A new Northwest Library is coming to the community!
Thanks to the November 2020 voter-approved Multnomah County Library Capital Bond, Northwest Library is moving from a leased space at 2300 NW Thurman St. to a new library-owned location at 2030 NW Pettygrove St. This new library will be around 11,000 square feet, more than twice the size of the current building at 4,700 square feet.
In order to move books, furniture and other materials from the leased space on NW Thurman St. space to the new building, Northwest Library will close to the public on November 25, 2025. The last day open to the public will be November 24.
Before Northwest Library closes, there are some service changes to note:
- Starting October 31, 2025, Northwest Library will pause programming, including storytimes. Community rooms will be open for public use and reservable until Northwest Library closes to the public on November 25.
- Starting November 20, 2025, holds will not be sent to Northwest Library and this location will no longer be available as a pickup location. Patrons can change their holds location by updating their account online or contacting the library.
While Northwest Library’s Thurman St. location is closed, and before the new Northwest Library on Pettygrove St. is open, library staff will help prepare the space for the public and train on new tools and technology. During this period, the community is invited to use alternate libraries:
- Central Library: 801 SW 10th Ave., Portland, OR 97205
- Albina Library: 205 NE Russell St., Portland, OR 97212
- North Portland Library: 512 N Killingsworth St., Portland, OR 97217
Starting a new chapter for Northwest Library
The new Northwest Library on Pettygrove St. is scheduled to open in early 2026 and the library will announce a date for the grand opening events later this year.
As part of the voter-approved bond improvements, the library purchased the building, which sits on Overton St. to the south and on Pettygrove St. to the north, in 2021. As part of the library’s goal to reduce costs and uncertainty related to leased spaces, we’re renovating the building into a brand new, permanent space for the community. The library will be across the street from a future city park to the north.
The community can look forward to new features at the expanded Northwest Library on Pettygrove St., including:
- A large early learning and play space for children and their families.
- A teen area with space for technology, homework and creative expression.
- A larger, more diverse collection of books.
- More community rooms for studying, homework, and group meetings.
- Updated wi-fi and technology, including more laptops, iPads and creative software for patron use.
- New technology to make sure materials get to patrons much faster.
- Modern self-checkout stations to provide a better patron experience.
Art at the new Northwest Library
As part of the voter-approved bond, the library teamed up with different artistic organizations in town to bring artwork to our updated libraries. At the new Northwest Library, find:
- Art that represents the community in partnership with the Regional Arts & Culture Council like:
- A suspended artwork by artist Christine Clark.
- Artwork from the Portland Street Art Alliance including:
- A room-spanning mural that covers the adult seating area, teen area and kids area by artist Kyler Martz.
- Mural in the gallery seating area by artist Nia Musiba.
The library can’t wait to welcome the community into a new Northwest Library!