Wednesday, January 26, 2022
The Library Capital Bond Program Management Office is excited to announce it has selected an architecture firm to support the first Refresh project as part of the bond.
Hennebery Eddy Architects will lead the design work for this project. As a Portland-based design firm, Hennebery Eddy has extensive experience working with the Library and the current bond projects on the design for the Operations Center, which is considered the beating heart of the library system.
The Refresh projects are part of the Multnomah County Library Bond approved by voters in November 2020. As part of these projects, 11 libraries will receive minor but still important upgrades to ensure the locations can provide safe, modern and welcoming spaces for everyone in the community. These updates will be based on each library’s unique needs and may include new shelving and furniture, upgrades of carpet and paint and other interior work.
The first Refresh project to be developed is Central Library, in downtown Portland. Planning and design have just begun, and the timing for the next phases of the project will be part of planning with Hennebery Eddy.
One of the priorities of the Refresh projects is to improve operational efficiency. In some locations, the Refresh projects will introduce Automated Materials Handling technology, which will help organize and circulate materials, allowing for library holds to be filled faster and cutting down on the need for staff to perform repetitive, laborious tasks so their work can be more focused on community-facing needs.
The Library Capital Bond Projects Team is looking forward to these Refresh projects as opportunities to update great libraries and services for great communities in Multnomah County.
CONTACT: Liz Sauer, Multnomah County Library Capital Bond Projects Communications Manager, 608.469.9250, elizabeths@multcolib.org