Portland Public Library — Attraction in Portland

First the good: This building has a nice facade--the architecture is hard to miss standing right on the main square. It also provides good digital access to a decent range of periodicals and databases via library card. It also has a very nice area and a helpful historian located on the 2nd floor devoted to an excellent collection of city historical records and many interesting photos.

But step through the glass surface further inside the building and get a closer look at an institution that neglects its role in many ways. With extremely limited hours to serve patrons, the PPL has little time for someone who works a day-job, or manages a busy family schedule to navigate through a thin selection of resources, and seems to be whispering a constant "closing soon" softy in your ear. The daytime-only hours have brought about a habit of staff patrolling in a somewhat creepy way, as if deputized for a homeless sweep.

As others in the reviews have pointed out, this library has terrible hours. Many days drawing the blinds at 5PM, and no hours after 6PM (ever), and weekend hours are limited to one day: Saturday. No Sunday hours. Most libraries in cities the size of Portland offer local families and working patrons the benefit of at least one or two late evenings and Sunday hours to browse and enjoy. Not the PPL!

As far as user experience, the reference collection is somewhat anemic, and does not seem to be well curated. There are many shelves of books that are just out of date, triples of random books probably donated and just stuck on shelves, and many reference materials are out of date (like 50+ years out of date). The collection needs a critical eye and is overdue for cleaning and updating. Computer stations are heavily used, but not very well maintained. Many spots have what appear to be temporary or unsafe setups, with extension cords and wires run without much thought. Reading nooks and chairs where visitors and patrons might sit and actually enjoy a book are few (like maybe 8-10 reading chairs total in the main floor stacks). The other seating consists of high-top stations that are just not comfortable for reading or studying anything for more than 10 minutes.

Compared to main branch libraries in other cities the size of Portland, this library falls way short at being a practical place for readers' use and enjoyment, and squeezes people out with limited hours, a lack of seats and work areas, and a perceptible disregard for users' needs. Many basic things languish as an afterthought, and the result is a vibe that comes across unwelcoming and an organization in need of some soul-searching.

2/5. PPL,...

A lot of noise. I went in to study and write a paper for school. I went upstairs to the “quiet” reading area and was very disappointed by the amount of noise coming from downstairs. People who were also trying to study left. There was also an employee who was talking loudly to another about his Aunt and he was constantly using the word fat to describe someone. Not to mention the amount of homeless that were hanging around and making noise in the quiet reading room. I was so disappointed because it really is a...

Library is somewhat new that is good. In the lobby of library, there is A LOT OF Afro-American people. Just seating, and chilling: around 30-40 people. I was somehow surprised a bit since I came for traveling from boston.

Children’s area is pretty good! Librarian in Children’s area is adorable, very nice and polite. There is a lot of kids books and toys to play. Very safe and clean zone. I truly recommend.

Children’s...