If you’re reading the Ooligan Press blog, you are likely a publishing professional, editor, or writer. You also likely live in, or at least have ties to, the Portland area. Good for you! This city has a vibrant literary community, multiple acclaimed presses, an abundance of writing talent, and—the subject of this blog—bountiful resources available to you. And if you’re in search of professional resources, your local library is always a good place to start looking.
Every urban library system is important to their city but, in my certainly biased opinion, the Multnomah County Library (MCL) is unique in the extent of its importance to the city’s culture and community. Their services go far beyond books: they sponsor multicultural music performances and art displays, they facilitate social services, host community gatherings, and much more. If you find yourself in want of support, even with something you might not traditionally associate with the library, it is a good idea to see if they can help.
But we’re publishing people, and so we are indeed concerned with the stuff one traditionally associates with the library: books, making books, writing books, and reading books. So, here is an overview of library resources and programs which might be relevant to you, a person concerned with books, that you may not already be aware of.
The Library Writers Project
This one is near and dear to my heart because I am the manager of the team which publishes the Library Writers Project title at Ooligan. But even if I wasn’t, I’d still gush about how cool the LWP is.
Every year, the MCL collects self-published titles by local authors and compiles them into a catalog of ebooks. This ebook collection is then made available on Libby and Overdrive to all library cardholders.
Business Research Databases and Reference Services
Publishing professionals often need market research, industry data, or competitor analysis, and MCL provides access to several business databases that can help. Through Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA), you can search for information about businesses and people in the US and Canada, conduct market research, and gather demographic data that might inform your publishing decisions. The library also offers research databases covering business journals, economics, finance, and more. And if you’re not sure where to start, reference librarians are available to help you navigate these resources and answer research questions.
Author Events and Literary Programming
MCL regularly hosts author talks, panel discussions, and literary events that provide both inspiration and networking opportunities. The library’s annual Everybody Reads program brings nationally recognized authors to Portland—this year featuring Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in March 2026. Throughout the year, Literary Arts partners with the library to bring acclaimed writers like Percival Everett, Colm Tóibín, Imani Perry, and Patrick Radden Keefe to Portland. These events offer chances to hear from successful authors, learn about their craft, and connect with other members of Portland’s literary community.
Beyond author events, the library offers programs on a variety of topics relevant to all sorts of publishing professionals. For example, MCL is partnering with Ooligan on a series of programs in April titled “Submitting Your Manuscript for First Time Authors” which will cover all the different ways that a new author can try to get their book published. Keeping an eye on the Events & Classes calendar will keep you apprised of programs which may be relevant to you.
Free Meeting Rooms
If you need space for manuscript workshops, author meetings, or editorial sessions, MCL offers free community room reservations at most locations. Small and medium rooms can be booked online for up to two or four hours respectively, while large community rooms (for groups of twelve or more) require a simple application. You don’t even need a library card to reserve a room, and all community rooms are completely free to use. It’s a practical resource that can serve as meeting space without the coffee shop noise or the cost of renting office space.
Digital Resources
Beyond physical books, MCL’s digital collections provide valuable research and professional development resources. Through your library card, you can access LinkedIn Learning for business and software skill development, literary magazines and journals, and a wide range of online resources. The library’s computers offer Microsoft Office and internet access for up to four hours per day, with free printing, copying, and scanning available at all locations. Some branches also offer laptop checkouts for in-library use.
The Multnomah County Library really does function as a hub for Portland’s creative community. Whether you need research tools, meeting space, professional development resources, or just want to stay connected to the local literary scene, the library offers practical support for publishing professionals at every career stage. Oh, and you can borrow books from them as well!
Back Matter
Image Credit: “Multnomah County Library” by Padraic. is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.