Security at Multnomah County Central Library Questioned After Latest Incident

Another Violent Episode Near Downtown Library

Security concerns surrounding Multnomah County’s Central Library have resurfaced after a man was stabbed multiple times outside the downtown facility on Monday. The attack comes just weeks after a deadly shooting near the same library in July, which prompted county officials to strengthen safety measures.

Annie Lewis, Director of Libraries for Multnomah County, said the new measures helped staff and security respond quickly during this week’s incident.

“Our library staff and our security officers responded very swiftly to attempt to de-escalate the conflict,” Lewis said.

Still, she emphasized that librarians are not law enforcement officers and that outside agencies must play a larger role.

Expanded Security Measures Already in Place

Following the July shooting, the library made significant changes to its security operations. These included:

Increasing the number of uniformed security officers at Central Library from four to seven.
Restricting exterior Wi-Fi access to library open hours, a move recommended by Portland Police to reduce loitering and unwanted activity around the building.

Lewis noted that while these measures have helped create a safer environment, they cannot prevent every incident.

“The stabbing occurred outside the library, on Southwest 10th Avenue,” she explained. “The individuals involved were inside at some point before the altercation, but there were no reports of conflict between them while they were inside the building.”

The Role of Law Enforcement

Lewis underscored that libraries are community spaces, not policing agencies. Staff can enforce library rules, but they are not equipped to address criminal behavior.

“We rely on the response of law enforcement to enforce criminal behavior that’s happening around and inside of our library,” she said. “We have robust protocols for contacting law enforcement when that is necessary.”

While the library employs peer support specialists and community resource counselors to connect people with services, Lewis acknowledged that some situations extend beyond the library’s scope.

Balancing Safety and Community Services

The Central Library is more than just a place to borrow books. It is also a hub for community services, offering internet access, educational programs, and during extreme weather events, serving as a cooling or warming center.

This dual role creates a delicate balance: ensuring the library remains welcoming and accessible while maintaining safety for staff and visitors.

“I think that’s a really key challenge that we balance every single day,” Lewis said. “I want to underscore that the library is safe and welcoming for everyone. We also depend on our partners to make referrals to folks where we aren’t set up to meet their needs.”

She added that staff members regularly enforce library rules to ensure patrons use the space in a way that keeps themselves and others safe.

Community Trust in the Balance

As investigations into Monday’s stabbing continue, the spotlight remains on whether recent security improvements are sufficient. For Lewis, the answer lies in continued partnership—with law enforcement, social service providers, and the broader community.

The Central Library remains committed to serving as a safe, inclusive space, but incidents like these highlight the ongoing challenges of managing public facilities in Portland’s urban core.