St. Johns Library history
Library services in the neighborhood date back to at least 1903, with a deposit station. St. Johns Library opened at its current library location in 1914. The building was designed by architects Folger Johnson and Donald Mayer. St. Johns Library is one of the remaining Carnegie libraries in Oregon.
Juneteenth at the library: History and ways to celebrate with family
The first Juneteenth in Portland was led by Clara Peoples in 1945.
Using maps for house and neighborhood history
Find detailed information about your neighborhood, street or even your house from maps.
Top 5 books about Black Resistance for kids and teens
The 2023 national theme for Black History Month is “Black Resistance,” in recognition of the historic and ongoing oppression that Black and African American people have resisted.
Top 5 teen activities for summer
School is out, and it’s time to soak up the summer at Multnomah County Library. Whether you already have plans this season or not, you’re sure to find something you can participate in at your library.
Black health and wellness
Here is a list of local mental health resources and organizations working to destigmatize Black mental health and provide support to the Black community here in Multnomah County. At the library, we are proud to center resources that help communities thrive and succeed.
Kenton Library history
The Kenton Library building, originally Cyril S. Kenyon Hardware, was constructed in 1951. The library leased the 6,000 sq ft space and began to serve the North Portland neighborhood in March 2010.
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.
Art Full Text
Artículos de revistas del ámbito de las artes visuales, incluyendo la cinematografía. Busque imágenes, información sobre artistas, noticias y comentarios, reseñas de exposiciones, arte contemporáneo e historia del arte a escala mundial.
Art Full Text
Журнальные статьи по изобразительному искусству и кино. Ищите изображения, информацию о художниках, новости и комментарии, обзоры выставок, статьи о современном искусстве и истории искусства в глобальном масштабе.
Get involved in community art!
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.
BlackPast (Website)
A wealth of knowledge on Black history in one central location.
Black history timelines, profiles on Black people contributing to Black history, and full-text speeches and other primary documents dating from 1789-2016.
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.
Illustrated biographies for elementary ages about girls and women who have an impact on our world.
Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) (Website)
Tổ chức Kết nối nguồn thông tin, tài liệu hỗ trợ người cao tuổi và người khuyết tật (The Aging and Disability Resource Connection, ADRC) phục vụ 24 giờ mỗi ngày. ADRC chuẩn bị cho công chúng thông tin, sự trợ giúp, và hướng dẫn trong những vấn đề ảnh hưởng đến người cao tuổi và người khuyết tật không kể đến thu nhập của họ. Gọi ADRC số 503.988.3646. Có thông dịch qua điện thoại nếu cần.
Black community resources
Black Cultural Library Advocates (BCLA) members focus on strengthening the connection between the Black community and Multnomah County Library. BCLA members connect people to services they need through the county or with outside organizations.
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.
Kwanzaa fabric painting now at Portland Art Museum
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.
Erase This! Conversations of Race, Activism, and Zines with Marissa Yang Bertucci
Zines are a crucial piece of the social justice movement, publications that prompt conversations of race, sexuality, and activism. A zine can be anything, about anyone, made with any items available. They are self-published, or by a small publisher, and usually printed in small numbers.
Multnomah County Library and Regional Arts & Culture Council announce community artist as part of diverse work at North Portland Library
Sadé DuBoise will focus on community input as part of artwork for library’s new Black Cultural Center
Suggest a purchase for the Black Resources Collection
Multnomah County Library is community built; it’s your library. What do you want to see in the collection? You can make recommendations of materials the library can purchase to include in the Black Resources Collection and the Black Pacific Northwest Collection.
Multnomah County Library and Regional Arts & Culture Council announce community artists as part of wide-reaching public art commissions
Artists bring community-centered approach to their artwork across libraries
Hillsdale Library history
Though not officially named “Hillsdale” until the 1980s, the Southwest Portland neighborhood library had been serving residents in the area for decades prior. The current building holds LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, with some of the materials coming from local manufacturers. The building was designed by Thomas Hacker and Associates Architects, Inc.
Holgate Library history
Add summaryHolgate Library opened in its current location in 1971, replacing the Arleta and Lents branch libraries, which had been serving this region of Southeast Portland since the early 1900s. The library was renovated in 2000. In 2020, Multnomah County voters approved a capitol bond project to build and modernize library buildings. Holgate Library is being rebuilt on its current site. The new Holgate Library will reopen in 2024.