Many new libraries have opened in the past few years thanks to the 2020 Multnomah County Library Capital Bond. These bright, modern spaces are often busy and full of life. You can find families at storytimes, people gathering for classes, teens playing games, freelancers with lended laptops, and much more. Our libraries aren’t just buildings that house books. They offer a shared space for our community to gather, connect, and thrive.
Free locations like the library are essential. They encourage art, conversation, and community to grow. For example, the expanded Albina Library features public artwork throughout the building, including a mural that spans the entire wall of a large community room. You can also enjoy rotating exhibits on the third floor of Central Library, or find outdoor space to relax and converse at Midland, Albina, or North Portland libraries. Each location holds more delights to explore the longer you linger.
Connect in community rooms
In many of our new libraries, patrons have the opportunity to connect in both public spaces and reservable community rooms. These rooms come in small, medium and large sizes. Depending on the size of room you book, you can host a gathering for friends, book a study session, video call your family, hold an interview, and so much more.
Small and medium community rooms can be reserved online for your own use or private gatherings. Plus, they can be reserved the same day if they’re available! The large rooms can hold 12 or more people. These spaces are meant for meetings and events that are open to all and are for an educational, cultural, civic, or recreational purpose. Because of this, reserving a large community room requires filling out a short application and getting approved before you can use the space.
Libraries are meant to be welcoming to all. Due to this, you don’t need a library card or account to reserve a community room, and all sizes of rooms are completely free to use. It's a requirement of using the space. Staff are able to help people who need support reserving a room — just reach out.
Libraries as a third place
For many, the library has become their preferred “third place.” A third place is an open space that’s separate from home or work, where people can gather informally. Because the library is free and accessible to all, they make the perfect third place for folks in the county.
Library staff are ready at each open to help our patrons navigate through the space however you need. In addition to community rooms and collections, you can find other spaces to enjoy at the library like:
- Sensory rooms at Albina and Midland libraries (and upcoming at East County Library).
- Early learning spaces for families at many libraries.
- Lactation rooms for nursing patrons.
- A reading room at Midland Library.
- Teen rooms and areas at many libraries.
- The Black Cultural Center at North Portland Library.
- The Rockwood Library makerspace.
- The John Wilson Room, also known as the rare book room, with special drop-in hours
Whether you come in to attend an event, grab a book, meet your friend, or charge your phone — Multnomah County Library is here for you. We offer a shared space where people can come together, meet their neighbors, learn something new, and build community together. Make sure to stop by your local library and see how we can help support you and your community today!