St. Johns Library — Multnomah County Library
🏢 Multnomah County Library · Portland, Oregon
St. Johns Library — Multnomah County Library
St. Johns Library has anchored the northernmost neighborhood of Portland since November 22, 1913, when its Georgian-style building at 7510 N Charleston Avenue opened to the working community that was building the nearby St. Johns Bridge. Designed by Folger Johnson and MacDonald Mayer and expanded in 2024 through the voter-approved capital bond — adding 2,900 square feet, a new sign, artwork, and a refreshed interior — the branch is the library home for a tight-knit neighborhood that once hosted a baby clinic within its walls and has been a community gathering place for more than 110 years.
🕑 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: 7510 N Charleston Avenue, Portland, OR 97203
Phone: (503) 988-5123
Website: multcolib.org
Plus Code: 84QVH6RX+2H (Portland, OR)
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📖 About St. Johns Library — Multnomah County Library
St. Johns Library opened on November 22, 1913, in the St. Johns neighborhood at the northern tip of Portland's peninsula between the Willamette and Columbia rivers. Designed in the Georgian style by Folger Johnson and MacDonald Mayer, the original 5,527-square-foot building served shipyard workers during World War II and housed a neighborhood baby clinic from 1918 through the 1950s. After a 1996 voter bond measure, the branch closed in March 2000 for comprehensive upgrades to plumbing, wiring, and other systems, reopening February 13, 2001, with the floor area expanded to 6,381 square feet and capacity for 25,000 volumes. Self-checkout stations were installed in 2011. In 2024 the branch closed again for an expansion under the 2020 capital bond, adding 2,900 square feet on the existing site along with a new exterior sign, public artwork, and refreshed interior — completing the project in fall 2025. Today St. Johns Library serves a diverse neighborhood with Spanish-language storytimes, Black Family Storytime, public computers, two reservable community rooms, and the full Multnomah County Library digital collection.
⭐ What makes this library special
- A 1913 Georgian-style branch by Folger Johnson & MacDonald Mayer — more than 110 years of service to Portland's northernmost neighborhood
- Expanded in 2024 under the 2020 capital bond, adding 2,900 sq ft, a new exterior sign, and public artwork
- Historically served shipyard workers during World War II and housed a neighborhood baby clinic from 1918 through the 1950s
- Two reservable community rooms (2 people and 28 people) plus sensory accommodation tools for children and teens
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) family storytime and Black Family Storytime among recurring weekly programs
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Multnomah County Library card gives free digital access to thousands of titles and databases — available any time from any device:
📚 Services
- Public computers and accessible computer options, printing, scanning, copying, fax, and free Wi-Fi
- Laptop lending kiosk and Lucky Day collection of popular new releases
- Two reservable community rooms: Small Room 1A (2 people) and Large Room 1C (28 people)
- Sensory accommodation tools, magnifying glasses, and video magnifier (CCTV)
- Spanish-language collection and services
- Holds pickup, book and item returns, and interlibrary loan
- My Discovery Pass — free tickets to Portland Art Museum, Portland Japanese Garden, Portland Center Stage and 20+ cultural venues
- 24/7 online chat with a librarian via Answerland (statewide service)
🎸 Programs
- Book Babies storytime for infants
- Toddler Storytime
- Black Family Storytime
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) family storytime
- Community workshops and cultural events
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Multnomah County Library Branches
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the St. Johns Library building and who designed it?
The St. Johns Library building opened on November 22, 1913, making it over 110 years old. It was designed in the Georgian style by Portland architects Folger Johnson and MacDonald Mayer. The branch has served the St. Johns neighborhood, at the northern tip of the Portland peninsula, continuously since that date.
What happened during the St. Johns Library's 2024 closure?
St. Johns Library closed in 2024 for an expansion funded by the 2020 voter-approved $387 million capital bond. The project added 2,900 square feet to the existing site along with a new exterior sign, public artwork, and a refreshed interior. The renovated branch completed construction in fall 2025.
Does St. Johns Library offer bilingual programs or Spanish-language services?
Yes. St. Johns Library offers a bilingual Spanish/English family storytime, a Spanish-language collection, and Spanish-language services for patrons. The branch also hosts Book Babies, Toddler Storytime, and Black Family Storytime as recurring programs.
What are St. Johns Library's hours and is it open on Sundays?
St. Johns Library is open seven days a week. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday run 10am–6pm; Tuesday and Wednesday run 12pm–8pm; Sunday is 12pm–6pm. Check multcolib.org for holiday closures or temporary schedule changes.
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