Multnomah County Library history
Thanks to the support of Multnomah County voters in 2020, Multnomah County Library is making history with major transformations. Learn more about the library’s building projects and explore the library’s history in more detail through the Oregon Encyclopedia’s entry for the Library Association of Portland.
Albina Library history
Located in North Portland in a historically Black neighborhood, Albina Library has been a beloved part of the community.
Local & family history
Dig into the past with resources at the library. Librarians can get you started as you research the history of your family, house or local community.
Troutdale Library history
The 6,000 square foot Troutdale Library building is located in the Cherry Park Market Center. The library opened in 2010 and was constructed with Forest Stewardship Council-certified Douglas fir ceiling and wall panels. It has eco-friendly paint, carpet and furniture, and other sustainable features.
Mark Black History Month 2024 by exploring these titles for young readers focused on African Americans in the arts.
-Alicia T.
Black History Month: "Matriarch" Celebration and Panel
Join us in the Collins Gallery celebrating the exhibit, "Matriarch", curated by local pillar Elijah Hasan. See works by Kathy Pennington, David F. Walker, Sade Duboise, Sunshine Dixon, and Dr. S. Renee Mitchell. Enjoy a panel discussion on the inspiration of the 'Black Matriarchy' with artists whose work is featured in the gallery. Music by Chaz Van Queen and light refreshments will follow.
Made possible by The National Endowment for the Humanities Fund of The Library Foundation.
Central Library history
Portland’s historic Central Library in downtown first opened in September 1913. The original architects were Doyle, Patterson & Beach. Notable features throughout the library include; the bronze tree in the Children’s Library by Dana Lynn Louis and Barbara Eisworth, the black granite grand staircase and the massive light fixture in the second floor by Larry Kirkland, and the John Wilson room.
Research your family history
Research your family history with these popular resources.
Belmont Library history
Belmont Library has served its Southeast Portland neighborhood since 1924, when community leaders raised funds by public subscription. This was the first time in Portland that a community had built its own neighborhood library and presented it to the association debt-free. The original architect was Jamieson Parker Architects.
Northwest Library history
Northwest Library opened in 2001 in a 5,000 square foot space in a historic Northwest Portland building that was previously home to a pharmacy, a potter's workshop, a winery and café. Thanks to the 2020 voter approved library bond, the Multnomah County Library Capital Bond Program purchased a new, permanent site in Northwest Portland for a larger Northwest Library. The library will relocate once renovations are complete.
Rockwood Library history
Rockwood Library has been serving east Multnomah County since its construction in 1963. The original library building was 5,724 square feet. In 1999, the building was renovated and expanded to 6,435 square feet. The original architects were Stewart, Richardson, Allen and McMath.
Art Index Retrospective
Indexes art journals from 1929-1984, in citation-only format.
Gresham Library history
Built in 1990 and renovated in 1998, today's Gresham Library replaced a small brick building that had become far too small for Oregon's fourth largest city.
The library serves residents of Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Corbett and other East County communities. The original architect was SERA Architects P.C.
Hollywood Library history
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.
Midland Library history
Since it opened in 1958, Midland Library has been one of the busiest libraries in Multnomah County. To meet the demand, the building underwent several renovations to expand its space.
Woodstock Library history
The current Woodstock Library building of 7,500 sq. ft. opened in 2000, replacing a smaller library on the same site. The library building received numerous awards for its elegant and functional design, including a national honor from the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association.
North Portland Library history
North Portland Library began as the North Albina Reading Room in 1909. The Jacobethan-style library was built in 1913 and renovated in 1999. The original architect was Joseph Jacobberger and Alfred H. Smith Architects.
Black History Month: Clownin' Around with Nikki Brown Clown
Portland’s favorite clown is back with a storytime that is a culturally creative blend of picture books infused with sounds and activities for all. Participation is encouraged, and all ages are welcome!
History of Kwanzaa at North Portland Library
The North Portland Library has been participating in community-wide Kwanzaa celebrations since 2000. Educator and community leader Joyce Harris has been a staple for Kwanzaa in Portland since the early years of celebrations, dating back to the early 1970s in someone’s home.
Коллекция Black Resources
Black Resources Collection библиотеки округа Малтнома предлагает более 7000 наименований книг, фильмов, периодических изданий, музыки и многого другого, относящихся к жизни афроамериканцев, а также произведения, созданные афроамериканцами и другими авторами африканского происхождения.
Gregory Heights Library history
The first Gregory Heights library opened its doors as a reading room in the 1930s. The current library, renovated in 1998-99, has been serving Northeast Portland in its current location since 1966.
Capitol Hill Library history
Originally opened in 1972, Capitol Hill Library serves the Southwest Portland community. The building is 6,060 square feet, and the original architects were Allen, McMath and Hawkins, A.I.A. More recently, Capitol Hill Library received refresh updates, including fresh paint, new seating and updated technology.
Fairview-Columbia Library history
Opened in 2001, Fairview-Columbia Library serves residents in Fairview, Troutdale, Corbett and other east Multnomah County communities. The building housed the library on the ground floor and four market-rate apartments above. It was Multnomah County’s first mixed-use library building. The architect was Group Mackenzie; Thomas Hacker and Associates, Inc., served as tenant improvement consultant.