Media contacts
Shawn Cunningham, Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
Media inquiries, public records requests
mobile: 503.781.5410 | shawnc@multcolib.org
Liz Sauer, Library Capital Bond Projects Communications Manager
For library bond inquiries
mobile: 971.350.8733 | elizabeths@multcolib.org
Paty Rincón, Bilingual Spanish Communications Coordinator
mobile: 503.956.2636 | patyr@multcolib.org
Media releases
Facts and figures
Multnomah County Library is the oldest public library on the west coast, with a history that dates back to 1864. Today, Central Library and 19 other neighborhood libraries make up a library system that offers more than 2.8 million books and other library materials. As Oregon's largest public library, Multnomah County Library serves nearly one-fifth of the state's population.
Director of Libraries: Vailey Oehlke
Founded in: 1864
Number of libraries: 19
Service area: Multnomah County, including Portland, Fairview, Gresham and Troutdale
Population served: 810,242
Library cardholders: 347,856
In Fiscal Year 2022-2023:
- Multnomah County Library patrons checked out or renewed 16.7 million items. That's an average of 21 items per person.
- Library staff filled more than 1.2 million holds.
- The library was visited online and in person 8.1 million times.
- More than 99,000 children participated in the library's countywide 2022 Summer Reading program.
- In total, virtual and in-person library programming targeted to all age groups, from infants to seniors, reached 79,000. This includes many Black/African American culture; Indigenous culture; and Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese language programs.
National data
Among U.S. libraries serving fewer than one million residents, Multnomah County Library ranks No. 2 in annual circulation of books and other materials, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) FY2021 Public Libraries Survey.
Last updated 11/21/23