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    Oregon City Public Library

    4.5 (19 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:30 pm

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    Amelia R.

    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.

    Old meets new in O.C.
    Jen K.

    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.

    This is the fireplace in the previous remaining older building, now with much more room around it. To the right, one goes into the addition.
    Robert G.

    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.

    Oregon City Public Library remodel
    Robin J.

    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!

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

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    Ask the Community - Oregon City Public Library

    Review Highlights - Oregon City Public Library

    I was absolutely blown away by Oregon City Library.

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    West Linn Public Library - Some programs they offer

    West Linn Public Library

    4.6(11 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    We love going to the West Linn Library. It is one of my daughter's favorite places and we try to go…read moreat least once a week. The staff at the West Linn library are top notch- incredibly personable, super friendly, always willing to help and you can just tell they love their jobs. This library always has a welcoming and happy vibe. You can see it is well cared for and this library is always clean. We tend to park in the back since it is closer to their children's area which is downstairs. The adult lucky day (newest books that you can't put on hold and have a 14 day loan timeframe) are upstairs where you also will find the holds. The staff are so helpful with getting holds for you and even go the extra length to find books that are not even in the Clackamas county bandwidth. We have gotten books as far from as Montana when certain books are harder to find. The West Linn library has so many thoughtful touches that makes this place so special. They do scavenger hunts every other month, the tales to tail program, reading summer program (where each child gets to pick out a book to take home that is theirs, complimentary Blazers ticket, etc once they completed the program), curated book lists by grade/reading level, they offer tons of youth activities- in house (especially on days that primary schools have the day off) and take home activities too. They have a community puzzle, normally a survey or a this/that to engage conversation. Their weekly programs like story hour were a staple for our kids when they were younger. I highly recommend checking out this special library and look forward to taking my kids there.

    I'm on a mission to find the best library for remote work in the Portland metro and so far West…read moreLinn is winning. It was very quiet, calm and clean with plenty of seating. There are large windows facing a green space, so lots of natural light as well. As a bonus: if you have a Clackamas County library card, you can take seeds from their community seed bank. The seeds were high quality, well-organized, and many of them were organic.

    Photos
    West Linn Public Library - Children's area- Graphic Novels and DVD's

    Children's area- Graphic Novels and DVD's

    West Linn Public Library - Community Puzzle that is rotated out once completed- Upstairs

    Community Puzzle that is rotated out once completed- Upstairs

    West Linn Public Library - One of the downstairs children's area

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    One of the downstairs children's area

    Gladstone Public Library - Community room

    Gladstone Public Library

    4.2(12 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    I love that they got a new library. I went there to actually study and use a private room. The…read morefirst time was great. I was happy and grateful to get the room. The second time I went there there was no room and nobody was in the community room. I was studying for a huge exam and really needed it to be quiet. I was told I could use the community room. I went there and closed the sliding doors because it made it much quieter. All someone had to do was open it to come in and use it. However, someone who worked there just opened the doors without saying a word to me. I was pretty upset. I asked if he could please keep the doors open but I was told no . I really really needed that time. So I packed up my stuff and left. Libraries aren't really very quiet. They used to be but not anymore. To really study you need a room and even then people talk very loudly right near the door. It is frustrating. The library is beautiful and there librarians overall were very kind and nice. Just not the place at all for studying that's all,

    Very clean and quiet and on the smaller side physically but, they do still have a great little…read morechildren's section and they also have a couple private study rooms open to the public, nice new computers, copy/printers that are always available unlike some places that you're stuck waiting for one to open up. My favorite thing would have to be that they allow members to rent up to 80 items at any given time; movies, books, etc all for 2wks-1month!! ps. becoming a member is super easy. Bring a piece of mail to verify your address and you can rent the max right away otherwise you can use your trial membership card to rent 5 items until you can bring your proof.

    Photos
    Gladstone Public Library - Community room

    Community room

    Gladstone Public Library - Entrance

    Entrance

    Gladstone Public Library - Entrance

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    Entrance

    Ermatinger House

    Ermatinger House

    4.3(3 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    My waif and I were in Portland and my sister took us by this house, and we love historical houses…read more Admission was free and it was cool to see the old furniture and experience the dwelling. We toured it in about 15 minutes and there was a tour going on, but we did not take it. I would have probably done that if this was our planned destination. I believe this is one of the oldest cities in Oregon and it is definitely worth a stop if you have an extra half hour to peruse it.

    After a seven year hiatus, the Francis Ermatinger House is having a grand reopening celebration on…read moreJuly 7th. The house has two important claims to fame: ** site of the coin toss between Lovejoy (Boston) & Pettygrove (Portland) - best two out of three - to make us Portlanders rather than Bostonians. ** it is the oldest home in Oregon City. Yes, older than the McLoughlin and Barclay houses located a few blocks away. All three homes were "saved" from demolition and moved several times before arriving at their present locations. The Ermatinger House is just across from the Oregon City Public Library and next to another historic home, Stevens Crawford House, of a different era. This house was only occupied by the original owners, Francis Ermatinger, chief trader of the Hudson Bay Company, and his young bride, Catherine [1], for only three years before he received a new assignment and moved east. The house and furnishings are spare, but through additional grants, they are hoping to continue to update the museum. Currently there are some furnishings from the period, a replica of the "Portland Penny" used in the coin toss [2], and a book of Mr. Ermatinger's writings. They were asking for voluntary donations during this "soft opening" period but will charge an admission fee once the museum is officially open. I received a lovely tour from one of the volunteers and they have a lot of great activities planned for the grand reopening next week. There will be reenactments of the coin toss by descendants of Pettygrove & Lovejoy, music, and other activities. Coin Toss Brewing up the hill will be debuting a new Ermatinger Ale in honor of the museum. Love the community spirit connecting the present and the past. [1] Married at 18, she was the granddaughter of John McLoughlin's wife, Marguerite. [2] The real Portland Penny is on exhibit in the Oregon Historical Society in Portland.

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    Ermatinger House
    Ermatinger House
    Ermatinger House

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    Oregon City Public Library - libraries - Updated July 2026

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