About the Pierce County Buildings Index

The Pierce County Buildings Index database is a heavily used resource created and maintained by Brian Kamens of the Northwest Reference staff of the Tacoma Public Library. It covers not just Tacoma, but all of Pierce County, including the often forgotten Key Peninsula. It currently consists of a database of more than 29,000 addresses in Tacoma and Pierce County representing information on historic houses and buildings built from 1883 to 1942. For each address in the database, information is available on the year built, style of construction (where the literature can agree), whether the building has been demolished, and whether it appears on any City, State or National Register of historic places. Further information has been gathered from a wide range of sources. Architects, builders and contractors are listed, when known. Families or companies are listed that may have been housed in the building, and when they occupied the building, tracking changes over time. It may even reveal a murder, suicide, party, wedding, or other event that took place at that address in the past. References to the building in local newspapers or books are indicated, including whether they include illustrations. The appearance in any City Directory is indicated. Some building plans are available in the Tacoma Public Library’s architecture collection, and that information is indicated, as well as the existence of any plans in other institutions, including the extensive Darmer Collection at UW.

The Pierce County Buildings Index is an on-going project. Information gathering started in 1983. The Library continues to add information on existing addresses, as well as research addresses that are not yet part of the database but should be included. The ultimate goal is to index all buildings built in Pierce County before 1950.

The Buildings Index DOES NOT COVER parks, bridges, dams, docks, and other infrastructures.

Contributors

Brian Kamens is the creator of the Pierce County Buildings Index, and Special Collections Associate at the Tacoma Public Library. He has worked in NWR/Special Collections since 1979. Brian set out in 1983 to extract citations about Tacoma’s historic buildings and homes from the rich resources in the NWR collection. From that small beginning has grown a project that seeks to encompass all buildings built before 1950 anywhere in Pierce County. This bold research and recording of primary materials is uncommon among libraries in major cities and illustrates a unique commitment to preserve and document local history. In the process Brian has become a vital member of the local historical community. Without his work there would simply be no Pierce County Buildings Index.

Brenda Gann is currently scanning and indexing photographs as part of a grant project to enhance the Buildings Index with photographs. Starting with the images captured as part of late 1970's Cultural Resources Surveys performed by the City of Tacoma, and then moving through the historic photographs contained in the Tacoma Public Library Photographic Archives, Brenda will add some 6,500 images to the Index.

Anne Heller is the Manager of Technical Services, and is responsible for all original cataloging at TPL. She has been responsible for subject heading quality control and assignment in the Richards images LSTA grant project which is currently underway. She is supervising the project to add photographs to the Buildings Index, as well as performing quality control review and repair on the address information in the Tacoma Public Library General Photographic Archives Collection database. This will allow users of the Buildings Index to check for the existence of any other images in the Library collections that relate to the address record they are looking at via one click. Anne also is helping to document the software used for data entry, testing the web site, and overseeing quality control in the Buildings Index database.

Lare Mischo is the Manager of Automated Systems and has been working in the archives and library automation fields since 1974. He is responsible for the software used in the data entry process and the technical web site and database design.

The staff of the Northwest Room of the Tacoma Public Library have made a significant and continuing contribution to the quality and content of the Buildings Index database. As they encounter Building and Address information in the course of answering reference questions, they are identifying, pulling, noting and compiling additional resources to be incorporated into the Buildings Index. This serendipitous enrichment of the Buildings Index is a valuable component of the process. Special thanks to current and former NWR staff Gary Reese, Bob Schuler, Judith Kipp, and Jean Gillmer. Did I miss anyone?

Partners

This project could not be sustained and enhanced without the dedication of Library staff and the contributions of various partners. In addition to the above individuals who have been essential to this project, the Library needs to recognize various partners who have contributed and continue to contribute to this project. These include:

• in 1999 the project recieved a $50,000 grant as part of the Digital Library Initiative of the Washington State Library using federal funds made available from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Partners in that grant are Tacoma Public Library, the City of Tacoma Historic Preservation Office/Landmarks Preservation Commission, City of Tacoma Neighborhood Councils, and Pierce County Library. This grant supports linking as many as 6,500 photographic images to the address index database, as well as the purchase of a digital camera for recording contemporary views of historic properties.

Copyright

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or any other reproductions of copyrighted materials.

Tacoma Public Library is not responsible for the improper or illegal use of any copies of materials from its collections. It is the user's responsibility to guard against the infringement of rights that may be held by others and for clearing reproduction rights and copyright restrictions. Tacoma Public Library does not claim to control the copyright for all pictorial and textual materials in its collections. Library staff will provide any information available for specific items that it has available to the user in this regard if a specific request is made. The Library provides such information as a service to aid patrons in determining the appropriate use of an item, but that determination ultimately rests with the patron. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials from the Library's collections. Patrons are reminded that these materials are provided by the Tacoma Public Library for non-profit educational, personal or scholarly purposes and that transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright holders.

