The alliance's Lending Library of Books and DVDs
An Overview of the Lending Library
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. We offer books in French and English for adults and a French collection for teens and children, as well as an impressive DVD collection. Only Alliance members enjoy check out privileges as one of the benefits of membership. Not an Alliance member?
Our Collections
La Bibliothèque
Our collection of over 3,000 volumes is housed in the Grande Salle and includes contemporary and classical works, travel guides, easy
readers, translations, poetry, books on art history and culture. Books for young adult readers, including popular BD works are
located in the Salle de Lumières. View current list of books as a downloadable Excel
sheet.
La Mediathèque
DVDS of drama, action films, romances, comedies, and popular TV series are located in the main office. Most are in French with English
subtitles.
Culturethèque: A Digital Library
The Française de Portland is pleased to offer the Culturethèque digital library to its members. Access a world of French language content for adults and children from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Delve into thousands of books, periodicals and comic books. Discover the latest new authors or rediscover a classic novel. Stay current with your favorite newspaper or magazine. Unlock your inner child while reading a bande déssinée. Try a new recipe from the many cookbooks. Introduce your child to French through content designed especially for children.
Enjoy the latest in French and world music including classical, jazz, pop and the standards. Go behind the scenes with artist interviews and concerts. Listen to audio books, catch a lecture or plug in to a podcast, all on the go.
Enrich your French language learning through a vast array of educational resources catered to every language level. Introduce your children to French through cultural learning materials.
Register for the Culturethèque digital library for a two-day trial at culturethèque.com. After you register,
your account will be updated with your membership expiration date. Members of the Alliance Française de Portland enjoy access for the
duration of their membership. Not an Alliance member? Sign up here.
Guidelines
Hours
The Bibliothèque Française librarian is available Monday from 11-1pm for assistance. The collection is also open during office hours, 10am-3pm, Monday through Friday, whenever the rooms aren't holding a class. The DVD collection is located in the office and is available during office hours 10am-3pm daily.
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.
Please limit your checkouts to one 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.
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.
