Further improvements are a result of diligent project management and strong financial stewardship
PORTLAND, Ore.--December 17, 2025
Sellwood-Moreland Library will close to the public starting January 3, 2026 to install brand-new LED lighting, doors and door operators. Sellwood-Moreland's last day open to the public before construction is January 2. The construction will last through January 9, then the library will reopen to the public on January 10. Please note Sellwood-Moreland will also be closed on January 1 for the library’s New Year holiday.
During this brief closure, due dates will be extended and holds will stay on the holds shelf an extra week. Patrons do not need to change their holds location. If there are questions about due dates and holds, patrons may contact the library directly.
With these updates, patrons will enjoy new LED lighting throughout that provides a more comfortable reading and visiting experience. The entrance will also be updated with new doors and operators to increase accessibility.
Exterior of Sellwood-Moreland Library; photo courtesy of Multnomah County Library
Sellwood-Moreland reopened in November 2025 after undergoing construction updates as part of the Refresh projects, providing smaller but still vital upgrades to 11 library locations.
Buying back items that benefit the community
Multnomah County Library is hard at work to build, expand and renovate library spaces for the public as a result of the voter-approved 2020 Multnomah County Library Capital Bond. These newest upgrades at Sellwood-Moreland are part of the buy-back efforts through the library capital bond projects. The buy-backs occur after completing a library project and using the project savings that are a result of good financial stewardship.
The library bond project teams have adhered to cautious financial management of the projects due to increased materials costs as a result of inflation during COVID-19 and beyond. The Library has remained committed to staying within budget and time constraints. Completing these updates during the original construction timeframe would have delayed opening by about six weeks, due to a delay in construction materials delivery, whereas this closure will only last one week.
“The Sellwood-Moreland community cherishes its library, and we are making substantial improvements that could not be included in the original timeline,” said Annie Lewis, Director of Libraries. "Considering how important this library is to the community, we decided to reopen the library in November until we were able to schedule this additional work, rather than keeping the library closed for an additional six weeks. We understand that a closure of any length is an additional inconvenience, and we deeply appreciate the community's patience as we've worked to improve that library.”
The community is invited to use alternate locations while Sellwood-Moreland is closed:
Hillsdale Library: 1525 SW Sunset Boulevard, Portland, OR 97239
Hawthorne Holds Pickup: 3557 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97214
Woodstock Library: 6008 SE 49th Avenue, Portland, OR 97206
For help using the library, please contact us. The library routinely posts closure or schedule change notices at library hours and locations.
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About Multnomah County Library
A treasured community institution since 1864, Multnomah County Library is one of the nation’s busiest public library systems, providing social, educational and cultural programs, resources and services, online and through its 19 public locations. With an eye toward the future of community-centered spaces, the library is working to build, rebuild or expand eight libraries through a voter approved capital bond. In addition to being Oregon’s largest provider of free internet access, the library offers millions of print and digital resources, in multiple languages for people of all ages. From early learning to job training, computer-assisted design and 3D printing, the library supports all people in their pursuits to connect, learn and create. Learn more at multcolib.org.