Tumwater Timberland Library

Horrible noise from children that are non controlled by their parents. Dozens of toddlers are running all over the adult area. This is despite that 50% of the library space is already dedicated for toddlers/children. The entire library feels like a giant play ground. Non of those children read, they throw huge plastic toys and their incredible noise is literally shaking the building. Their moms are not reading, some breastfeeding, others are just spacing out. The librarians are ignoring the noise. It is impossible to read, study or focus in the Tumwater Library. Very non inclusive for adults. I can see several similar reviews complaining about the noise, I guess I am not alone. It is a general complaint.

Their kids section is next level. My 4 year old says its her favorite library. The study pods are cool.

Tumwater Library is a confused space. If you go in without children you’ll be subjected to the sound of children playing which makes the experience noise-cancelling-headphones-required. On the other hand if you go in with children, you can expect a librarian to ask you to keep your child from treating the library that they turned into a playground as though it is a playground. My daughter is neurodivergent and now that it’s such an excitable space it has become impossible for me to grab her a few books without her wanting to run around. You are expected to either keep 100% supervision in the large space or to have a perfectly behaved child, giving the impression that only more neurotypical kids are welcome in the space. I want to enjoy going to my local library, but it seems somehow the re

Was here and my partner and I seated ourselves in the Quiet Area at the (unbeknownst to us) the "Puzzle Table" . We were not even there three minutes before an elderly woman (as I could observe from a distance) was talking to staff apparently complaining that my partner and I were sitting there. Staff member was indeed curteous and applogetic but the woman had zero consideration and was insistent that she should sit there because it was the puzzle table. We had not realized that if anyone sitting there NOT working on a puzzle was less priority than someone who just walked up and wanted it instead. If that is the snobby accomdation we expect here we will not be returning.

This was such a colorful library. I really enjoyed the decor and the inspirational speech plaster they had posted. The statue is also beautiful, and it stands out from other libraries that I have visited in the past. They also have a scan machine, which not all libraries have, so thats a very big plus!! Lots of books and resources are available. Nice quiet, well-kept library!