Newsroom

Service improvements at your library

Wed, 06/29/2011 - 12:40pm
Multnomah County Library recently implemented several initiatives designed to increase staff efficiency, enhance the security of library materials, and, most importantly, make it even easier for patrons to use the library.

More than 73,000 Multnomah County students kick off 99th annual Summer Reading

Tue, 06/14/2011 - 3:53pm
Beginning June 17, kids of all ages — from birth through grade 12 — can participate in a number of literacy-building activities and earn books, free passes, restaurant coupons, library fine reduction, and other prizes. Anyone not already signed up through school may do so at any neighborhood library.

Multnomah County Library adds over 23,000 streaming nonfiction e-books

Mon, 03/28/2011 - 4:44pm
The library's e-book offerings are now richer by 23,000 titles covering a range of nonfiction interests — from career development to cookbooks to personal finance. There is nothing to check out or download, no expiration date, and no intermediary software required.

Multnomah County Library now offering 24/7 text-a-librarian service

Mon, 02/28/2011 - 8:23am
Whether it’s a research question, a question about library services, or a question related to your library account, the answer is now only as far away as your mobile phone with Multnomah County Library’s new text-a-librarian service.

Free music downloads now available from Multnomah County Library

Mon, 02/14/2011 - 8:50am
Multnomah County Library now offers Freegal Music, a downloadable music service, through the library’s website. Library cardholders need no special software to use the service, and there are no digital rights management restrictions. Downloading of songs is completely free and legal, and all downloads may be kept permanently.

Everybody Reads project featuring Wes Moore launches this weekend

Wed, 12/29/2010 - 12:00am
For the ninth annual installment of Multnomah County Library’s Everybody Reads project, the book selected to prompt meaningful questions and discussions is The Other Wes Moore. This book tells the story of two boys with similar backgrounds but very different destinies. It is an especially powerful story about hope, the influence of family and community, opportunity, and the cultural and societal barriers to success. It is a story that transcends race and will resonate with anyone who is, or has ever been, at a crossroads.

Multnomah County Library switches to Bisphenol A-free receipt paper

Mon, 12/06/2010 - 12:00am
In response to growing public concerns and emerging scientific data, Multnomah County Library is now exclusively using receipt paper that does not contain the chemical Bisphenol A (also known as BPA).

Library Measure 26-114 passes, paving the way for future vote on creation of library district

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 12:00am
The approval of Measure 26-114 today amends the Multnomah County charter to allow the board of county commissioners to refer a measure to a future election so that voters can decide whether to form a library district.

Multnomah County Library circulation breaks records nationwide

Thu, 08/12/2010 - 12:00am
With the highest circulation in its category for the eighth year, Multnomah County Library remains one of the busiest in the United States. Each item is checked out at twice the rate of the national average.

Complete online Oregonian archives now available from Multnomah County Library

Tue, 07/27/2010 - 12:00am
Library patrons can now research, read, save and print any article, editorial, illustration, photograph and advertisement published in any edition of The Oregonian beginning in 1861.

Multnomah County Library seeking participants for StoryCorps visit in August

Thu, 07/08/2010 - 12:00am

PORTLAND, OR – This August 12, 13 and 14, StoryCorps — one of the largest oral history projects in the country — will visit Multnomah County Library's Central Library to record stories from area residents about the intersection of library and community.

Troutdale Library opens July 12

Mon, 06/28/2010 - 12:00am

Grand Opening Celebration will be held July 24

PORTLAND, Ore. – Troutdale Library opens to the public on Monday, July 12. Located in the Cherry Park Market Center at 2451 S.W. Cherry Park Road in Troutdale, the 6,000-square-foot library offers a community meeting room with a 32-person capacity, 16 public computers, spaces for kids and teens, and access to Multnomah County Library’s two million books and other materials.

Multnomah County Library kicks off largest-ever Summer Reading program

Thu, 06/10/2010 - 12:00am

PORTLAND, OR – Next Friday, June 18, Multnomah County Library launches the largest-ever Summer Reading program for Multnomah County. In total, over 60,000 students will sign up for Summer Reading through school promotion in 2010 — twice as many school sign-ups as 2009. The program runs until August 31.

National medal for library service presented to Multnomah County Library

Tue, 02/23/2010 - 12:00am

PORTLAND, OR – Representatives from Multnomah County Library are in Washington, D.C., today to receive the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The annual award, given by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that make extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions.

Multnomah County Library selects new deputy director

Fri, 12/18/2009 - 12:00am

PORTLAND, OR – Effective Jan. 1, Becky Cobb will be the deputy director of Multnomah County Library. Selected after a national search, Cobb will oversee daily operations of the 17-library system with direct management authority for the library’s support services, including budget and finance, human resources, technical services and collection development, facilities and security, and marketing and communications. Cobb has been with Multnomah County Library for 20 years and was most recently the library’s budget and finance manager.

Multnomah County Library receives five star rating again

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:00am

PORTLAND, OR – In its second annual assessment, the national library publication Library Journal has again awarded Multnomah County Library a five star rating — the highest ranking possible.

The LJ Index of Public Library Services ranks libraries based on four per capita output measures: visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use. When compared with other large urban library systems in the U.S., Multnomah County Library was ranked #1 in circulation per capita once again, based on data compiled by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Multnomah County Library receives nation's highest award for community service

Tue, 10/06/2009 - 12:00am

PORTLAND, OR – Multnomah County Library has been named one of 10 recipients of the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor for museums and libraries. The annual award, made by the Institute of Museum and Library Services since 1994, recognizes institutions for outstanding social, educational, environmental or economic contributions to their communities. Multnomah County Library will receive the National Medal at a ceremony held later in Washington, D.C., and a $10,000 award in recognition of its extraordinary contributions.

Vailey Oehlke selected as new Multnomah County library director

Mon, 04/20/2009 - 12:00am

PORTLAND, OR – Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler announced today that Vailey Oehlke, currently deputy director of Multnomah County Library, has been selected as the agency's next director of libraries.

Multnomah County names three Library Director finalists

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 12:00am

The public is invited to a forum April 14 to meet candidates and ask questions

PORTLAND, OR – The Office of Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler has named three finalist candidates for the position of Multnomah County library director. In alphabetical order, the finalists are:

Holly Carroll, currently deputy director, Cleveland Public Library, Ohio
Christian Kruse, currently director, Live Oak Public Libraries, Savannah, Georgia
Vailey Oehlke, currently deputy director, Multnomah County Library

Commissioner McKeel announces her recommendation for new Troutdale Library

Wed, 03/25/2009 - 12:00am

PORTLAND, OR – Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel announced her recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for the site of the new Troutdale Library: the Cherry Park Market site (242nd St. and S.W. Cherry Park Rd.). The siting decision will be made by the Board at the regular Board meeting on April 2.

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