Issues pertaining to privacy and publicity may arise when a researcher contemplates the use of materials found in library collections. Because two or more people are often involved (photographer and subject) and because of the ease with which images can be reused, photographs represent a type of document in which issues of privacy and publicity emerge with some frequency. Privacy and publicity rights are, of course, distinct from copyright. In addition, while it is true that famous people or public figures who seek recognition have already surrendered some privacy, they may have the right to control the commercial use of their images (likeness, voice, signature, etc.). This principal recognizes that a celebrity's image can be an asset in trade. Users are solely responsible for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining any permissions, and paying any associated fees, which may be necessary for the proposed use.

The Tacoma Public Library is eager to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified so that appropriate information may be provided in the future. It is our policy to respond to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in an appropriate manner under such Act and other applicable intellectual property laws, including the removal or disabling or access to material claimed to be subject of infringing activity. Pursuant to 17 United States Code 512(c)(2) (Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998), the Tacoma Public Library is the designated agent for notice of alleged copyright infringement appearing on our Site. Direct any notices of infringement to:

Tacoma Public Library Attn: NWR - Copyright Questions 1102 Tacoma Avenue South Tacoma, WA 98402 Phone: 253-591-5654 Fax: 253-591-5470 Email: nwr@tacomapubliclibrary.org

To file a notice of infringment with us, you must fulfill the requirements specified in Title II of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. The text of this statute can be found at the U.S. Copyright Office Web Site, http://lcWeb.loc.gov/copyright/.

Conditions of Use

Tacoma Public Library may modify or terminate services from time to time, for any reason, and without notice, without liability to any user or third party. The Library reserves the right to modify the Conditions of Use from time to time without notice. Please review all conditions of use from time to time so that you will be appraised of any changes. The Tacoma Public Library disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, reliability, or operability or availability of information or materials displayed in the Pierce County Buildings Index web site. The Library disclaims any responsibility for the deletion, failure to store, misdelivery, or untimely delivery of any information or materials. The Library disclaims any responsibility for any harm resulting from downloading or accessing any material on the Internet through the Pierce County Buildings Index web site.

The Pierce County Buildings Index search services are provided "as is," with no warranties whatsoever. Tacoma Public Library expressly disclaims to the fullest extent permitted by law all express, implied, and statutory warranties, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement of proprietary rights. Tacoma Public Library disclaims any warranties regarding the security, reliability, timeliness, and performance of the Pierce County Buildings Index search services. Tacoma Public Library disclaims, any warranties for any information or advice obtained through the Pierce County Buildings Index search services. Tacoma Public Library disclaims any warranties for services or goods received through or advertised on the Pierce County Buildings Index search services or received through any links provided by the Pierce County Buildings Index search services, as well as for any information or advice received through any links provided in the Pierce County Buildings Index search services. You understand and agree that you download or otherwise obtain material or data through the use of the Pierce County Buildings Index search services at your own discretion and risk and that you will be solely responsible for any damages to your computer system or loss of data that results in the download of such material or data. Some states or other jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusions may not apply to you. You may also have other rights that vary from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Limitation of liability. Under no circumstances shall Tacoma Public Library be liable to any user on account of that user's use or misuse of or reliance on the Pierce County Buildings Index search services. Arising from any claim relating to this agreement or the subject matter hereof such limitation of liability shall apply to prevent recovery of direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, and punitive damages whether such claim is based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, (even if The Library has been advised of the possibility of such damages). Such limitation of liability shall apply whether the damages arise from use or misuse of and reliance on the Pierce County Buildings Index search services, from inability to use the Pierce County Buildings Index search services, or from the interruption, suspension, or termination of the Pierce County Buildings Index search services (including such damages incurred by third parties). This limitation shall also apply with respect to damages incurred by reason of other services or goods received through or advertised on the Pierce County Buildings Index search services or received through any links provided in the Pierce County Buildings Index search services, as well as by reason of any information or advice received through or advertised on the Pierce County Buildings Index search services or received through any links provided in the Tacoma Public Library search services. This limitation shall also apply, without limitation, to the costs of procurement of substitute goods or services, lost profits, or lost data. Such limitation shall further apply with respect to the performance or non-performance of the Tacoma Public Library search services or any information or merchandise that appears on, or is linked or related in any way to, the Pierce County Buildings Index search services. Such limitation shall apply notwithstanding any failure of essential purpose of any limited remedy and to the fullest extent permitted by law. Some states or other jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. Without limiting the foregoing, under no circumstances shall Tacoma Public Library be held liable for any delay or failure in performance resulting directly or indirectly from acts of nature, forces, or causes beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, internet failures, computer equipment failures, telecommunication equipment failures, other equipment failures, electrical power failures, strikes, labor disputes, riots, insurrections, civil disturbances, shortages of labor or materials, fires, floods, storms, explosions, acts of god, war, governmental actions, orders of domestic or foreign courts or tribunals, non-performance of third parties, or loss of or fluctuations in heat, light, or air conditioning.

