support of the United Way of Pierce County, UW Tacoma Library is a Cooperating Collection, which are free funding information centers in libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit resource centers that provide a core collection of Foundation Center publications and a variety of supplementary materials and services in areas useful to grantseekers.

Public Computer Use – Designated public desktop computers are available in the Library for use by the general public. Public users may also request a temporary NetID which grants access to the UW wireless network. To be eligible, the requestor must be affiliated with an institution of higher education or Federal, State, or local government agency.

Media Collection – Only visitors who are currently affiliated with an academic institution may watch videos and use the video equipment without permission. In order to borrow a video and a set of headphones, visitors must leave a valid student, staff, or faculty identification card as collateral at the Circulation Desk. Any visitors who wish to use the Media Collection and are not affiliated with an academic institution may contact Justin Wadland, Head, Media and Visual Resources. All visitors must follow the Video Equipment Policy.

Reference Help – librarians are available to help you in the UW Tacoma library and over the phone. See Library Hours and Contact Information.
Research Databases – a limited number of research workstations provide access to research databases. All users must follow Library Policies. Off-campus access to UW restricted databases and resources is not available to visitors.

Fee-Based Services

These library services require payment of a fee:

Borrowing Books - borrowing privileges are available for:
- Friends of the Libraries scholar level members
- UW Alumni Association members
- Others
Document Delivery - copies of UW materials are available on a cost-recovery basis. We cannot borrow books or obtain documents from other libraries for visitors. See Services and Costs for non-UW Clients for more information.
Printing & Photocopying - self-service printers and copy machines are available.