I am so happy I got a replacement library card recently. I lost my original one several years ago when I lived in SE Portland. I received my new card at the tiny NE location next to Whole Foods, just off 15th and Fremont. As this is the closest location to my neighborhood, I was happy to learn that I could select all of my desired my items online and have them shipped and held for pick up at my convenient NE location. Back when I lived in SE, the online services were not as extensive, so I kinda didn't use my card as much as I should have back then, I just bought 'em at the bookstore.
I am a true book lover and I have an entire room in my house filled with various books, but given the current state of the economy, I am feeling less frivolous. I would much rather get a taste for a book by borrowing it from the library, than immediately running out and buying it, only to discover that I may not want to read it again.
On my most recent trip to the library, I not only got a great novel, but an audio book for my daily commute, as well as cookbooks and gardening books. Even the selection at my tiny local branch was very good.
The downtown library is really amazing. Not only for it's vast selection, but because it has that lovely historic library feel.
The folks who work at the various Multnomah County Libraries vary in the levels of customer service they choose to provide. When I got my replacement card, the librarian who assisted me was outstanding. Super friendly and cheerful. Her counterpart on a different day, however, was rather stone-faced and generally rather uptight.
In general, the library system here is well-organized and I am amazed at the selection of current titles in all of the sections. I am very pleased overall with my newly acquired replacement card. read more