Washington County's library system is throwing itself a birthday party in Beaverton's Vose neighborhood, and everyone's invited.

Washington County Cooperative Library Services turns 50 this summer, and the bookmobile named Evie will roll into La Raíz Park on Tuesday, Aug. 11, for a free celebration starting at 10 a.m. According to the Beaverton City Library events calendar, the library is offering cupcakes, stickers and commemorative mugs for the first 10 guests (one per household) at the 30-minute party stop.

Immediately after, Beaverton City Library staff will stay for a Park Visit from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. with storytimes, crafts and family activities under the park's shade trees. Both events are free and open to all ages.

The celebration lands at a park with its own story. La Raíz Park, at 6595 SW Lombard Ave., opened in summer 2024 on a 2-acre site that had been a private residence for more than 80 years. THPRD named it La Raíz, Spanish for "the root," to honor the district's Spanish-speaking communities. The Vose neighborhood park features a multipurpose court, picnic areas, water play and playgrounds for different age groups.

A half-century of shared shelves

Beaverton played a founding role in the cooperative. In 1974–1975, the city initiated a federal grant to study countywide library service. Voters approved the first countywide library tax in May 1976, and WCCLS launched with Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Sherwood and Tigard city libraries plus community libraries in Banks, Cedar Mill, Town Center (Tanasbourne) and West Slope. At the time, according to WCCLS, more than half of Washington County residents had no access to a public library.

The cooperative now partners with 16 public libraries and provides more than $34 million in operational funding annually to serve residents countywide. Beaverton City Library, founded in 1938 and led by director Kim Carroll, is one of the busiest public libraries in Oregon.

Summer-long festivities

The Aug. 11 party is one of several 50th birthday events WCCLS has hosted this summer under the slogan "Stayin' curious since 1976." Other activities running through Aug. 31 include:

  • Special edition library cards in two designs, available at all 16 WCCLS libraries while supplies last.
  • WCCLS passport: Visit all 16 libraries and collect stamps between June 1 and Aug. 31 to earn a commemorative Wallace the Book Bug puzzle (one per household, while supplies last).

Note: The Beaverton City Library's bookmobile page noted that stops on Thursday, Aug. 6, were canceled due to poor air quality from wildfire smoke. Residents should check beavertonlibrary.org for updates before heading out on Aug. 11.

Upcoming community events

  • Tuesday, Aug. 11, 10–10:30 a.m.: WCCLS 50th Birthday Party with the Bookmobile, La Raíz Park, 6595 SW Lombard Ave.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 11, 10:30–11:30 a.m.: Park Visit at La Raíz Park (storytimes, crafts, family activities)
  • Through Aug. 31: WCCLS 50th birthday passport activity at all 16 county libraries