After operating as a lending library at various locations and relying on public donations since around 1931, the Tigard Public Library was officially established in October 1963. The first Tigard Public Library opened in 1964 and was located in a back room at City Hall. In 1967, it was moved to a storefront on Main Street.
In the mid 1980’s, a Civic Center was constructed that included City hall, the Police Station and the Library. The 13,000 square-foot library opened in 1986 and was projected to meet the city’s needs for at least 20 years. By 1998 the Library had already outgrown the facility and a larger building was needed. In August of 2004, the beautiful new 48,000 square-foot Library on Hall Boulevard was dedicated with artwork subsidized by the Friends.
The Alphabet Chair by Sarah Peters 2006
The Tigard Public Library’s primary sources of funding come from the City of Tigard and Washington County Cooperative Library Services. The Friends of the Tigard Library supplements the Library’s core funding to allow the Library to provide additional high-quality programs, materials, and services that could not otherwise be included.
The Friends was organized in 1972 and incorporated as an Oregon nonprofit in December 1979. Since its inception, the Friends have raised funds and provided over $760,000 for furnishings, fixtures, books, computers, art and community program support.
The many events and items the Friends has sponsored or funded include:
- Adult and Children Summer Reading Programs
- Alphabet Chair
- Banned Books Week
- Books for newborns and kinders-to-be
- Cultural programs
- Music programs
- Pride programs and celebrations
- Program giveaway books and prizes
- Puppets
- Stained glass display and wall art
- Story walk program
- Super Readers
The Tigard Public Library prioritizes being an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone, and works to ensure the city of Tigard’s vision of being an equitable community that is accessible for all. One of the ways the Library works towards this goal is by providing events that allow members of the community to learn about and celebrate a diversity of experiences.
Friends of the Tigard Library are proud to provide funding for this programming and to support the Library in being an inclusive and welcoming place for all community members.
“The Exchange” by Deborah DeWit—2007
