Who lived in my house? Find past residents in Portland city directories
City directories are great tools for finding out who lived at a specific address in the past. Learn how to use city directories to find out who lived in houses that were within Portland city limits when they were built. If your house is in Gresham or in unincorporated Multnomah County, read more about using city directories for those communities.
Learn English
Learn English at the library.
Collections
Multnomah County Library provides a variety of physical and digital material to support the informational, educational, and recreational needs of our community. The collection reflects the diverse population of our county.
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.
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
PORTLAND, Ore. — November 6, 2023 — Multnomah County Library invites the community to join in celebrating and honoring Native American Heritage Month.
Gregory Heights closing July 20 for important upgrades as part of Refresh projects
Library will gain new paint, carpeting and furniture
Black Resources Collection
Multnomah County Library’s Black Resource Collection offers a variety of materials that are primarily written by African Diasporic authors. Ranging from the latest fiction title to out-of-print newspapers, this collection also has materials for all ages that focus on the experience of the African Diaspora.
Capitol Hill to close May 17 for vital updates as part of Refresh projects and capital improvements
Library will receive new paint, carpeting and furniture from this work
Capitol Hill closing May 17 for important upgrades as part of Refresh projects
Library will see new paint, carpeting and furniture through this work
PORTLAND, Ore.–April 11, 2023
Microfilm readers
When doing historical or genealogy research, you might find that the document you need is only on microfilm or another microformat.
Interlibrary loan copyright restrictions and guidelines
Multnomah County Library’s interlibrary loan department follows copyright law
Read 4 Life adult summer reading
Summer Reading program for adults
Taxes in 2024: Forms and assistance
The deadline to file federal and state tax returns is Monday April 15. Library staff cannot prepare returns, advise on tax matters, or interpret tax law, but they can help connect you with resources.
Five ways to help your child learn
Five easy, fun activities adults can do with even the youngest kids to help get their brains ready to learn to read and succeed in school later on.
Central Library closing March 11 for major improvements; Albina Library, Isom Operations Center and North Portland Library next up for transformations
Albina and Isom to close March 18 for construction; North Portland to follow, closing April 5 for renovations
Operations Center in East Portland first real estate acquisition for Multnomah County Library Capital Bond Projects
Building will serve as beating heart for library services, pave way for additional bond projects
Hillsdale to close March 3 for important upgrades as part of Refresh projects
PORTLAND, Ore.–February 28, 2024
Hillsdale Library will close to the public on March 3, 2024 to start on a series of bond-funded improvements. Project teams expect the work to last until summer 2024.
Multnomah County Library Selects Award-Winning Architecture Teams for East County Flagship
Architects will bring hyperlocal approach, international acclaim and dynamic community integration to new library
Public meeting rooms policy
Eighteen libraries offer free use of meeting room space for meetings and programs that serve an educational, cultural, civic or recreational purpose. Meetings and programs held in library meeting rooms must be free, open and of potential interest to the general public.
Summer events are shining through at Multnomah County Library
PORTLAND, Ore. — May 30, 2024 — Spend your summer with Multnomah County Library this year at exciting, educational and free events for all ages. Start your June by honoring Juneteenth, celebrating Pride and playing the Summer Reading game. Check out the list of events below to participate.
Welcome back! Central Library reopens with major 21st century improvements
**Press tour: Thursday, February 22 at 2 pm**
Beloved historic building gleams with new carpet, paint, furniture, meeting spaces, restrooms, seating, charging, technology, automation and more
New Holgate Library
A new, larger library, three times the current size at the same location (scheduled to be complete summer 2024)
New Ukrainian library collection
The library is adding a new selection of Ukrainian materials to its collection!