Portland Renovation Project
Learn more about the Portland Renovation Project that is scheduled to begin in 2023.
CONTACT
3305 Northwestern Pky.
Louisville, KY 40212
(502) 574-1744
HOURS
Closed for renovations.
DIRECTIONS
ACCESSIBILITY
Use the alley behind the library on 33rd St. and turn into the driveway. You will find a wheelchair ramp and two accessible parking spots behind the library's building.
HISTORY
The Portland Branch Library, 3305 Northwestern Parkway, is the third oldest branch in the Louisville Free Public Library system. Since its founding in 1905, the Portland Branch has continually evolved to better serve the needs of the community around it. In addition to checking out books and magazines, patrons can also use one of the branch's 11 computers for word processing, filling out resumes, or just surfing the web.
The Portland Branch is also interested in inspiring the next generation of readers and community leaders. Our auditorium is used for children's storytimes, adult and children's programming, guest speakers, and special events. The auditorium is also available for use as a community meeting room and is frequently used by Portland Now, Inc.
The Portland Branch Library first opened in rented quarters at 2611 Portland Ave. with a collection that consisted of 1,400 books selected from the Main Branch. The branch moved to Lewis Lodge on 26th St. in June 1907. A grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation provided the funds for the Library's permanent building. On October 24th, 1913, the Portland Branch opened in its current location.
Service to the community has taken many forms over the last century. During the 1937 flood, the Red Cross set up a first aid relief center for flood refugees at the library. It helped more than 1,500 people before the building had to be abandoned. The Portland Branch continues to reach out to the community by forming partnerships with neighborhood schools and service agencies. Hopefully, the library's second century will be as successful as the first.