Lakewood Community Advisory Committee

Through the years, the Pierce County Library System has taken many steps to repair and maintain the Library’s buildings, including Lakewood and Tillicum Pierce County Libraries, which are both now in critical condition.

• Engineers now project the Lakewood Library building needs approximately $22 million in repairs and replacements, to bring the 59-year-old building up to code for safety with seismic engineering and fire, as well as systems such as mechanical, electrical and plumbing. This September 2022 structural engineering report is more in-depth than a 2021 architects’ building condition assessment that estimated the current building required $10 million-$15 million in repairs for improved safety and access, including replacing the roof, HVAC and plumbing.
• In late 2021, building inspectors examined the now 38-year-old Tillicum Library, and they found significant amounts of water seeping into the building at both the roof and the siding. They also found dilapidated insulation, windows doors and building systems. Overall, they concluded the building is in need of a substantial overhaul.

In the spring of 2022, the Pierce County Library System and the City of Lakewood appointed an Advisory Committee to help determine next steps to best serve residents. The Committee provided the Library System’s Board of Trustees and the Lakewood City Council with its recommendation Nov. 17, 2022 at a joint meeting.

For the Lakewood Library, the community advisory committee’s preference is to keep the library at the same location, building a new library on the current site. If that is not possible, the committee recommends building a new library in an equally accessible location.

For the Tillicum Library, the committee recommended renovating the existing building or rebuilding on the existing site if the property can be acquired. If not, it recommends pursuing a location near the existing library, and if that is not financially or practically feasible, then the committee recommended building on a parcel currently owned by the City.

The Library Board of Trustees will determine next steps.