John Wilson Special Collections: Must see items
The John Wilson Special Collections is like a time machine for books. Here you can see how books have changed from ancient clay tablets to fancy Bibles and even some of the earliest printed books. Dive into this remarkable collection at Multnomah County Library and explore it for yourself!
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Helping your child through big life transitions
September is back to school month! That means new friends and new adventures. But it’s also a big change and might be the first time your child has been away from family.
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Silks and fabrics in the rare book room
The library is filled with books made of paper, but at Central Library, you can find a few very special items made of fabric. You can see a selection of these in the John Wilson Special Collections room, also known as the rare bookroom.
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Explore the rare book room’s Native American literature collection
Visit the John Wilson Special Collections at Central Library and be awestruck by items from the Native American literature collection.
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Oregon's nine Tribes
Oregon has nine federally recognized Tribes, each which have worked to embrace their cultural practices throughout their communities.
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The library’s Russian language services
The library’s Russian-speaking team serves community members throughout Multnomah County both in and outside of library locations. The team organizes events at the library to bring the community together and share in language and culture.
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The library’s Spanish-speaking team
Spanish-speaking library staff can help you find connections and resources that are applicable to your specific cultural needs.
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Free tutoring and GED support at the library
Whether you have tried to get your GED in the past or you are just starting to look into the possibility of getting yours, Multnomah County Library has resources that can help you, no matter when you are ready.
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Call the library, we can help!
When you call the library, you can place items on hold, get help navigating the website, ask event related questions and more.
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Creating access for self-published authors through The Library Writers Project
Since 2015, MCL has been soliciting submissions of self-published e-books from the community, initially just adult fiction, but expanding to children’s and teen books and memoir in subsequent submissions rounds. Learn more about the Library Writers Project.
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Watch free videos and learn about some new changes in these streaming platform
Kanopy and Hoopla are two free ways that you can watch movies and TV shows online with your library card! If you haven’t used either of these, now is your chance to try. If you have, there are some changes that may help you navigate and enjoy your viewing experience further.
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Albina Library’s relocation history
Albina Library — its past defined by growth-triggering relocation — has a storied history in its current home.
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The 10 most popular books this summer
Escape the ordinary this summer with some of our most recent popular books! Whether you're craving a heart-pounding thriller, a laugh-out-loud romance, or a thought-provoking memoir, this list has something for every taste.
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Library construction in 2024 so far
This year has been busy for your Multnomah County Library system. You’ve seen libraries close for construction, plus new and renovated ones re-open. These are exciting times as each library is updated for you to enjoy.
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Indigenous musicians and performers, come join the Library Music Project!
The Library Music Project is a free online music platform that showcases and shares current local music. As part of a special cycle, we are accepting entries from Indigenous musicians, drummers and singers now through September 1. Enter your music to the Library Music Project.
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Northwest Library breaks ground
A new library is coming to Northwest Portland! The library is moving to a different location, going from a leased space at 2300 NW Thurman to 2030 NW Pettygrove Street. The new location will be around 11,000 square feet, more than twice the size of the current building at 4,700 square feet. The current Northwest Library will stay open during construction to keep serving the community.
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Top 5 teen activities for summer
School is out, and it’s time to soak up the summer at Multnomah County Library. Whether you already have plans this season or not, you’re sure to find something you can participate in at your library.
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Your new Holgate Library is open!
The grand opening of the brand new Holgate Library is July 13! Holgate is the first new, permanent library to open in Multnomah County in more than a decade. It is also the most energy efficient library ever built in Multnomah County.
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Meet Interim Director of Libraries, Annie Lewis!
Multnomah County Library Deputy Director Annie Lewis is temporarily serving as Multnomah County Library Interim Director of Libraries, following the retirement of longtime Director of Libraries Vailey Oehlke.
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Multnomah County Library’s strong foundation
Letter from Vailey Oehlke, Director of Libraries, on her retirement
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Powwow etiquette
Powwows are cultural, family events where all are welcome. Powwows are not spectacles, rather they are community events rooted in Indigenous culture and identity. Indigenous library staff recommend the following ways to respectfully participate in this important tradition.
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Welcome to Rainbow Family Storytime!
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and we are here to help you see yours reflected in books and library services.
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Suggest a purchase for the Black Resources Collection
Multnomah County Library is community built; it’s your library. What do you want to see in the collection? You can make recommendations of materials the library can purchase to include in the Black Resources Collection and the Black Pacific Northwest Collection.
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