About the Library > Library fact sheet
Library fact sheet
Background
Multnomah County Library is the oldest public library west of the Mississippi, with a history that reaches back to 1864. Today, Central Library and 18 other neighborhood libraries make up a library system that houses a collection of two million books and other library materials. As Oregon's largest public library, Multnomah County Library serves nearly one-fifth of the state's population.
Current data
Multnomah County residents USE their library. In 2010-2011, they checked out or renewed an average of 32.8 items per person. Among U.S. libraries serving fewer than 1 million residents, Multnomah County Library ranks No. 1 in annual circulation of books and other materials, according to the Public Library Association's 2011 Statistical Report (which reflects data from 2009-2010).
In 2010-2011, Multnomah County Library customers checked out or renewed 32.8 million items. Circulation of books, compact discs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, videos and other library materials increased 5.4 percent. Library staff filled 2.7 million holds and answered 826,444 reference questions.
The library is visited online and in person more than 35,000 times each day -- more than 12.6 million times a year.
More than 98,000 children participated in the library's countywide 2011 Summer Reading program. Other library programming, targeted to all age groups, from infants to elders, reaches an annual audience of nearly 300,000.
In 2010-2011, volunteers donated more than 70,000 hours of their time to the library, the equivalent of 8,785 eight-hour days.
