The Oeiras Municipality area has its own well defined cultural, environmental and landscape features at the centre of Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Oeiras is a populous municipality without big forested areas, nevertheless in the main municipality’s small villages it's possible to find gardens and various green spaces. It can fulfil a complimentary role as a potential partner in the establishment of new poles of development within the Lisbon region.

Urban and demographic growth took place mostly in the 60's/70's and today Oeiras is a Municipality prepared for the 21st century.

Oeiras public library lies on an area recently urbanised and is one of the modern libraries that emerged in Portugal during the last few years.

The Oeiras Municipality tradition of public libraries started in 1957 with the legacy of a bibliophile and has grown to four libraries at the present day : the Central Library Oeiras, and the branches of Algos, Carnaxide and Caxias.

The Central Library was built by the Oeiras Municipality under the support of the Portuguese Institute of the Book and Libraries and it has a useful area of 2,500 m2. Oeiras public library has a tradition in automation services for patrons and staff. It is the first automated public library in Portugal.

The Oeiras Public Library has developed I.T. learning courses for children, and for school groups and in co-operation has supported projects in rundown areas like the URBAN Programme.