I have been worried that libraries are starting to become a thing of the past for most folks and I have been determined to explore my local library and see what they have to offer. I was absolutely blown away by Oregon City Library. There's a great selection of books including items you can rent out, like a fondue pot or metal detector. There is a seed library as well so you can create a garden! They have adult events as well. I am currently doing the adult 2026 reading challenge and am finding so much joy in reading. This library has many events happening on a consistent basis. The swings and splash pad outside is a nice addition. The staff here are incredibly kind and knowledgeable. read more

See all

I love the Oregon City library! I pop in every once in a while to check out the Lucky Day section, where if you are lucky, you can find popular new releases. It is a great building with lots of space and the employees are friendly. They also have events for adults and kids that you can find on the website. Outside the park area is very nice. I'm glad to have such a nice library in the community. read more

See all

I hadn't been to the library in quite some time to study or check out a book or anything. I needed a place to study for a huge exam and came here. I noticed right away how noisy overall it is. They have tables for studying but the echo in the building is so great that really, really, there's not much quiet. I ended up reserving the huge study room. I really really appreciated the use of it. It made a world of difference. I only wish that there were more rooms. If it had been booked I would have struggled to study. Libraries used to be quiet, but when it matters and you need to focus and plug your ears to study... well it not so quiet . I was really counting on the quiet. Ah well, I was grateful and happy for what I did get. Beautiful space and kind librarians. read more

I have been a lifetime resident of Oregon city. I remember the library when it used to be were Safeway is now. I absolutely love what they have done with the new/old library. I can tell they were very thoughtful preserving this historic building and creating a great space for the community. I attended a free event were they discussed winter gardening. I visited their seed library and explored the study rooms and everything the library had to offer. I was so interested in not only books but baking supplies, snow shoes and even a car diagnostic kit that I spent $30 to get done at a local repair shop. Can't wait to come back. read more

See all

Alright, I keep meaning to write this... so here goes. This library is really great, but honestly the best part is the librarian over in the old Carnegie room. Every single time I get myself stuck with the printer or can't get the Libby app to work, Adam has come to the rescue. I swear, he fixes whatever I mess up and he's always smiling about it too. Never makes you feel dumb for asking. Just today he sat down with my wife and showed her step-by-step what to do. So patient about it. We've been back to see him I don't know how many times now and he never acts like we're bothering him. You can tell Adam was meant to do this job, you know? He's just good with people. So yeah, if you're like me and get confused with the computer stuff, go find Adam. He'll get you sorted out. read more

The library is such a wonderful place and the people are so welcoming. They did a really great job at blending the historic with the modern architecture to make the library easy to use and aesthetically pleasing as well. I feel very lucky to have such a fantastic library with such great staff in my area! read more

Always peaceful and clean inside. Great collection of books. Staff is helpful and always polite

Great library! It's been updated, so the facelift REALLY helps. The outdoor play area for kids is a really nice touch. We love the springy tiles. The kids area is totally bomb: Kitchen and store, well stocked and a table for your tea party too! Lots of kids books and all kinds of electronic media too. Loved the magnetic tile table! Thanks for including plenty of parent and kid friendly seats cuz we are HANGING OUT. read more

One of the more charming libraries in the Clackamas County system. It is located in the Carnegie Center in the historic McLoughlin neighborhood. The library was built in 1912 and the name is due to a grant for construction coming from the Carnegie Foundation. One of hundreds of "Carnegie Libraries" around the country. The building received a facelift in 2001 and is a nice bright space. It also seems small compared to some of the modern structures in neighboring cities. The main floor is contains most of the resources (books, DVDs and books on tape) as well as eight computers in the research room. Downstairs, behind closed doors, is the children's center. Nice that there is some space and separation. My first visit was strategic when my son 'had to have' a particular DVD for a party. I visited several libraries that day (Lake Oswego, West Linn and Wilsonville) and the local copies kept being checked out just prior to our arrival. It was comedic. We finally arrived at Oregon City just a few minutes before they closed for the day and couldn't find it on the shelves. Fortunately the librarian was able to locate the prized DVD in another section. So, I would say it isn't necessarily organized in the most logical way. There is only one self check-out computer and we've had issues using it both times. If you are a local, keep in mind that you don't need to rely on the limited resources in this particular library. Most resources in the Clackamas County system can be reserved on-line and delivered to your local library. If I lived in Oregon City, I would use this functionality a lot, because the selection is superior elsewhere. The commercial arm of the library, Friends of the Library Bookstore, is located just down the street if you are in the mood to purchase, not just borrow. read more

Oregon City Public Library - Old meets new in O.C. - Libraries Near Me - Oregon City, Oregon

