L is for libraries and lights (Portlandia from A to Z)

Libraries

Portland's Central Library

Another reason to love Portland? Its libraries!

Children's section

The Multnomah County Library has the second largest library circulation in the United States (New York City is #1); however, because it ranks first among libraries that serve fewer than 1 million people, it's the busiest library in the country. It circulates 24.8 million items per year, averaging 33.3 items per county resident. (I think my own circulation is more along the lines of 75 items per year.) It's also the oldest public library system west of the Mississippi River.

Beautiful lobby staircase

Portland's library system also earned the highest rating possible, five stars, in Library Journal's 2011 Index of Public Library Service.

The crown jewel of the library system is the downtown Central Library, which opened in 1913 as one of the first libraries in the U.S. to feature an open plan. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contains 17 miles of bookshelf space, and has more than 130 computers accessible to the public.

Hillsdale Library

In addition to the Central Library, the Multnomah County Library System has 18 branches. Our local branch is the Hillsdale Library, which was rebuilt in 2004. The new library is a green building, certified as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold. It has 12,000 square feet of floor space and capacity for 75,000 volumes.

The only way I can afford my book habit is to use the library HEAVILY and stock up on paperbacks at our local school's annual used book sale. I rarely buy books for myself, but instead for others. I have a great system for the library--I put the books on hold online, and my husband is my free delivery service! 

Lights

Festival of Lights at the Grotto

Portland offers lots of opportunities to see lights during the holiday period...most notably:

• Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Festival (Director Park)
• Christmas Tree Lighting (Pioneer Square)
• Oregon Zoolights (Oregon Zoo)
• Portland International Raceway (have no desire to go to this one!)
• Christmas Ships on the Willamette and Columbia River: up to 60 ships decked out in lights
• Peacock Lane, a four-block street known for its decorated homes...thousands come each year to view all the lights



Two of my boys at Peacock Lane several years ago

• Festival of Lights at the Grotto (my personal favorite, because it's not just secular, kitschy crap, although the nativity sets on display are might kitschy!)--they have a petting zoo, great choirs, and puppet shows

Portland also kicks off the summer with the Starlight Parade, with illuminated floats and lights going through the city streets.

Read my other A to Z posts here, and stay tuned for tomorrow: mountains, Multnomah Village, and McMenamin's.