List of Libraries I’ve Visited

February is Library Lovers' Month. I'd like to say that's the reason why I end up going to as many as five libraries in one day but it isn't. My love of them, of books, is pretty much an obsession. And I can't think of a more perfect place to library-hop than in Portland. So, combining it with another passion of mine- listmaking!- here's a list of libraries I've visited since moving to Portland.


Multnomah County Library

“Multnomah County Library is the oldest public library west of the Mississippi, with a history that reaches back to 1864. Today, Central Library and 16 other branches make up the library system.

As Oregon's largest public library, Multnomah County Library serves nearly one-fifth of the state's population with a wide variety of programs and services.”

Aside from Central Library, no other branch in the district really had that “wow” factor. Most of them are very standard structures but, of course, I’m glad they’re able to reach out to people in those parts of the city. What makes some of them worth going to are the surrounding businesses and landmarks. This list is sort of in order by how much I liked that particular branch in descending order. There are a few that I call by different names so don’t rely on that bit of information if you’re planning on going to one of those.

Central Library- Definitely a must see for anyone visiting or living in Portland.
Hillsdale
Midland
Gresham
Hollywood
Sellwood-Moreland
Woodstock
Rockwood
St. Johns
Belmont- a.k.a. Hawthorne branch
North Portland- a.k.a. Killingsworth branch
Northwest- a.k.a. Nob Hill branch
Holgate
Albina
Capitol Hill
Fairview-Columbia
Gregory Heights


Washington County Cooperative Library Services

“The libraries in Washington County work together in a spirit of cooperation that extends beyond local boundaries in order to provide excellent countywide library service to all residents. Meeting the needs of all residents — from large and small cities and the unincorporated area — requires a good deal of give and take on the part of all libraries and their governing bodies, and is accurately reflected in the name, Cooperative Library Services.”

This list of libraries is in descending order from my favorite to the least- not that I can ever actually dislike a library. What I liked about them was how they all seemed to have their own individual character. What I didn’t like about some of them was how out of the way they were. I can’t tell you how many times I got lost.

Tigard Public Library
Tualatin Public Library
Sherwood Public Library
Beaverton City Library
Hillsboro Shute Park Branch
Forest Grove City Library
Hillsboro Main Library
Cornelius Public Library
Cedar Mill Community Library @ Bethany
Cedar Mill Community Library
Garden Home Community Library
West Slope Community Library


Libraries in Clackamas County

“Since 1977, the eleven public libraries of Clackamas County have cooperated in an informal resource and revenue sharing network, named LINCC, which stands for ‘Libraries in Clackamas County’.”

Clackamas County Library- Clackamas Corner branch
Ledding Library of Milwaukie
Clackamas County Library- Oak Lodge branch
Oregon City Public Library
Lake Oswego Public Library
West Linn Public Library
Gladstone Public Library


Others

Portland State University Library- Check out the book benches outside the library!
Portland Art Museum Crumpacker Family Library- Located in the 2nd floor of the Mark Building, I didn't even know it existed until I accidentally stumbled upon it- a.k.a. I got lost.