PORTLAND, Oregon — Capitol Hill Library in Southwest Portland reopened on Thursday. It had been closed for more than eight months, since May 2023, for the Multnomah County Library's renovation project.
In 2020, voters approved a library building bond to construct three new libraries while expanding and refreshing existing ones in the Multnomah County Library system.
Capitol Hill Library, located on Southwest Capitol Highway, is one of the first libraries to reopen as part of the project. Updates to the building include new furniture, fresh paint and carpet, and a new dedicated children's area and teen space.
"Thanks to our community’s patience and flexibility during construction, we’re so excited to greet everyone as they walk through the doors of the beautiful, refreshed Capitol Hill," said Director of Libraries Vailey Oehlke.
Which libraries remain closed and when will they reopen?
Albina Library
- Location: 216 Northeast Knott Street, Portland
- Scheduled reopening: Spring 2025
- Renovation details: Albina Library will be expanded nearly four times its current size, growing to 30,000 square feet. New features will include an outdoor courtyard, large community and meeting rooms, space for children and teens, as well as faster internet.
Central Library
- Location: 810 Southwest 10th Avenue, Portland
- Scheduled reopening: Winter 2023-2024
- Renovation details: Updates will include a teen space, renovated and expanded restrooms, more power outlets, fresh paint, new carpet and seating.
Fairview-Columbia Library
- Location: 1522 Northeast Village Street, Fairview
- Scheduled reopening: Spring/Summer 2024
- Renovation details: Updates will include a tech bar where people can use a copy machine, scanner and computers. There will also be new technology to check out library materials faster, a new children's area, fresh paint, new seating and carpet.
Holgate Library
- Location: 7905 Southeast Holgate Boulevard, Portland
- Scheduled reopening: Summer 2024
- Renovation details: Holgate Library will reopen at the same location but with a brand new building. It will triple in size to be 21,000 square feet, making it one of the largest libraries in the county. New features include an outdoor plaza, a dedicated teen space, updated technology and solar panels to offset half of energy use.
Midland Library
- Location: 805 Southeast 122nd Avenue, Portland
- Scheduled reopening: Summer 2024
- Renovation details: Midland Library will have 6,000 square feet of added space. New features will include an outdoor children's play area and an indoor space, an outdoor seating and reading area, and a dedicated teen space.
North Portland Library
- Location: 512 North Killingsworth Street, Portland
- Scheduled reopening: Fall 2024
- Renovation details: The historic North Portland Library will add 1,500 new square feet. It will be home to a new Black Cultural Center, an outdoor space, and updated technology and faster internet.
Other new libraries
In addition to building the new Holgate Library, construction of two new library buildings are expected to wrap up in 2025.
East County Library
- Location: 1297 Northwest Eastman Parkway, Gresham
- Construction scheduled to finish: Fall 2025
- Library features: The East County Library will be about 95,000 square feet, around the same size at the Central Library. Features may include an auditorium for events and lectures and an outdoor space, according to Multnomah County Library.
Northwest Library
- Location: 2030 Northwest Pettygrove Street, Portland
- Construction scheduled to finish: Summer 2025
- Library features: The Northwest Library will move to a new location in a renovated building around 10,000 square feet, more than twice the size of the current one. The public can share their input and feedback on the design during an open house on Feb. 20.
