Lending Library of Books and DVDs

Overview

Welcome to one of Portland's best kept secrets -- the Alliance's extensive lending library of French language cultural media. Enjoy a dynamic collection of items for every age, language level, and interest.

All francophiles and francophones are invited to visit our library -- or we should say, libraries. We offer books in French and English for adults and a French collection for ados and children, as well as an impressive DVD collection. Only Alliance members enjoy check out privileges -- it's one of the benefits to being a member.

Our collection

La Bibliothèque Française

Our collection of over 3,000 volumes is housed in the Bibliothèque and the Conference Room on the second floor of Kamm House. It includes contemporary and classical works, travel guides, easy readers, translations, poetry, books on art history and culture, and books for young adult readers, including popular BD works.

Click here to see the list of French books.

La Bibliothèque Anglaise

This collection of books, in English, focuses on all things French: food, interior design, art and architecture, contemporary travel writing, memoirs, and novels. It is housed in the Grande Salle on the first floor of Kamm House.

DVD Collection

Drama, action films, romances, comedies, and popular TV series are available for checkout in the main office. Most are in French with English subtitles. The DVD collection is in the main office on the first floor.

Click here for a PDF file of our DVD collection, or click here to browse the collection (with summaries, ratings, cast, and search functions) on IMDB.com

Guidelines

Hours

The DVD collection and most of the Bibliothèque Française collection are open from 9:00am-7:30pm, Monday through Thursday, from 9:00am-5:00pm on Fridays, and from 9:00am-1:30pm on Saturdays. Volumes shelved in the Conference Room are available when classes are not in session. Call the main office for more information.

The Bibliothèque Anglaise in the Grande Salle is accessible when classes are not in session. Call the main office for more information.

Checkout Rules

We rely on an honor system for checked out materials, and you must be a current member of the Alliance to checkout books and DVDs. For membership information click here or call the office.

Please limit your checkouts to 2 DVDs at any one time and return them within 2 weeks. You may renew DVDs twice. Members are liable for the cost of replacement DVDs, if lost or damaged.

You may borrow up to 5 books for 3 weeks and renew them twice. Instructions for checking out books are posted in both libraries.

Donations

The Alliance is happy to accept donations of gently used books in French and English, and DVDs.