Think MCL

Multnomah County Library’s mission: Empowering our community to learn and create

Multnomah County Library service statement & priorities

Established 2024

Service statement

Multnomah County Library services are designed to realize the library’s mission of “empowering the community to learn and create.” We apply the library’s values in our approach to service delivery.

We offer: 

  • Information services through library spaces, collections, public access computers, public wifi, the library website, and via virtual channels.
  • Programs and activities to foster literacy development and interest, to create awareness of library services or information resources and to provide opportunities for creativity and learning.
  • Staff support for information referral, instruction and assistance in accessing library spaces, technology, collections and use of information sources.

We are committed to centering our services to communities most impacted by systems of oppression.

Equitable service commitment

Multnomah County Library uses the principle of targeted universalism to ensure all community members in Multnomah County are able to receive library services.

This means that library staff will develop strategies to ensure services are responsive to the various needs of the communities being served. This could include, but is not limited to, factors such as cultural responsiveness, language accessibility, physical access, psychological and emotional safety, developmental needs, and trauma-informed practices. 

Service priorities

The library allocates staffing and funding resources to ensure the public can reliably access the four service areas listed below, listed in priority order. Service levels and resources may be adjusted over time, according to priorities. For example, resources may be scaled back from lower priorities, such as programming and activities, to more adequately support higher priorities, such as library spaces.

  1. Library spaces with accompanying collections, technology, and direct customer service.
  2. Information and referral services 
  3. A library website and public access catalog.
  4. Programs and activities that foster literacy development and interest; create awareness of library services or information resources; or that provide opportunities for creativity and learning. Programs and activities include both those coordinated by staff but presented by an external partner, and those offered directly by library staff. 

Service categories

The following section further defines the library service offerings, activities, and outcomes. All services delivered or coordinated by library employees must fit into these categories. The library prioritizes services delivered at a library location. Services may be identified to be delivered in the community to equitably serve communities with significant barriers to accessing library spaces. Multnomah County Library will prioritize delivering services that are unique to the library and not otherwise provided in the community. For services already provided in the community, Multnomah County Library will prioritize partnerships that can bring that service to library spaces.

Library staff provide the service, as well as the infrastructure, systems and internal services required to support the delivery of library services. All staff positions must connect to the delivery of these services.

  • Furniture and open spaces that allow people to sit, read and connect with others.
  • Public meeting rooms for individual and group use, to hold public meetings and events for learning, civic engagement, connection and information exchange.
  • Teen spaces that provide teen focused elements for reading, social-emotional development, learning, information sharing and connection
  • Children’s areas with interactive elements for play, learning, reading, interaction, social-emotional development and connection.
  • Creative learning spaces that provide equipment and technology for creation, learning, connection and social-emotional development.
Collections
  • Print, media and digital collections for adults, teens and children that can be accessed in person at the library or online.
  • Dedicated collections for distribution to people in the community who are homebound, institutionally bound or who otherwise are unable to visit a library
Technology
  • Public access computers for internet access, work and life needs, entertainment, connection and learning.
  • Equipment to print, copy, fax and scan.
Public wifi
  • Wifi network for connecting devices to the internet to meet work and life needs, entertainment and to facilitate connection and learning.

  • Reference and readers advisory services provided by library staff and through digital tools and services in library spaces, via special events or remotely.
  • Partnerships with local agencies and organizations that provide resources and services to the public in library spaces.
  • Library social media channels provide information to the public about library services and Multnomah County resources.

  • Public website that provides information about and connection to library services and databases; referrals to community resources; library policies, news and governance; readers advisory tools; and access to remote information services through chat and email. 
  • Public access catalog that provides access to the library’s entire collection, including access to digital resources.  

Literacy development and interest
  • Storytimes for young children and caregivers that promote library materials, foster literacy development, social-emotional development and that teach caregivers how to support literacy development for children in their care.
  • Literacy or reading based programs that are staff-led, volunteer or partner based for emerging, new and fluent readers that support literacy development and interest, promote library materials, connection, civic engagement, learning and social-emotional development.
  • Summer Reading program that supports literacy development and reading enjoyment during the summer for children, teens and adults.
Creating awareness of library services or information resources
  • Community-based outreach to promote library services including information resources, to develop positive relationships between the library and community members and to encourage library use. 
  • Library tours or guided visits with community organizations to promote library resources, develop positive relationships between the library and community members and to encourage library use.
  • Clear, accessible materials and information in multiple languages via the library’s website, social media, newsletters, signage and printed material that promotes library services and removes barriers to people accessing them.
Educational opportunities for creativity and learning
  • Technology classes offered in library spaces or through partnerships in the community to teach digital literacy skills.
  • Library staff who are specially trained to teach patrons how to use information tools and resources.   
  • Events, classes and programs provided by paid contractors, partners or volunteers that provide educational opportunities for the public to learn new knowledge, skills, and that celebrate cultures and promote cross-cultural information exchange and learning.

Multnomah County Library Strategic Plan

Creating a better library for all

Multnomah County Library’s 2023-2025 strategic plan is a roadmap for our work. The plan helps to shape our decisions and keeps the library accountable to the community. New spaces and resources require innovative thinking and change.

Multnomah County Library’s focus will be on people and groups that the library has not fully included in the past. The strategic plan makes sure that we are providing for community needs and wants with equity at the center. 

We look forward to welcoming you to your library.

Values — The deeply held beliefs at the heart of the library

  • The library works in relationship and partnership, centering communities furthest from opportunity in order to create equitable access to library resources and information.
  • The library acknowledges and honors the resilience, wisdom and knowledge of our community members and staff most impacted by the living legacy of racism and oppression. The collective wisdom of these communities is at the heart of the library's journey toward a more equitable library system.
  • To facilitate and inspire learning, the library invests in specialized, culturally and linguistically relevant expertise and support to build active, trusting relationships with learners of all ages, from birth through adulthood.
  • The library serves as a leading advocate for reading in Multnomah County, centering communities that experience the greatest barriers in literacy support, in order to support lifelong learning for the entire community.

Goals — What we want to accomplish with focused effort 

The library will:

  • Create public, popular, and personal opportunities and access to life-long learning and contribute to improved learning outcomes for all communities. 
  • Adapt library services and materials so the organization can grow with, and be responsive to, our shared communities.
  • Help people access and learn to use computers, internet and other technology to remove digital barriers.
  • Create welcoming spaces that reflect our diverse and multicultural community. 
  • Support the practice of democracy and self-determination with services, spaces and resources.
  • Ensure positive experiences for community members with library staff, spaces, materials, and services.
  • Collaborate with communities to create flexible buildings and spaces that can adapt to the changes in community needs and hopes.