Great libraries. Great communities. Building for the future.
Above: Exterior Midland Library rendering by Nephew
Thanks to the support of voters, Multnomah County Library is hard at work on a major transformation. New spaces will replace cramped buildings and help the library change and grow along with the community. The library will upgrade computers and technology in every location.
Community input is shaping the design for library spaces. Thanks to feedback from members of the community, many libraries will have new features, such as:
- Art that represents diverse cultures.
- Large play and learning spaces for children.
- Teen rooms with space for technology, homework and creative expression.
- New and expanded spaces for meeting and gathering.
Get involved
Gifts to The Library Foundation will support enhancements to spaces for children and teens.
What do you want your library to look like? Join in these upcoming community events and let’s build these libraries together.
Community events will be updated as they are scheduled.
Apply to be a Community Design Advocate for St. Johns Library
The St. Johns project team seeks five (5) Community Design Advocates (CDAs) to shape the design of St. Johns Library. CDAs will support community outreach and engagement to center community input through the design process. Because design advocates are part of the project team, they will be paid for their efforts. Design experience is not required. Instead, lived experience, cultural knowledge, leadership and community ties will shape parts of the project.
Learn more about the CDA program.
About the projects
New buildings
- East County Library: a new library similar in size to Central Library (scheduled to be complete fall 2025)
- Holgate Library: a new, larger library, three times the current size at the same location (scheduled to be complete summer 2024)
- Northwest Library: a new, larger library with double the square footage at 2030 NW Pettygrove St. (scheduled to be complete fall 2025)
Renovated and expanded spaces
- Midland Library: adding 6,000 square feet (scheduled to be complete early summer 2024)
- Albina Library: growing to almost four times the current size (scheduled to be complete spring 2025)
- North Portland Library: adding 1,500 square feet with a new Black Cultural Center on existing site (scheduled to be complete fall 2024)
- Belmont Library: expanding on existing site (scheduled to be complete fall 2025)
- St. Johns Library: adding 1,500 square feet on existing site (scheduled to be complete fall 2025)
Refresh projects
- Central Library: New restrooms, carpet, paint, furniture, comfortable seating, power outlets, teen space, meeting space
- 10 more libraries receiving important upgrades (scheduled to be complete fall 2025)
Upgrades for better, faster service
- Gigabit speed internet to all libraries (scheduled to be complete fall of 2025)
- Operations Center: a new, efficient materials-handling facility (scheduled to be complete fall 2023)
Learn more:
Read frequently asked questions
