Central Library — Multnomah County Library
🏢 Multnomah County Library · Portland, Oregon
Central Library — Multnomah County Library
Portland's beloved Central Library has served the city since 1913, when the Georgian Revival landmark at 801 SW 10th Avenue opened to hundreds of visitors on September 6 of that year. Designed by Portland architect A. E. Doyle and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, the 125,000-square-foot building houses 17 miles of shelving, the John Wilson Special Collections, a Collins Gallery, and three reservable community rooms — all refreshed through the 2020 capital bond and open every day of the week.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 12pm–6pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 988-5123
Website: multcolib.org
Plus Code: 84QVG898+MP (Portland, OR)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Central Library — Multnomah County Library
Central Library is the flagship of the Multnomah County Library system, which traces its roots to the Mercantile Library Association founded by Leland H. Wakefield in 1864 and the Portland Public Library of 1891 — the two merged in 1902 to form the first free, tax-supported library in Oregon. The current building at 801 SW 10th Avenue opened September 6, 1913, designed in the Georgian Revival style by Albert E. Doyle (Doyle, Patterson & Beach), and was one of the first libraries in the United States to feature an open-plan floor layout. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and celebrated its centennial in 2013. A major structural renovation from 1994 to 1997 moved services temporarily to the TransCentral site on SW Columbia Street; a second refresh completed in 2023–2024 under the voter-approved $387 million capital bond added a new teen space, improved ADA access, new restrooms, updated furniture, terrace space, and refreshed carpeting. Today Central Library holds over 1.9 million items system-wide and offers 130-plus public computers, microfilm readers, three community rooms, the John Wilson Special Collections, a Friends Library Store, and multilingual services in Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1913 Georgian Revival landmark by architect A. E. Doyle, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979
- One of the first open-plan libraries in the United States — 125,000 square feet with 17 miles of shelving
- John Wilson Special Collections and Collins Gallery, plus a Friends Library Store on site
- Three reservable community rooms (two for 50 people each, one for 6) and a new dedicated teen space added 2023–2024
- Open every day of the week, with evening hours until 8pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Every Multnomah County Library card unlocks a full suite of digital content — borrow, stream, and research without leaving home:
📚 Services
- Public computers (130+), printing, scanning, copying, fax, and free Wi-Fi
- Microfilm readers and accessible computer options (JAWS, ZoomText, CCTV magnifier)
- VRI station for American Sign Language and other languages
- John Wilson Special Collections for research and rare materials
- Three reservable community rooms (capacity 6–50 people)
- Lucky Day collection of popular new releases (no holds, first-come)
- Sensory accommodation tools for children and teens
- My Discovery Pass — free tickets to Portland Art Museum, Oregon Jewish Museum, Portland Japanese Garden and 15+ other cultural venues
- Interlibrary loan and home delivery for patrons with mobility limitations
- Multilingual services: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese; Black and Indigenous cultural staff
🎸 Programs
- Toddler playtime and family storytimes
- LEGO club and youth programs
- Tech help sessions and technology instruction
- ESL classes and citizenship preparation
- Library tours and community events
- Adult programs and author talks in the Collins Gallery
📍 Nearby Multnomah County Library Branches
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Portland's Central Library open, and who designed it?
Central Library opened on September 6, 1913, drawing hundreds of visitors on its first day. It was designed by Portland architect Albert E. Doyle of Doyle, Patterson & Beach in the Georgian Revival style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
What are Central Library's hours and is it open on Sundays?
Yes — Central Library is open seven days a week. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday run 10am–6pm; Tuesday and Wednesday run 12pm–8pm; Sunday runs 12pm–6pm. Check multcolib.org for holiday closures.
What is the John Wilson Special Collections at Central Library?
The John Wilson Special Collections is Central Library's rare and distinctive holdings room, preserving unique historical materials and research resources. It is named in honor of a major benefactor and is located within the historic 1913 building.
What is the My Discovery Pass and can I pick one up at Central Library?
My Discovery Pass is a Multnomah County Library program that provides free tickets — typically two admissions per pass — to more than 20 Portland-area cultural venues, including the Portland Art Museum, Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Jewish Museum, Portland Center Stage, and Oregon State Parks day-use permits. Passes are reserved online through your MCL account and are available to all cardholders.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.