Central Library (Portland, Oregon)
Central Building, Public Library | |
Portland Historic Landmark[2] | |
Georgian style | |
NRHP reference No. | 79002129[1] |
---|---|
Added to NRHP | June 11, 1979 |
The Central Library is a three-story public library branch in the
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Portland_Library_Association.jpg/220px-Portland_Library_Association.jpg)
The Library Association of Portland was formed in 1864.[4] After going through several locations during the first half-century of existence, the library board decided on a new large main branch for downtown Portland in 1911.[5] The building was designed by architect A. E. Doyle,[6] and opened on September 6, 1913.[7] It was one of the first libraries in the United States to feature an open plan design of the interior.[8] Construction on the building lasted for two years and cost $480,000 to complete.[7] Librarian Mary Frances Isom provided input on the design.[9]
The Central Library was listed on the
Details
Architecturally, the building was designed in the Georgian style.[14] The main staircase at the library has a total of 92 steps.[15] Artwork at the location includes the "Tree of Knowledge" by Dana Louis.[16] The exterior walls are covered with Wilkinson Sandstone.[9] Interior details include extensive use of marble and wood.[17] The branch contains 125,000 square feet (11,600 m2) of space spread over the three floors.[18]
The branch is home to the Beverly Cleary Children's Library and the Henry Failing Art and Music Library.[17] Other features include the Sterling Room for Writers, the Collins Gallery on the third floor, and the John Wilson Room.[17] The first floor houses the U.S. Bank Room, a small conference room available for public use.[19] The library's collections weigh more than 875 tons and take up 17 miles (27 km) of shelf space.[19] A total of 130 computer terminals are available to the public.[19]
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Portland Historic Landmarks Commission (July 2010), Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon (XLS), retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ Library of Congress record notes
- ^ Corning, Howard M. (1989) Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 147–148.
- ^ Gunselman, Cheryl. Pioneering Free Library Service for the City, 1864–1902: The Library Association of Portland and the Portland Public Library. Oregon Historical Quarterly, September 22, 2002. Pg. 320 Vol. 103 No. 3 ISSN 0030-4727
- ^ https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/central_library_multnomah_county_library_/
- ^ a b c d About the library: History. Multnomah County Library. Retrieved on March 13, 2008.
- ^ a b Gragg, Randy. Recycling the Armory. The Oregonian, September 24, 2006.
- ^ a b Norman, James B. (1991). Portland's Architectural Heritage: National Register Properties of the Portland Metropolitan Area. Portland, Or: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 124.
- Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department. July 16, 2007. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
- ^ Nokes, R. Gregory. Seeing past the slump. The Oregonian, November 11, 2001.
- ^ https://www.flickr.com/photos/multnomahcountylibrary/albums/72177720314929906/
- ^ https://www.opb.org/article/2024/02/21/downtown-portlands-central-library-reopens-with-decor-tech-and-restroom-upgrades/
- ^ Gragg, Randy. The Dance of the White Elephant. The Oregonian, September 15, 2002.
- ^ Haight, Abby. Explorer chronicles city's thigh-busting public stairways. The Oregonian, October 12, 2006.
- ^ Graff, Randy. Collecting on the cheap. The Oregonian, June 27, 1997.
- ^ ISBN 0-7627-4189-9. Retrieved on March 13, 2008.
- ^ Carmin, Jim. "Central Library (Multnomah County Library)". Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c Central Library. Multnomah County Library. Retrieved on March 13, 2008.
Further reading
- Ritz, Richard E. (2000). Central Library: Portland's Crown Jewel. Library Foundation. ISBN 0-9674860-0-9.
External links
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