Ordering Copies of Photographs

Copies of the photographs displayed in this database are normally available for purchase for non-commercial purposes. Only access-quality browsing images are displayed on this web site. Commercial-quality and high quality scanned images, as well as photographic prints, slides and other formats are available for purchase as allowed under copyright and rights restrictions.

Some photographs in this database are owned by other Libraries or Historical agencies, and the Tacoma Public Library may not be able supply copies or derivative images for those photographs. You must contact the rights holder as indicated in the image detail for current costs and options for purchase, if any. Photographs for which rights have been obtained by the Tacoma Public Library will display the option to print out a Photographic Order form for that photograph. Please fill in the form and note the type of image copy you need and the current cost. No image will be supplied without an accompanying check in US dollars for the full cost. No e-mail orders are accepted. Please make sure you understand the implications of current copyright law.

Requirements

The Pierce County Buildings Index web site requires a browser that supports cookies. Cookies are used to maintain your search progress and if your browser does not support cookies, or you choose to turn off cookies in your browser, the search functions of this index will not work.

Linking to this Database

You may link to our site for noncommercial purposes. Please do not link or shortcut to any other page than the base Pierce County Buildings Index page at "http://search.tpl.lib.wa.us/buildings/" If you link or shortcut (favorites) to any other page there is a good chance that your link will not work the way you expect it to. The index page will continue to work even if the search pages are moved to other servers or locations on the Library web site. No other page is guaranteed to remain available at a specific web address.

Do not frame or otherwise host any portion of the Pierce County Buildings Index within any other web site without written permission in advance from the Tacoma Public Library. You may link to the search page and open it in a new browser window. You may not place any part of the Index or the content of any part of the Index within a frame, page, or portion of a page on any other web site without written permission in advance from the Tacoma Public Library.

Any harvesting of information from this database, either manually or by automated means, for use in other web sites or any other products, is expressly forbidden. The Buildings Index, graphic elements used in the Building Index web site, and the contents of this web site and database are copyright © The Board of Trustees of the Tacoma Public Library.

Privacy Statement

The Tacoma Public Library is committed to protecting the privacy of each Pierce County Buildings Index user.

The Pierce County Buildings Index does not store any personal information about you or your use of this Index. The Library does require you to fill out a form and send it to the Library in order to purchase copies of photographs, or to share information about the database. This information may include your name, address, telephone number and/or e-mail address. We do not sell, share, or otherwise disclose any of your personal information you might supply to us to any third party, except as absolutely necessary to deliver products to you which you have specifically purchased. We will share your name and address only in order to allow photographic studios to produce photographic products which you may order, and to mail those prints or slides to you. They have access to personal information needed to perform their functions, but may not use it for other purposes. We will not make your e-mail address available to other parties. We will not make your telephone number available to other parties.

Personal data you choose to submit is used only for fulfilling orders for photographic products which you have requested, and to reply to you if you choose to share information about any of the photographs or descriptions in this collection. The Tacoma Public Library does not store or use this information for any other purposes.

The information from your order is maintained by the Library as part of its standard financial record. Those materials are open to audit review. Personal information maintained by the Library may be subject to public disclosure pursuant to the Washington State public disclosure statute.

Automatic Information. The Library collects and analyzes some information automatically whenever you use this web site. Examples of the information the Library collects includes the Internet Protocol (IP) address used to connect your computer to the Internet; the computer and connection information such as operating system, platform, browser type and version; and the full Uniform Resource Locators (URL) progression that you use to move around in this web site. This information is used in the aggregate for preparing usage reports, and so that the Library knows how this web site is used, and how it can be improved.

Your Postings to This Site. The Pierce County Buildings Index allows any user to post or tell Library Staff information about any photograph they view. This feature is designed to allow us to identify the unidentified, and to correct inaccuracies introduced either by the original photographer or in Library research about a specific image. By posting any information to this site you give us royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to allow other people to view and use your content, and to use, distribute, display and create derivative works from this content in any and all media, in any manner, in whole or in part, without any restriction or reponsibilities to you.

Problems? Questions?. If you feel that this site is not following our stated policy, or if you have further questions about the Tacoma Public Library Pierce County Buildings Index Privacy Statement please send e-mail to webfoot@tpl.lib.wa.us with the subject "Privacy Statement". Please include an e-mail address or other method for replying to your comments and questions.