Here's a review that actually coincides fairly closely with the visit to the actual Yelp listing. Enter the newly enlarged Oregon City Library in the historic part of Oregon City, up on "the hill" which, in addition to driving, one can get to via the unique municipal elevator as well. By necessity, the parking is on the street and there should be some close by or within a short distance. Clearly, one had to hold off on updating this review, waiting for the expansion to be completed and for the grand opening event. The grand opening took place yesterday, on Saturday, October 15, 2016. I'm not sure if it was actually open for business prior to that, but October 15 is the day I earmarked after speaking to library employees in advance. Because the community room was full with VIPs, relatively speaking, and people more relevant to the project, others could watch on monitors elsewhere throughout the library. I did for a short while but, instead, preferred to look around. I can definitely say that this small municipality needed the library expansion and, with a cramped, old school town sized block, they did a very good job with this addition. The expanded Oregon City Library gets 4 stars from me, largely because it's now a modern and pleasant library, although one that I'm not as likely to patronize because my favorites within my county's system are still the libraries at West Linn and Wilsonville. Nonetheless, Oregon City definitely has a new feather in its cap for the city and area residents. Essentially, the small, older library sort of works like the living room for the expanded library. The first thing one notices is how well this breathes compared to when it had the whole bowl of wax in that smaller building. Here, there are magazines, nice chairs, and, of course, the fireplace. Then, as a person keeps going, there is a neck, where the computers were temporarily placed, that has videos. As a person moves onward, they enter into an atrium that foretells what a simple but effective library this is to navigate. The atrium has the circulation desk, the information desk, a staircase that leads up to the second level, and clearly marked ways to get to some other parts of the first floor. To the left is a large children's area. To the right are the community room, bathrooms, and offices. Going upstairs, one finds adult fiction and nonfiction, reference materials, a reference desk, and the computer area. There are additional rooms and functions upstairs to boot. One can also get there via the elevator. Near the windows, there is seating, and occasional tables, all around. Just as other libraries in the county have these areas near windows overlooking the greenery, the ones here are also great places to read, write, or just sit a spell. Note that, overlooking the atrium, there is also seating with a view ... and plenty of outlets. Library personnel were on hand, seemed to be in a great mood while answering questions about and showcasing their newly expanded facility, and the general vibe here is excellent. read more

See all

SUCH a nice library! Oregon City did an excellent job building the new addition to adjoin the historic part. It's modern, it's clean, it's attractive, staff are friendly, and it just feels like a place where you want to spend some time. I'll definitely be back. read more

I've been a patron of this library for 15 years. While I was in line today, 3 people deep, I was approached by a library worker asking if she could assist. She directed me to the person to whom I needed to talk, to find she was on break. The reference desk was a busy place but quiet... oh, so nicely quiet. I was assisted quickly then wandered about. There's a really nice, small, conspicuous area for New Arrivals. There is a brand new Self checkout machine upstairs. Scan and go! There is a beautiful spray park area and a small playground. The grounds are nicely redone, and the remodel dust long gone. Loved this trip. Well done! read more

See all

I love the location of this library. It sits at the top of the hill and overlooks the city. And it has a second story. Internet is great and staff is friendly. read more

Absolutely blessed to have this library near us. Such a beautiful set up where kids can enjoy and have fun. Outside has a cute little play ground. Everyone has been really helpful and for the most part friendly. Glenna really went out of her way to help us today with our account. Thank you guys! read more

Oregon City Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Oregon City, Oregon

Great spot for all your book and web needs - love the children's area with programs and weekly story time. New build spot with helpful staff - one in particular Nancy is one to measure all others to ! read more

This library is the gem of the city. Architecturally, it is stunning, and functionally it provides all of the services and resources that the community needs in a very convenient location. The staff is helpful and friendly. read more

Beautiful architecture, down to the most minute details. The space is very open and airy, which I like as a change to the library closer to where I live. The staff is very pleasant - I've been acknowledged with a "hello" and a smile a couple times, which is a nice welcoming gesture. Minor downside: because of the open floor plan, you can hear every conversation pretty well, even from the second floor. Might be a bit distracting if you need absolute quiet, but not a big problem for me. I've got my headphones on with peaceful piano music playing! It might be quieter closer to the perimeter of the building. Overall, very impressive library. I'll be coming here more often for a change in study environment. read more

Cute little library! And fun area, right across the street it the local fire station, and the library is this really cool older brick building. read more

First time visit, hoping to relax and study. Nice facility but OMG it is soooo NOISY. Forget about concentrating or enjoying the peace and quiet that the image of a library suggests. Obnoxious kids run all over and up and down the stairs. Even the library assistants are horribly loud. Can't keep an inside voice. Never coming back. read more