PORTLAND, Ore. — A brand-new building for the Multnomah County Library is opening up in Northeast Portland: The building near 122nd and Burnside is an operations hub processing new books and transferring books to different branches. Many community outreach projects will be based out of here as well.
This all started in 2015 when the Multnomah County Library presented a capital plan to voters for a bond. Now, that money is going towards nine big expansions and renovations pushing the idea of what many think a library can provide.
"Everything about this is new," said Director of Libraries Vailey Oehlke.
The center features an automated handling system that will free up library staff for more time to interact with the public.
"We send millions of items around the system every year. Up until this project, that was all done by hand,” explained Oehlke.
The operations center is the home to all library staff that provides community services, like their mobile van that brings Wi-Fi, laptops and books right to their patrons' front steps.
"Transportation is a big barrier for people who are in poverty or people who are working multiple jobs and trying to take care of a family. We are taking library services to the point of need," Oehlke said.
Multnomah County Library said they are working on renovating 11 libraries and opening up a central library in February. Their new approach takes into account the mental health and security of both employers and patrons.
"We've lowered all the bookshelf heights and created a much better sight line. It is easier to know who is in the space, what they are doing and where your colleagues are in the space, so that's a significant part of that," Oehlke said.
The operations center features a public bookstore called Rose City Reads, where patrons can find used and affordable books. Proceeds from all of the book sales go towards the library.