July 2026
Dear Multnomah County Library patrons and friends,
With the arrival of summer, the library remains as busy as ever during these warmer, longer days. I’m delighted to share a few updates on what’s taking place across the library system to better serve you.
Building better libraries for you
It’s been a few months since the May 16 grand opening celebration of East County Library and everyone is still buzzing! The community showed up in the most incredible way, and we welcomed over 14,000 visitors in two days. That type of support is what keeps us motivated, and it’s a moment I will carry with me for a long time. Thank you all for supporting this major milestone.
I’m thrilled that the library is celebrating yet another milestone since May, the highly anticipated grand opening of the larger and modernized St. Johns Library on June 27! This achievement is a beautiful addition to a meaningful and historic landmark.The inspiring commitment, work and care from our community, partners, contractors, staff and volunteers made this possible.
And you showed up! More than 3,000 visitors explored the expanded and charming library over the weekend, each greeted by library staff as we shared in the joy of being in the new space.
The words of Community Design Advocate Erica Cuesta resonated with me: St. Johns Library is both books and community. It’s an inclusive community space where all are welcome.
We’ve made some important announcements recently that we want to ensure our library patrons and friends know about:
- The Belmont Library opens on August 15.
- The Hawthorne Holds Pickup location closes on August 3.
The final major construction project of the 2020 capital bond is coming to an end. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!
We are also happy to share that through careful financial management of the library capital bond projects, we have extra funds available for additional improvements. As part of these efforts, Hillsdale Library will close on August 24 for several upgrades that enhance accessibility, security and sustainability. These include a new roof, HVAC system, lighting and accessibility features — an investment in our patrons and our future. We expect the library to reopen in December.
Summer at the library
This summer our libraries are bustling. We’re excited for our youth to discover “Plant a Seed, READ!” with the Summer Reading program. 851 youth Summer Reading volunteers are helping their peers participate in the program with ages ranging from 11 to 18. We’re thrilled with the high interest in volunteering at the library, and it's the first time since 2019 that we’ve been able to place volunteers at 19 locations! Alongside our youth initiatives, we are also hosting our popular adult summer reading program, Read 4 Life.
Last month, I had the honor of attending an inspiring Juneteenth program at North Portland library. Children and their families enjoyed a special storytime followed by crafts and tasty treats. The Library Black Cultural Library Advocate (BCLA) staff did a phenomenal job hosting a meaningful community celebration. Our focus on community continues with Pride season which includes many events at different locations.
As we look ahead to the rest of the summer and beyond, I’m filled with optimism for all the stories we’ll share and the connections we’ll build together. None of this growth would be possible without your continued support of our public libraries. Thank you for making our library system a vibrant place for everyone.
Annie Lewis
Director of Libraries