exploring libraries in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties

September 8 was proclaimed as International Literacy Day by UNESCO in the fall of 1965. It was first celebrated on September 8, 1966. The aim of this day has always been to bring attention to the importance of literacy to individuals, communities, and societies worldwide.

The US Bank Room at the Multnomah County Central Library was buzzing with excitement from 1 to 4pm for this year’s International Literacy Day. Representatives from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Portland Literacy Council, Londer Learning Center, Multnomah County Library Outreach Services and more were on hand to help people learn about local GED classes, citizenship classes, literacy tutoring, and much more. The room was alive with people chatting, colorful poster board displays, and piles of pamphlets. Earl was recognized for recently obtaining his US citizenship and had his photo taken several times!

After visiting several tables in the US Bank Room, Earl and I headed up International Literacy Day-themed Pop-Up Museum in the Collins Gallery. The public had been invited to share an object in a show and tell style (the object needed to be related to literacy). I brought a small book called I Am Not a Pest by Marjorie and Mitchell Sharmat. This book was one of the first books I read on my own when I was a child. I had scrawled my name on the cover when I was just starting to learn to write. Earl brought a piece of his former Friends of the Library messenger bag (a cut out of a large Multnomah County library card). He told us how he had filled this bag with so many library books that it eventually gave out over time. Michelle DelCarlo, the creator of the Pop-Up Museum, describes Pop-Up Museums as “a space where these conversations lead to deeper, meaningful dialogue and connections between people.” Earl and I enjoyed chatting with others and looking at the objects that were meaningful to them. Other objects on display were a large dictionary that had been a family heirloom for decades and photo of the one-room schoolhouse in which an attendee had learned to read in as a child.

After visiting the International Literacy Day events, we decided to check out the John Wilson Rare Book Room. This room was recently reopened to the public after a 1.5 year renovation. A library staff member brought us up to the room via a private staircase located in the southeast corner of the second floor periodicals room. Earl and I perused the collection carefully– all of which is organized neatly behind locked glass doors. We talked in excited whispers when we located the first editions of Little Women, L. Frank Baum’s Oz books and other great titles. It was such a treat to look through and learn about this collection.

While looking around the US Bank Room, reflecting on the conversations I had with people at the Pop-Up Museum gathering, and visiting the John Wilson Rare Book Room, I came up with a short list of things people can do to promote literacy in Portland:

1. Donate books to the Friends of the Multnomah County Library, the Children’s Book Bank, and the Portland Books to Prisoners program.
2. Start or join a reading club. Use www.meetup.com to meet others with similar reading interests. The Multnomah County Library has this great page on their website to help you get started.
3. Volunteer with a literacy organization. Check out the Portland Literacy Council, SMART Oregon, the Children’s Book Bank, the Londer Learning Center.

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I went to the public hearing this morning at the Multnomah Building to listen in on people’s thoughts about whether or not the commissioners should refer a library district in the upcoming November ballot.

This was another part in the city’s ongoing conversation about this matter- which included the listening sessions at five different library branches held throughout July and an online survey.

I always enjoy hearing what libraries mean to people. It’s incredible how different yet similar everyone’s relationships with libraries are, how they are more than just buildings to store books in.

It was a good turnout- with library lovers of all ages, some wearing their Summer Reading shirts from throughout the years, holding homemade signs, and ready to be heard.

My favorite testimony was from a 10-year-old boy who shared what was and wasn’t important in his life. “I don’t think it’s important to make my bed, I don’t think it’s important to clean my room and I don’t think it’s important to take a shower. I do think it’s important to have a library that’s open seven days a week.”

Seven days a week. I can’t even imagine if I had moved here on a day the library was closed. When I got here, I had this crazy idea to live in the streets and journal about my experience. But it was raining so my whole plan changed. Being new to the city and feeling lost, I sought out a place I knew I can feel safe at and help me with what to do next. I went to Central and used the free computers to look for a nice, affordable place to stay in.

Where would I be now if the library wasn’t open that day? I was and am a lucky one but how many lives are being altered because of this?

Another memorable comment came from a mother who said that the library has given her and all the children she has taken care of many riches she otherwise couldn’t have afforded.

Even I sometimes take the library for granted. How much have I saved taking advantage of the materials and resources it offers? (How much has it saved you financially? You can use this handy tool to give you an idea: Library Use Value Calculator.)

For how much Portland is known as a city of readers, it’s hard to fathom that this is even an issue. It’s really not about whether or not libraries are important to the well-being of any community (because we all know they are), it’s what we’re going to do about it- and when.

There will never be a perfect time to have this matter be brought up to the public but the time is now to do something about it.