Hillsdale Library was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification as a "green building" in 2004, the year the Southwest Porltand library reopened in its new location. A number of design elements contribute to the building's official "green" status, including access to public transit, water and energy efficiency, materials that come from local manufacturers, and high indoor air quality.

Hillsdale boasts a large collection of books as well as audio and visual materials, periodicals and electronic resources in English and Spanish that can be accessed on site or from a home computer. This library also houses a collection of materials in Russian. Hillsdale customers have access to Multnomah County Library's systemwide catalog of two million books and other library materials.