Architects: LEVER Architecture; Noll & Tam Architects
Size and location: Expanding to 30,000 square feet on the existing site
Timeline: Opening July 19, 2025
Albina Library is not just a renovation and expansion–it’s a true transformation, built to be open, modern and flexible for the community. The library has updated the historic Carnegie building and added over 22,000 square feet with two stories for a total of 30,000 square feet of space on the existing site.
Celebrate the grand reopening of Albina Library!
We are excited to welcome you back to Albina Library. Join us for two days of free, fun-filled community events to celebrate. Community events will be updated here as they are scheduled.
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Hip Hop Soulsation: Dance Performance and Class; 10-11 am
Summer Reading: Arcade Universe with Dragon Theater Puppets; 10:30-11:30 am
Designing the Albina Library with LEVER Architecture; 11 am-12 pm
Sistahs4Life Soulful Line Dancing; 11:30 am-1 pm
Reading is Magic! with Louie Foxx; 12-1 pm
Cómo plantar un árbol // How to Plant a Tree; 12-2 pm
Creative Learning: Explore 3D Printing; 1-3 pm
Indigenous Hoop Dance with Cooper Nez (Diné); 2-2:45 pm
Teens: Zines, T-shirts/Totes, & Buttons with Outlet PDX!; 2:30-5:30 pm
Time Sound: The Albina Sound Reimagined with Albina Music Trust; 3-5 pm
Family Circus Workshop with Circus Cascadia; 4-5:30 pm
Grupo de Danza Azteca MexicaTiahui/MexicaTiahui Aztec Dance; 4-5 pm
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Creative Learning: Come Play with Music Tech at Albina!; 12-2 pm
Flor al Estilo Origami de 5 Pétalos / Flower Origami; 12-2 pm
Children's Blues Music with Wendy and DB; 12:30-1:15 pm
Tree People Stories with Urban Forestry; 1-2:30 pm
Comedia Para Los Niños / komedy 4 da kidz; 1:30-2:15 pm
Mariachi Viva México; 2:30-3:15 pm
Switch Tournament with PDX Gaymers; 3-5 pm
Soul Conversation with Albina Music Trust; 3-5 pm
Elotes Callejeros con Edurne // Street Corn with Edurne; 4-5:30 pm
African Storytelling with Habiba; 4:30-5:15 pm
New features
To recognize its role as a popular, beloved location, all of Albina Library’s updates are the result of extensive community and staff engagement with features for the community to enjoy.
New features include:
- Outdoor courtyard for community members to relax and connect.
- A teen room with space for technology, homework and creative expression.
- A large early learning and play space for children and their families.
- A larger, more diverse collection.
- A sensory room for supporting patrons with diverse sensory needs.
- Four small community rooms for study, homework and small group meetings, and five larger rooms for larger group meetings, library programs and presentations.
- Updated wi-fi and technology, including more laptops, iPads and creative software for patron use.
- New Automated Materials Handling system, ensuring materials get to patrons much faster.
- Modern self checkout stations to provide a better patron experience.
- New art that represents the community in partnership with the Regional Arts and Culture Council, including:
- Sculptures from artist Greg Robinson along the Russell Street entrance and in the courtyard
- Suspended artwork in the Russell Street lobby from artists Joe and Carly Feddersen
- Outdoor courtyard mural from artist Daren Todd
- Community room mural from artist Amirah Chatman
- Artwork from the Portland Street Art Alliance including:
- Two pieces in the kids area from artists Julia Alexis Hunkler and Christian Tellez
- A Russell Street lobby mural from artist Jessilyn Brinkerhoff
- A teen room mural from artist Nicky Kriara, guided by a teen art workshop at Harriet Tubman Middle School
See what you, the community, voted for at Albina Library with this fly-through.
Centering the community
Albina Library is located in a historically Black neighborhood. That’s why we centered the Black community, seeking their insights through focus groups, tabling events and one-on-one talks including with local elders.
We also reached out to other groups in the neighborhood. We heard from the community through public meetings, surveys, workshops and more. The design team hosted paid focus groups with diverse groups, including:
- Spanish-speaking communities
- Immigrants and refugees
- Indigenous communities
- Disability community
Teens helped shape teen spaces through a paid program called Youth Opportunity Design Approach (YODA). In sessions led by the architects and youth librarians, teens who use Albina and North Portland libraries shared what will make them feel welcome.
We engaged over 3,500 people during more than 65 activities. Community members cast 1,261 votes for Albina’s interior color palette, with the winning theme being warm yellow tones inspired by Mount Hood.
One of the many features influenced by community input is the large, first floor community room. With beautiful windows lining Russell Street, the room connects the neighborhood with vibrant community events happening in the space. The room is also next to the interior courtyard. During design feedback sessions, many community members preferred an outdoor space that feels more protected and secure with an opportunity to gather both inside and outside during events held in the community room.
