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Multnomah County Library - Woodstock
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tue-Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thu-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
5 reviews for Multnomah County Library - Woodstock
Bookworms rejoice!
I've been to several of Portland's libraries, and this is one of my favorites. It's not enormous, but it does have a good selection of books, movies, videos, tapes on CD, music CDs... And if they don't physically have it at this branch, you can easily put it on hold and expect to be able to pick it up within a couple of weeks.
The people at the information desk can generally steer inquiring patrons in the right direction. The librarians are almost ridiculously friendly. And even though the shelved movies are generally minimal, the graphic novel section is pretty impressive.
The library itself is simple yet well-kempt. There's a children's section and about eight internet-friendly computers that you can print $0.05 copies off of. I'll admit, I've had to wait about 45 minutes to use the internet, but the fifteen-minute computer is usually a pretty quick option.
And this is Multnomah County, after all. So the library offers a plethora of free community programs. Quickbooks/ Excel training programs, local poetry readings, childrens book readings. It's simply good free community offerings. I'm also a fan of the community board near the entrance, where you'll find ads for things like the Girl's Rock and Roll Camp and Know Your Rights When it Comes to the Police. 'Cuz everyone knows... the library's where all the hoodlums and trouble-makers congregate.
Go, nerd power.
I'm on a mission to visit each library in the city. I can honestly say I've never left a library feeling pushed out; not because anyone was rude but because the library is alive and well with community users. It was hoping and packed. felt like standing room only. The computers had 8+ people on the waiting list with more than an hour wait time. I'm not complaining, I'm just impressed. I thought libraries were a dieing breed; but woodstock library proved me wrong. They are very much alive.
Growing up I lived on the Boulevard. Woodstock, that is. We lived kitty-corner from the Woodstock Branch Library and oh, did we enjoy it! After school days sitting in the library. Study days at the library. Rainy days at the library. The tall dark shelves, the chairs in private corners, the big plate glass windows muffling the traffic on the Boulevard. The librarians watchful eyes--ever vigilant to shush if anyone got too rambuncious. Getting our first library card and carting home our stacks of books. Good times!
The good times continue with a facelift for the library and computer access for the patrons. It's airy, has clean restrooms and they lend CDs and DVDs and offer downloadable MP3s...and oh, yes, lots of books! I stopped buying books about three years ago and always use the library. The parking here is a bit tight but TriMet stops right outside the front door traveling either east or west. It's not as grand as the Central Library downtown but it's very, very nice.
When I lived in Portland, I moved to the SE side of the city, after 18 months spent living in SW Portland. I thought that, overall, SW Portland had more to offer.
One of the best things about SE Portland though, is the Woodstock library branch. Unlike the Central library, the Woodstock branch is cozy, brightly lit, clean, and it's mostly free of the weirdos that haunt the Central library. If you need to use a computer at the Woodstock library, you usually won't have to wait longer than a few minutes. At the Central library, you may wait up to 40 minutes, to use their computers!
I also like the area where the Woodstock library is located. It's in a leafy residential area, which is also adjacent to the neighborhood shopping center. There's a Safeway, with other shops and stores surrounding it, within walking distance to the Woodstock library. There's also a laundromat in that same area. So, you could do your laundry there, then walk down to the Woodstock library to read, while your clothes are drying. Also, there's a couple of bus stops right in front of the Woodstock library. That's great, if you have to rely on public transit.
I highly recommend this library! It has everything the other Portland libraries have, while also being the most pleasant Portland library to visit.
Because you made me feel so shinny and new!!! Ooh. Woodstock's new library seems to be a hidden treasure among Hardware stores and strip malls. I love how welcoming it is inside, with big windows that stream the past couple of days gorgeous sunshine in, and close proximity to a bunch of coffee shops, so if you need a brake from the quiet, you've got a wide range of choices at your fingertips.
