Multnomah County Library - Hillsdale — Attraction in Portland

At first glance you go wow! It's like Frank Lloyd Wright's Johnson Wax meets the Acropolis. Sadly, the day I visited I found it's interior unusable! I was looking for a quiet place to study but found nothing! I seemed half the library was being run like a Montessori school, Lot's of kids talking loudly and permissive parents oblivious to the fact they were in a library. Still, looked around and could find no place to sit except at a communal table with bright, harsh sunlight and a lot of heat gain. I saw several small private rooms empty (no windows) but a sign said to ask for permission to use them. When I did, the librarian checked the log and told me they were reserved! WTH. I took my reading material out of the main space to a grand stairway that offered relief from the harsh sunlight. It was much cooler and there were benches. Thinking I'd found a quiet, cool place to study I soon realized the glass interior wall didn't go all the way to the ceiling and all the kid noises entered the space and then several patrons entered the space to talk loudly on their cell phones! I left a library, on a sunny, cool day unable to use it!...

As the parent of a three and five year old the space for children was not well thought out. No consideration given to how noise would travel in one big open area. Kids will make noise and should but the design of the space should take that into account. It does not and their sound will travel across the entire library.

Libraries are no longer institutions singularly devoted to silent scholarly pursuits. They are third spaces for people to meet and engage. Yea that means verbally. Looking at certain reviewers. When we visited there was a patron (over 70) shushing the children.

Again, the design is too open. Taller stacks in certain areas would even help. One doesn’t need a perfect sight line across the entire library wherever you stand.

Of course the staff are amazing. They helped get us setup with our Multnomah county cards even though we live in Beaverton. And the parking garage directly beneath was very convenient.

But if you are looking to bring your children for a calming time just know that anything they say above a whisper will be heard by anybody not...

I love reading reviews of this place by people who hate kids, because this place sustained my family spiritually through some tough times. I will forever be grateful to the knowledgeable and gentle staff, who calmly and compassionately dismissed my nervous apologies while they joyfully (and loudly) immersed themselves in their excitement over reading. I will never forget the librarians who kindly read to my kids while I stressed over a resume during a job search. This place is a refuge for the community. I cannot express my appreciation for the team here, or the fantastic library system. The hold system can get you any book you need. I am also grateful for the ongoing investment in virtual materials, which has put a wealth of resources within reach. Thank you, Hillsdale. You have made the neighborhood a better place and improved the lives of my...