West Linn's Public Library: Ideas for Lake Oswego
What could we accomplish by remodeling our existing library and rethinking how library services are delivered?
We've been visiting other libraries lately, and it's been insightful. Seeing how other communities provide library services gives us ideas to consider as Lake Oswego decides what it wants from its library in the future.
West Linn's Public Library is one example worth exploring. Its remodeled building is attractive and welcoming, and it offers a variety of spaces and services that could help us think differently about what might be possible in Lake Oswego.
First, Lake Oswego residents have access to other libraries
West Linn's Public Library serves West Linn residents, but Lake Oswego residents can also use it with their Lake Oswego library cards.
West Linn belongs to the Library Information Network of Clackamas County (LINCC), a consortium of 13 public libraries.
Tigard and Tualatin libraries belong to Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS). Although you cannot directly scan your Lake Oswego LINCC card at a WCCLS library to check out materials, a regional agreement makes it easy to obtain a free WCCLS library card with full borrowing privileges.
Lake Oswego residents already have access to several public libraries beyond our own.
Visiting them can help us understand the range of services, spaces and approaches available to our community. And you may find one of these other libraries more convenient to where you work or live than the LO library.
Inside the remodeled West Linn Library
The West Linn library is attractive, comfortable and designed for different kinds of library users. It features several welcoming reading and activity areas:
A fireplace with comfortable chairs creates a place to sit and read.
Large windows overlook trees, with tables and chairs positioned along the windows.
A children's area: A spacious children's floor with windows provides a dedicated place for young readers and families.
Digital resources: A computer area near the entrance provides access to technology.
Flexible work and meeting spaces: Individual and small-group pods are scattered throughout the library.
A library of things: we have this too.
These features raise an interesting question for Lake Oswego: Could remodeling our existing library create more attractive, functional spaces without the cost of building an entirely new facility?
Library services beyond the building, which isn't convenient to most people in West Linn
West Linn's main library is located off Highway 43, near New Seasons Market and close to Interstate 205. Because that location isn't convenient for every West Linn resident, the library offers several ways to make its services more accessible.
Book lockers. Reserved materials can be delivered to lockers in convenient locations. Users receive a code to retrieve their books.
Mobile library vans. The library brings materials to different locations on a schedule, allowing residents to plan their visits.
Convenient book returns. In addition to book drops inside the library and an exterior drop available around the clock, West Linn provides standalone return locations in several neighborhoods.
These include locations at the West Linn Adult Community Center, in the Willamette neighborhood, in Robinwood and outside Sunset Fire Hall. Designated school returns are also available to students, school employees and volunteers.
Materials borrowed from West Linn can be returned to any LINCC library.
These services demonstrate that a library doesn't have to rely entirely on one building. Could Lake Oswego make its existing library more accessible through book lockers, additional return locations or other convenient pickup options?
A broad range of resources
According to the West Linn Library website, a general library account allows users to:
Check out up to 80 items at a time.
Place up to 40 holds at a time.
Request interlibrary loans.
Borrow items from the Library of Things.
Access cultural passes and library databases.
Download ebooks and audiobooks through the Libby app.
West Linn also eliminated overdue fines for materials checked out at its library beginning January 1, 2026. Lake Oswego has also eliminated overdue fines.
One question worth exploring is how libraries can reduce wait times for popular books
Could expanding digital collections, purchasing additional copies of high-demand titles or improving access to materials from other libraries help? These are options to examine as Lake Oswego considers how best to use its library resources.
My book club likes to read current titles that people are talking about.
West Linn Library offers something wonderful: Book Club Bundles.
Spaces offered for working, studying and meeting
West Linn offers reservable meeting rooms and smaller spaces called pods.
The Otto and Owl pods are designed for one person. Each has a small table, a seat, an electrical outlet and Wi-Fi, making it suitable for quiet study, focused work or a Zoom meeting.
The Heron and Orca pods accommodate up to four people. They provide tables, seating, electrical outlets and Wi-Fi for small meetings, group study or remote work.
These smaller spaces offer flexibility without requiring large meeting rooms.
You can see West Linn's room and pod information here: West Linn Public Library meeting rooms and pods.
Could Lake Oswego create more individual workspaces and small meeting areas as part of a library remodel?
What could Lake Oswego learn from West Linn?
West Linn offers several ideas worth considering as we evaluate the future of our own library:
Remodel the existing building to create a more welcoming and functional space.
Improve access to physical books through additional copies of popular titles, convenient pickup locations or book lockers.
Expand digital resources to provide alternatives when popular books have long waiting lists.
Create flexible spaces for children, individual study, remote work and small-group meetings.
Extend services into neighborhoods through mobile library visits and convenient book-return locations.
These are possibilities to explore, not conclusions about what Lake Oswego should do. Each would need to be evaluated for cost, staffing requirements, demand and effectiveness.
As we consider the future of our library, I believe we should start by defining the services our community wants and needs. Then we can evaluate whether remodeling our existing building, changing how services are delivered or combining both approaches would best meet those needs.
We should explore what we can accomplish with the library we already have before deciding how much to spend on a new building. The goal should be to provide excellent library services in a financially responsible way, while keeping our current library open until a viable alternative is ready.
West Linn's library is at 1592 Burns Street in West Linn. Go visit! It's free. And there isn't much parking, something LO should consider with whatever we do with our library.
More blog posts we've written about our LO Library:
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