Earth Day: Sustainable library spaces and buildings
The library has an active part in supporting a healthy community. One way the library contributes to this effort is by minimizing its impact on the environment. At our libraries, you may notice library operations avoid single-use products or use of unhealthy chemicals, and encourage recycling and minimizing waste.
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A new chapter for Multnomah County Library Director Vailey Oehlke
Vailey Oehlke, Multnomah County’s longtime Director of Libraries, will retire in June after serving as director for the past 15 years.
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Matriarch Exhibition at Central Library: Open now through March 31
Come to Central Library and explore the Collins Gallery exhibition, "Matriarch," located on the third floor.
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Visit the refreshed Central Library!
Central Library, beloved by the community since 1913, is now open with modern enhancements for you to enjoy. This historic building maintains its charm while offering new updates to better serve you. The refreshed Central Library is now brighter and more open, with new modern features for library users.
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Making Black history now
The library’s Black Cultural Library Advocates (BCLA) are staff members focused on strengthening the connection between the Black community and Multnomah County Library.
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10 ways to celebrate Black history at the library
The theme for Black History Month 2024 is “African Americans and the Arts.” Celebrate this year’s theme with these suggestions.
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A new library Operations Center! Plus the library bookstore you’ve been waiting for
The library’s new Operations Center is complete! The building is the first of the library’s capitol building projects, funded by the 2020 voter-approved bond, to open on time and within budget.
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Kwanzaa with the library
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, the library’s Black Cultural Library Advocates (BCLA) hosted the community in a Kwanzaa pre-celebration at the Soul Restoration Center in northeast Portland.
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Get involved in community art! Featuring Crystal Meneses, mosaic mural artist
Local artists and community-inspired artworks are coming to your new libraries! As part of the voter-approved 2020 library building bond, libraries are receiving upgrades and expansions. Local artists are creating unique installations at many of these sites that represent the community’s history, culture and diversity.
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North Portland Library's Kwanzaa painting
North Portland Library has been participating in community-wide Kwanzaa celebrations for decades, hosting art exhibits, book displays and events. Incorporating the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa is “Isis,” a piece of art, created in 1992, by local artist Charlotte Lewis and acquired by Multnomah County Library in 2001.
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Welcome to your new Multnomah County Library website
Multnomah County Library has updated its website with new features and content. This website was a collaborative effort with input from library staff, patrons and community members.
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Tech help at the library
In one-on-one appointments, drop-in sessions, and in-person classes, library staff can help you learn to use technology— from computers and setting up email accounts to phones and e-readers. Tech help is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese.
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Building community at the library
To support Chinese as one of its primary service languages, the library offers a robust Chinese language collection and culturally relevant services and resources.
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Russian book club for kids
The library’s Russian-speaking team hosts a monthly children’s book club for ages 6 to 9. The book club began when Russian-speaking staff noticed a gap between the ages children visit the library for storytimes and the programming available for teens.
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Storytime in and out of the library
The library hosts storytimes in multiple languages including Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Spanish and English. Storytimes are family-friendly library programs, typically for young children birth to age six.
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Linda Meanus: Native American Elder and author
The granddaughter of the Chief of Celilo Falls, Linda Meanus is a beloved Native American Elder from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, an author and educator.
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Multnomah County Library hosts a successful series of Drag Queen Storytimes
Multnomah County Library branches celebrated pride this year with book displays, in-person activities, outreach events, and the special return of its popular Drag Queen Storytime events.
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Iconic East County Library underway
On June 12, 2023, Multnomah County Library held a groundbreaking ceremony for the highly anticipated approximately 95,000+ square foot East County Library in Gresham.
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Read with PRIDE: LGBTQIA2S+ voices and authors
Stories help us understand ourselves and empathize with others. Explore these lists featuring authors and characters who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-spirit and more.
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North Portland Library breaks ground
On May 19, Multnomah County Library broke ground on one of its most historic building projects, North Portland Library.
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Q&A with Nanea Woods, Prose Before Bros book club founder
Nanea Woods was born and raised in Portland, and is the founder of Prose Before Bros, a book club for and by women of color.
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Delta Park Powwow 50th Anniversary
The Indigenous team at the library focuses on connecting with the community. This is the first year the library is tabling at the Delta Park Powwow. The team will be giving away books, helping people get library cards, and creating a bridge between the Native community and the library.
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Juneteenth at the library: History and ways to celebrate with family
The first Juneteenth in Portland was led by Clara Peoples in 1945.
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New library spaces bring together art and community
Multnomah County Library (MCL) and Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) are teaming up to bring artwork to libraries throughout Multnomah County.
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Library teams bring Native author to local teens & families
Multnomah County Library's Indigenous and teen services teams will welcome acclaimed Native author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Mvskoke) to two high schools.
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