MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. – Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell has dedicated the Inverness Jail (MCIJ) Library to retired Multnomah County librarian Carol Cook. 

“When people are in our custody, we have an opportunity to provide thoughtful and intentional services to connect them with resources and services,” said Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell. “Carol Cook  did so much for our adults in custody. She  provided career paths, joy, hope and opportunity. She defined what it means to be a part of our MCSO community.”  

For more than two decades, Cook worked as a library educator and incarceration service coordinator, serving adults in custody in Multnomah County. Cook ran the library at MCIJ, taught classes on adult and child literacy, and provided library services, including selecting and purchasing books for jail book clubs. She also regularly volunteered to do practice interviews with adults in custody who were developing job-seeking skills to make meaningful life changes upon their release. 

Cook, who received the Multnomah County Superior Public Service to External Customers Award in May 2025, and retired earlier this year, returned to the Inverness Jail on September 30, 2025, for the official dedication of the Inverness Jail Library in her honor.  

Multnomah County Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell, Chief Deputy Stephen Reardon, and Chief Deputy Steve Alexander presented the dedication plaque at the ceremony. Several MCIJ adults in custody enrolled in the library program also attended, eager to see Cook and to witness her prestigious recognition. 

“Carol’s career demonstrates the power those working in the justice system have to uplift, heal and transform,” said Inverness Jail Programs Supervisor Duane Randle. 

Cook devoted countless hours to literacy programs, including the ‘A Book is a Bridge’ program, a monthly literacy group for adults in custody with young children. At the end of each session, participants received age-appropriate books to read to their children during non-contact visits. The books were then mailed to the children’s residences following these visits. 

From July 2024 through June 2025, Cook conducted 120 literacy and early literacy sessions, or 180 hours of group facilitation, with 1,189 attendees. She also conducted 89 library sessions, or 133.5 hours of group facilitation, with 780 attendees. 

During the recognition ceremony, some of Cook’s students shared their heartfelt gratitude, not just for the service she provided, but for the way that she connected with them. One adult in custody said, “[Cook] kept us engaged, and that gets us through this hard time.” 

Another told Cook at her library dedication ceremony, “We looked forward to our Tuesdays, because we came back [to the dorm] joyful, with something to talk about.”  

Cook’s colleagues say that she always saw the tremendous potential and intellect of the people she served. 

Cook believes her greatest strength is listening and connecting.  

### 

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is providing images taken at Cook’s recognition ceremony for media use. The adults in custody featured have signed MCSO authorizations to release their images. Media is not required to blur their faces. We are also providing b-roll of the Inverness Jail library and books stored within the dorms. Please credit the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office when using our images and b-roll.