Due to the region’s anticipated heat, Pierce County libraries and other facilities are inviting people to stop by and cool off. With temperatures expected to exceed 90 degrees this weekend, these air conditioned facilities can be valuable respites from the heat. Citizens are also encouraged to take advantage of cooler air in other public buildings such as movie theaters, malls and other stores.

Everyone is welcome at the cooling centers. (Please note, no food or beverages will be provided).

In addition, all Lowe’s and Petco locations, and the VCA Pacific Animal Hospital at 10234 Pacific Ave. S. in Tacoma, allow people and their pets to come in and get out of the heat. Pets need to be on a leash or in a crate and owners must provide water if they plan on being in the store for long periods of time.

Locally, the Sumner Library at 1116 Fryar St. and the Bonney Lake Library at 18501 90th St. E. are open until 6 p.m. tonight, Friday and will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 – 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Buckley Library, 123 S. S. River St., is also open until 6 p.m. tonight and will be open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to the heat, the air quality will not be very good this weekend.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency on Friday forecast high levels of ozone pollution (smog) this weekend for the Cascade foothills of King and Pierce counties. For details, visit pscleanair.org