Sellwood-Moreland Library

🏢 Multnomah County Library · Portland, Oregon

Sellwood-Moreland Library

Sellwood-Moreland Library dates to 1905, when it opened as the "Sellwood Reading Room" — the first public library facility in Multnomah County outside of downtown Portland. More than a century later, a 2025 bond-funded refresh updated the branch at SE 13th Avenue with new furniture, technology, a teen area, and improved lighting.

📞 (503) 988-5123🌐 multcolib.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 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: 7860 SE 13th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

Phone: (503) 988-5123

Website: multcolib.org

Plus Code: 84QVF89W+3V (Portland, OR)

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📖 About Sellwood-Moreland Library

Sellwood-Moreland Library holds the distinction of being the first public library established in Multnomah County outside of the main downtown branch. It opened in 1905 as the Sellwood Reading Room, funded by books from the Portland Library Association, and expanded to a full branch with 1,000 volumes in 1907. Over the following decades it moved through a series of rented storefronts in the Sellwood neighborhood — including the Reinecke Building at 570 SE Tacoma Ave. (1909) and addresses on SE Nehalem Street in 1915 and 1935 — before a purpose-built 2,204-square-foot building designed by architect Loyal Lang opened at SE Milwaukie Ave. and Lexington in 1965. In 2002 the branch relocated to its current mixed-use home at 7860 SE 13th Avenue. A $387 million county bond approved by voters in 2020 funded the most recent improvements: in 2025 the library received new furniture, technology upgrades, seating, a dedicated teen area, and improved lighting while remaining in the same SE Portland location it has called home since 2002.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Oregon's earliest county branch library outside downtown Portland — the Sellwood Reading Room opened in 1905, predating most MCL branches by years
  • Served the Sellwood-Moreland community for over 120 years through multiple locations before settling at SE 13th Avenue in 2002
  • 1965 building was designed by architect Loyal Lang; current mixed-use facility opened 2002
  • 2025 bond-funded refresh delivered new furniture, technology, seating, a teen area and improved lighting
  • Extended evening hours Tuesday and Wednesday until 8 p.m., plus open every Sunday noon–6 p.m.

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Sellwood-Moreland Library cardholders can borrow, stream, and research for free through Multnomah County Library's digital collection:

&📚 Libby / OverDriveeBooks, audiobooks & magazines — download or read online with your MCL card via libbyapp.com.
&🎧 hooplaInstant access to movies, TV, music, comics & audiobooks — no waitlists, up to 8 items per month.
&🎥 KanopyStream classic, documentary & independent films free — up to 12 tickets per month at multcolib.kanopy.com.
&📚 Libraries of Oregon — Gale DatabasesOregon's statewide database program: peer-reviewed articles, reference eBooks, historical Oregon newspapers & more at galepages.com/oregon_pages.

📚 Services

  • Public computers, printing, copying, scanning & fax
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
  • Holds pickup for items requested online
  • Lucky Day collection — popular titles available without holds
  • Teen area with dedicated space and technology
  • Accessible computer options & sensory accommodation aids
  • Accessible entrance and restrooms

🎸 Programs

  • Book Babies, Tiny Tots & Toddler Storytime
  • Read to the Dogs literacy program
  • Tech help drop-in sessions
  • Author events and community storytimes
  • Summer reading program for all ages

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Sellwood-Moreland Library historically significant within Multnomah County?

When the Sellwood Reading Room opened in 1905 using books donated by the Portland Library Association, it became the first public library facility in Multnomah County outside of the main branch in downtown Portland. It was a pioneering community reading space more than a century before the current branch opened at SE 13th Avenue in 2002.

How many times has the Sellwood-Moreland Library moved?

The library has occupied at least six different locations since 1905, moving through a series of rented storefronts on SE Tacoma, SE Nehalem Street, and SE Milwaukie Avenue before a purpose-built building opened in 1965. The current mixed-use location at 7860 SE 13th Avenue has been its home since 2002.

What improvements did the 2025 renovation bring to Sellwood-Moreland Library?

The 2025 interior refresh — funded by Multnomah County's $387 million 2020 library bond — delivered new furniture, updated technology, fresh seating, improved lighting, and a dedicated teen area. The branch remained at its SE 13th Avenue location throughout.

What are the library's hours, including evenings and weekends?

Sellwood-Moreland Library is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday noon–8 p.m.; and Sunday noon–6 p.m. It is open seven days a week.

🖨 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.

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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.

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