Cornelius Public Library
🏢 Washington County Cooperative Library Services · Cornelius, Oregon
Cornelius Public Library
Founded in 1912 with a single shelf of books at a local poolroom, Cornelius Public Library has grown into a modern 13,650-square-foot community hub that holds Oregon's largest collection of Spanish-language books at any single public library location in the state.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–8pm |
| Saturday | 1pm–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1370 N Adair St, Cornelius, OR 97113
Phone: (503) 357-4093
Website: corneliusor.gov
Plus Code: 84QRGWCV+9V (Cornelius, OR)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Cornelius Public Library
Cornelius Public Library serves the city of Cornelius, a Washington County community of roughly 25,000 residents in the northern Tualatin Valley. The library traces its roots to 1912, when Mrs. Wilkins registered the first collection — a single shelf — at a local poolroom. The Women's Civic Club then secured dedicated space at the fire station, and by 1914 the city began funding the library through property taxes. Decades of growth led to a milestone in 2019, when the community raised $5.7 million from national and state grants, foundations, and individual donors to open a brand-new 13,650-square-foot facility on the first floor of a three-story mixed-use building that includes 45 affordable senior apartments above. Today the library is a member of Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS), giving cardholders access to every public library in Washington County and a rich suite of digital resources through Libby and Answerland.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Oregon's largest Spanish-language book collection at any single public library location — reflecting Cornelius's vibrant Latino community
- Opened a brand-new 13,650-square-foot building in 2019, funded with $5.7 million raised from grants, foundations, and local donors
- Founded in 1912 — one of Washington County's oldest public libraries, with roots at a single shelf in a neighborhood poolroom
- Part of WCCLS, connecting cardholders to all Washington County public libraries and a shared digital catalog
- Extended evening hours Wednesday through Friday (until 8 pm) plus weekend afternoon hours
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Cornelius cardholders unlock Oregon's full statewide and WCCLS digital collection at no cost:
📚 Services
- Oregon's largest single-location Spanish-language book collection, with bilingual and Spanish-language programs
- Public computers, printing, scanning & free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Interlibrary loan and shared holds across all WCCLS member libraries
- Meeting and study rooms available to community groups
- Downloadable eBooks, audiobooks and streaming media via Libby and hoopla
- Bilingual computer help sessions offered weekly (Wednesdays, 5:30 pm)
🎸 Programs
- Monthly family, teen and adult events in Spanish and bilingual Spanish/English
- Adventure Packs — themed backpacks with books and activities for young readers
- Story times and youth programming
- Summer reading program
- Community technology and digital literacy workshops
📍 Nearby Libraries in Washington County, OR
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Cornelius Public Library have such a large Spanish-language collection?
Cornelius has a large and growing Latino community, and the library has made bilingual service a cornerstone of its mission since a Spanish-language program was introduced in 1984. Today the library holds Oregon's largest collection of Spanish-language books at any single public library location in the state, and many of its programs and events are offered in Spanish or bilingual Spanish/English.
When did the current Cornelius library building open, and how was it funded?
The current 13,650-square-foot library opened in 2019 after the community raised $5.7 million through national and state grants, foundation support, and local donors. The building occupies the first floor of a three-story structure that also includes 45 affordable senior apartments on the upper floors.
Can I use my Cornelius library card at other Washington County libraries?
Yes. Cornelius Public Library is a member of Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS), which connects all public libraries in the county. A WCCLS card works at any member library and gives you access to the shared catalog, interlibrary holds, and digital collections including Libby and hoopla.
What are the latest evening hours at Cornelius Public Library?
The library is open until 8 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Monday and Tuesday hours run 10 am–6 pm, and the library is open Saturday and Sunday 1–5 pm.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
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