The Rockwood Library is a branch of the Multnomah County Library, located in Portland, Oregon. The branch offers the Multnomah County Library catalog of two million books, periodicals and other materials. The library also features a 30-person capacity meeting room for hosting community events at no charge on a first come, first served basis.HistoryIn 1961 the Library Association of Portland examined library use compared to population demographics and recommended the construction of five additional branch buildings. Three buildings would consolidate six "inefficient" branches and one would replace an existing but outdated structure. The Rockwood Library was the only new building in the proposal that would not replace another branch.The LAP announced the purchase of a building site in April 1962. According to the LAP's 1962–63 annual report, "The Rockwood Branch, located about halfway between the Midland and Gresham branches, will serve a growing area with a population of over 20,000, a high percentage of which are children." The building was designed by Stewart, Richardson, Allen and McMath; Neilson Construction and Investment Company served as the contractor. The Rockwood Library was dedicated on April 10, 1963. The 5724ft2 building housed a new collection of 12,000 books with the capacity to hold 20,000 volumes. Helen Gorder became the branch's first librarian.A reading center was established at the library in the late 1980s, to serve the needs of illiterate adults learning to read. The center was funded by a grant from the Library Services and Construction Act, which also paid for a reading center at the Central Library in downtown Portland. Rockwood was selected due to its proximity to the Mt. Hood Literacy Coalition Group, connected with Mt. Hood Community College and the Salvation Army.
