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The Central Library is a three-story public library branch in the downtown core of Portland, Oregon, United States. Opened in 1913, it serves as the main branch of the
The Library Association of Portland was formed in 1864.Corning, Howard M. (1989) ''Dictionary of Oregon History''. Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 147–148. After going through several locations during the first half-century of existence, the library board decided on a new large main branch for downtown Portland in 1911.Gunselman, Cheryl. Pioneering Free Library Service for the City, 1864–1902: The Library Association of Portland and the Portland Public Library. ''Oregon Historical Quarterly'', September 22, 2002. Pg. 320 Vol. 103 No. 3 ISSN 0030-4727 The building was designed by architect
Multnomah County Library. Retrieved on March 13, 2008. It was one of the first libraries in the United States to feature an open plan design of the interior.Gragg, Randy. Recycling the Armory. '' The Oregonian'', September 24, 2006. Construction on the building lasted for two years and cost $480,000 to complete. Librarian
Insiders' Guide to Portland, Oregon: Including the Metro Area and Vancouver, Washington. Insiders' Guide Series.
Guilford, Conn: Insiders' Guide. p. 141. . Retrieved on March 13, 2008. Other features include the Sterling Room for Writers, the Collins Gallery on the third floor, and the John Wilson Room. The first floor houses the U.S. Bank Room, a small conference room available for public use.
Multnomah County Library. Retrieved on March 13, 2008. The library's collections weigh more than 875 tons and take up of shelf space. A total of 130 computer terminals are available to the public.
"Central Library (Multnomah County Library)"
in '' The Oregon Encyclopedia''
Central Library History
from Multnomah County Library
Emporis listingCentral Library: 100 years in photos
{{Authority control Library buildings completed in 1913 Libraries in Portland, Oregon Multnomah County Library National Register of Historic Places in Portland, Oregon 1913 establishments in Oregon A. E. Doyle buildings Libraries established in 1913 Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in Oregon Southwest Portland, Oregon Portland Historic Landmarks
Multnomah County Library
Multnomah County Library is the public library system serving Portland and Multnomah County, Oregon, United States. A continuation of the Library Association of Portland, established in 1864, the system now has 19 branches offering books, magazine ...
system. In 1979, the Georgian style building was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Central Building, Public Library. The library underwent major structural and interior renovations in the mid 1990s.
History
The Library Association of Portland was formed in 1864.Corning, Howard M. (1989) ''Dictionary of Oregon History''. Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 147–148. After going through several locations during the first half-century of existence, the library board decided on a new large main branch for downtown Portland in 1911.Gunselman, Cheryl. Pioneering Free Library Service for the City, 1864–1902: The Library Association of Portland and the Portland Public Library. ''Oregon Historical Quarterly'', September 22, 2002. Pg. 320 Vol. 103 No. 3 ISSN 0030-4727 The building was designed by architect A. E. Doyle
Albert Ernest Doyle (July 27, 1877 – January 23, 1928) was a prolific architect in the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington. He is most often credited for his works as A.E. Doyle. He opened his own architectural practice in 1907. From ...
, and opened on September 6, 1913.About the library: History.Multnomah County Library. Retrieved on March 13, 2008. It was one of the first libraries in the United States to feature an open plan design of the interior.Gragg, Randy. Recycling the Armory. '' The Oregonian'', September 24, 2006. Construction on the building lasted for two years and cost $480,000 to complete. Librarian
Mary Frances Isom
Mary Frances Isom (February 27, 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee – April 15, 1920 in Portland, Oregon) was a librarian, and one of the founders of the Oregon Library Association, the Pacific Northwest Library Association and the Oregon State Library ...
provided input on the design.Norman, James B.
James Burton Norman Jr. (born 1952) is an American photography, photographer, author, and cultural historian.
Career
As an architectural photographer, he has documented more than 200 of Oregon's historic architectural and engineering resourc ...
(1991). ''Portland's Architectural Heritage: National Register Properties of the Portland Metropolitan Area''. Portland, Or: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 124.
The Central Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Central Building, Public Library on June 11, 1979. On July 1, 1990, the private Library Association of Portland officially transferred ownership of the library to Multnomah County. From 1902 until that date, the association owned the collections and buildings, but the operations were paid for by the local governments. From 1994 to 1997, the entire roof of the building was removed and completely rebuilt, while the interior was partially gutted and extensively restored and renovated. During the remodel, the library collection was moved to the nearby Fifth Avenue Building (the former State Office Building). Library patrons still had access to the collection during the renovation.
Details
Architecturally, the building was designed in the Georgian style. The main staircase at the library has a total of 92 steps. Artwork at the location includes the "Tree of Knowledge" by Dana Louis.Graff, Randy. Collecting on the cheap. '' The Oregonian'', June 27, 1997. The exterior walls are covered with Wilkinson Sandstone. Interior details include extensive use of marble and wood. The branch contains of space spread over the three floors. The branch is home to the Beverly Cleary Children's Library and the Henry Failing Art and Music Library.Dresbeck, Rachel. (2007)Insiders' Guide to Portland, Oregon: Including the Metro Area and Vancouver, Washington. Insiders' Guide Series.
Guilford, Conn: Insiders' Guide. p. 141. . Retrieved on March 13, 2008. Other features include the Sterling Room for Writers, the Collins Gallery on the third floor, and the John Wilson Room. The first floor houses the U.S. Bank Room, a small conference room available for public use.
Multnomah County Library. Retrieved on March 13, 2008. The library's collections weigh more than 875 tons and take up of shelf space. A total of 130 computer terminals are available to the public.
References
Further reading
*External links
"Central Library (Multnomah County Library)"
in '' The Oregon Encyclopedia''
Central Library History
from Multnomah County Library
{{Authority control Library buildings completed in 1913 Libraries in Portland, Oregon Multnomah County Library National Register of Historic Places in Portland, Oregon 1913 establishments in Oregon A. E. Doyle buildings Libraries established in 1913 Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in Oregon Southwest Portland, Oregon Portland Historic Landmarks