Multnomah County has a new Mobile Library

(AUGUST 12, 2022) Multnomah County Library is a large network of libraries that serve most of the Portland metropolitan area. There are 19 branches throughout the county. And now, the Multnomah County Library as a new mobile library, too!

The Mobile Library is a new form of "bookmobile." It's a custom recreational vehicle (RV). It looks like a tour bus for a big rock band. But instead of musicians and musical instruments, it has books, computer stations, wi-fi access, printers, and even space for activities.

The new Mobile Library will visit communities that might not have a library branch in their neighborhood. One of its goals is to reach people who haven't been to the library before. It also wants to help people who can't travel to the library and those with work schedules that prevent them from visiting a local branch.

“This is a unique opportunity for the library to expand our reach into the community. Expanding our library services with the Mobile Library to communities that have barriers coming in is just another way we will be able to do this,” says David Lee on the library's website. He's the mobile and partner libraries manager. He says the Mobile Library will “bring technology and services that haven’t been possible in the past, and do so in a mobile fashion."

The library will be publishing more details on its website soon.