Our History of Advocacy & Support
For over 40 years, the Friends of the Library have fought for sufficient and permanent funding for the Multnomah County Library. In November 2012, Multnomah County voters approved Ballot Measure 26-143, bringing to an end a string of temporary funding levies and creating the new Multnomah County Library District. The Library District took effect on July 1, 2013 and provides dedicated and stable funding for the library far into the future. In 2020, Multnomah County voters approved Measure 26-211, a capital bond measure to expand and modernize library spaces.
But our job is not over. The Friends of the Library continue to advocate for the role of libraries in our community and support vital programs for all ages. Join us!
Read about our accomplishments at Our Support of MCL.
1972
Major cuts in county funding for the library led to reduced library hours. Concerned book lovers formed the Friends of Multnomah County Library as a volunteer advocacy group to help the library through this period. While county funds were eventually restored through federal revenue sharing, the library still suffered from staff attrition and the insecurity of non-guaranteed funding.
1974
First Friends book sale held at Central Library
1976
Friends helped launch the first of many campaigns for a library levy
1979
The Friends, with the Library Advisory Board and county commissioners McCoy and Blumenauer, successfully lobbied the state legislature to pass Senate Bill 31, which provided direct per capita support for the libraries through the state’s general fund. This is the most important library legislation approved by the voters since 1901 when the first library law was enacted to authorize the establishment and maintenance of public libraries through the gathering of taxes and to provide for their control and protection.
1982
The Friends filed non-profit papers and the newsletter became a monthly publication.
1984
The Series “Meet the Author” began and started a literary trend in Portland.
1990
Friends began a Children’s Author Series and the Friends’ bookstore was organized.
1991
The Friends Endowment Fund was established.
1994
Friends book sale yielded over $50,000 for the first time.
1996
Friends endorsed the “No Censorship – No on Measure 31” campaign.
1997
Opened Friends Library Store in Central Library + Friends purchased the Solar Wreath light fixture for the newly reopened Central Library’s 2nd floor.
2002
First book sale was located in east county at the Gresham Library.
2003
Friends received a $100,000 bequest from the estate of Mary E. Phillips, the Multnomah County librarian when the Friends were formed in 1972.
2006
Friends advocated for another library levy – the 9th.
2012
Friends helped advocate for a library district and achieved stable library funding and opened FOL’s online sales storefronts.
Friends Fall book sale yielded over $100,000.
2019
2020
Friends helped advocate for and Multnomah County voters approved Measure 26-211, a capital bond measure to expand and modernize library spaces.
