Multnomah County Library – Midland

They were so nice. So helpful. The library is clean big and beautiful. I’m so happy that it is so close.

The book selection is great. We’ve been to story time a couple times with my son and it was great. They make it a lot of fun, and very interactive. My 2 year old son doesn’t even get bored. They also do bubbles before and after which he really loves. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

I really like this place. The staff was very helpful when I wanted to look into either opening a card for
myself or one for the youth I work with. They also have various computer and iPad stations for the kiddos and adults. My youth was very pleased with their book selection and how easy it was for her to be able to use/​sign up for her iPad time. They also had a great Spanish selection which was nice to see. They appear to have plenty of toddler programs as well, and other story times.

This particular branch has a certain charm that makes me feel young. Every time I visit, I feel like I’m 10 again. I love coming here every Sunday. I come here most weeks to volunteer for their Intercambio program. In order to maintain my Spanish-​speaking tongue, I help coordinate the program so that English speakers can learn Spanish from the Spanish speakers and vice versa. It’s a great environment to be in all around.
It’s awesome that the Multnomah County Library creates programs like this to actively help the community be immersed and that there are volunteers that want to be a part of it.
Watching the little kiddos have fun learning and reading is adorable too. They even have story time and everything at this branch! Perfect for families and everyone who want to continue growing!

You rarely have to wait for a computer and this branch is large and nice.

This is the first library I ventured to in all the years I’ve lived here in Portland. Back when there was funding for field trips (gasp) we trekked to this library and learned all about its uses. It’s pretty big although the only downfall is its parking structure. Throughout the years the selection has grown and has really become a center for many community events for the neighborbood.
I love the selection of books, movies, and music readily available. Sure throughout the years, putting stuff on holds has eliminated some of the browsing. It’s easier to check items out with the recent upgrades. The staff is pretty friendly and are always there if I need to find a book that is on hold for me and I’m in a blind mode LOL. Sunday’s have become a habit for me of making my weeky visit to this branch when I do my errands. I have learned of other places to park when special events do take place on the weekends. I’m happy more funding will continue for the library since we have probably the best library system here in the U.S.

Plenty of parking. Great selection of books of all genres. Staff sometimes friendly, sometimes surly. Constant «click click click» of kids flipping through DVD options is annoying. Great asset to our neighborhood. We come here at least 1x month. 2 meeting rooms that your group can reserve for free 1x month. We hold our HOA meetings here.

When I first joined the library system in Portland, I was completely appalled at the limited selection available for perusing. I used to live in Boulder, Colorado, which has an absolutely stunning library that I could get lost in for hours. I then got tipped off to the hold system and I’ve been in love ever since. Why look through some of the titles on the shelf when you can look through all of the titles online, place a request and get an email when your item is ready? The online catalog is so incredibly massive, I find it hard to believe it can fit in all the libraries. I have searched for some random things I was certain they wouldn’t have and lo and behold, there it was. Thanks, library! I love popping in and out of the library just long enough to get what I requested without a hassle. I’ve taken out everything from novels to cookbooks to music, movies, tv shows, everything! I went through a phase last spring where I think I took out almost every single vegan cookbook the library has to offer. Amazing!
I also love the convenience of adding things to my list on the go when people have recommendations for me plus the ability to renew your items up to 50 times (that’s almost three years!) is fantastic. Granted, you can’t renew if there is a wait for the item, which is a bummer when you take out something you haven’t had a chance to finish in three weeks.
If you’re not currently taking advantage of the Portland library system, you are missing out on one of the greatest resources our town has to offer. Seriously, I just pictured you throwing money in a toilet instead of swiping your library card. What a waste. Go to the library!

I was really surprised on my first visit to the Midland library this afternoon. I’ll be honest… the neighborhood doesn’t look very literary. Tucked off on the side of SE 122^nd just south of Stark, the Midland Regional Library shares the area with strip clubs, used car lots, and seedy-​looking strip malls. It doesn’t inspire confidence.
I was first impressed by the full parking lot. Maybe noon on Tuesday is a busy time for libraries, but I had a hard time finding a spot in their lot. I soon saw why, as the place was packed! Looking around it all made sense, as the space is beautiful and modern without being intimidating.
I am used to the main downtown branch of the library, so of course this satellite location didn’t have the massive choices I am accustomed too. However, I was able to find one of the books on my list, so my time was not wasted. And since the library system has a holding and transferring service, if I lived in the area I would use this branch to reserve books and pick them up.
Now that I know there is a library (reasonably) close to my work, I will never go bookless through a lunch again! Thanks, multcolib!