Architects: Bora Architecture & Interiors; Colloqate Design
Size and location: A new, two-story 21,000 square foot library on the existing site
Timeline: Opening soon in July 2024!
The brand new Holgate Library is the first new, permanent library to open in Multnomah County in more than a decade. It’s also the most energy efficient library ever built in Multnomah County. It’s a bright and modern space, built to be open and flexible for the community.
Celebrate the opening of the new Holgate Library!
We are excited to welcome you back to Holgate Library. Join us for three days of free, fun-filled community events to celebrate. Community events will be updated here as they are scheduled.
Saturday, July 13, 2024
New Holgate Library: White Lotus Dance Team; 9:45-11 am
New Holgate Library: Two Generations of Hoops Dance; 12-1 pm
New Holgate Library: Mulan Drum Team and Jade Dance Team; 2-3 pm
New Holgate Library: Traditional Vietnamese Music; 3:30-4:30 pm
Sunday, July 14, 2024
New Holgate Library: Folk Songs & Stories of the Rural South; 12:30-1:30 pm
New Holgate Library: Uke Time with Gigs; 2-3 pm
New Holgate Library: Ballet Folclórico Estampa Mexicana; 3-4 pm
New Holgate Library: Japanese Seed Balls; 3-4:30 pm
Monday, July 15, 2024
New Holgate Library: Family Music Fun with Irina; 2-3:30 pm
New Holgate Library: Celebrate Hawaiian Culture with Hula; 3-4:30 pm
New Holgate Library: Viết thư Pháp Việt Nam; 4-6 pm
New Holgate Library: Native Plants; 6-7 pm
New features
Holgate Library is now triple the size! At 21,000 square feet, it’s now one of the largest libraries in Multnomah County.
Based on input from community members, new features include:
- Large learning and play space for children and families.
- Dedicated teen room with space for technology, homework and creative expression.
- Multiple flexible community rooms.
- Updated technology and internet.
- Automated Materials Handling, ensuring materials get to patrons much faster.
- A new Book Locker for patrons to pick up their material(s) on hold.
- Modern self checkout stations to provide a better patron experience.
- Outdoor plaza for community members to relax and connect.
- New art that represents the community in partnership with the Regional Arts and Culture Council, including:
- Interior wall mural near the elevators and line work on the exterior.
- Exterior mural for the site enclosure wall.
- Solar panels to help offset energy use.
The interior design and exterior color, representing patterns and colors found in nature, were all voted on by you!
Centering the community
We heard from the community through focus groups, public meetings, surveys, workshops and more. Holgate Library supports one of the most culturally diverse areas in the region. Community input should reflect that diversity.
That’s why the library and design team worked with Community Design Advocates (CDAs) as part of a paid program. Their mission was to connect with their communities about how this library can represent them.
These are some of the groups they worked with:
- Latinx families
- Chinese community
- Black parents and youth
- Vietnamese community
- Slavic communities
- Indigenous communities
- People experiencing houselessness
- Disability community
- Seniors
Teen spaces
For teen spaces, we gathered some exciting ideas and updates through a four-week-long paid teen program in partnership with Your Street Your Voice. Teens shared what matters most to them in the design, with areas for hanging out, technology access and creative expression.
