Hollywood Library has been serving its Northeast Portland community since 1917, although not always called by the same name nor located in the same spot. In 2002, Hollywood found a new home in a mixed-use, four-story building. This innovative project was the first-of-its-kind collaboration in the Portland area to combine housing with a public library. Thomas Hacker and Associates Architects, Inc. and Sockeye Hollywood L.L.C. worked on the project.
Author Beverly Cleary's books are set in the Hollywood Library neighborhood. A spacious children's area includes a stone wall map of Beverly Cleary landmarks.
Milestones
2020 In November 2020, Multnomah County voters approved a $387 million capital bond to build and transform library buildings across the county. Hollywood Library is selected as one of 11 libraries to receive a refresh.
2002 A “Little Red Wagon Brigade” moved bags of books from the old library to the new one on April 20, the last day of operation in the old building. The new library opened on May 7.
2001 The groundbreaking ceremony for Hollywood Library’s new location occurred April 25.
1999 A study showed that a mixed-use project was possible on the new site.
1998 Multnomah County selected and purchased properties on NE Tillamook Street between NE 40th and 41st Avenues.
1997 and 1998 Multnomah County Library held a series of community meetings to involve citizens in choosing the location for a new library of 13,000 square feet.
1996 After the successful passage of the ballot measure, physical and functional assessments of each branch were performed; the analysis confirmed Hollywood Library’s existing location was too small.
1959 Hollywood Library opened at 3930 NE Hancock St. In June, the Library Association of Portland changed the name of Rose City Park Library to Hollywood Library to be more representative of the neighborhood the library would serve at its new location.
1928 The Rose City Park Library Association deeded the new library to the Library Association of Portland.
1926 The new library, located at 1170 Hancock (later changed to 3930 NE Hancock St.), opened in August 1926. The building was financed by the community and furnished by The Library Association.
1925 Rose City Park Library closed in July 1925, with the hope that the new building would be ready to open later that year.
1924 The Library Association board recommended the purchase of a lot on NE Broadway Avenue, near 42nd Street.
1921 Neighborhood residents lobbied for and raised funds for a new, larger library in the Rose City Park area.
1917 The community lobbied for a library in Rose City Park within easy reach of the residents of Laurelhurst and Beaumont. A leased building at 1236 Sandy Road became home to Rose City Park Library.