THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Room to learn, collaborate, and connect with one another and our community — these are the hallmarks of a 21st century library.

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Thanks to a voter approved bond in 2020, Multnomah County Library recently completed building or significantly expanding 8 of our libraries and upgrades to 11 other libraries. This dramatic transformation increased our library system's space by nearly 60%, positioning our library to meet our community’s needs into the future. These new and expanded libraries are now offering innovative, culturally relevant programs and services, from early learning spaces, spaces for teens, and technology labs. These changes are transforming our neighborhoods, bringing new life to the cramped buildings and aging infrastructure we have in some of our libraries today. 

 

The Library Foundation’s supporters have played a vital role in this transformation. Gifts over the last four years have made it possible for the library to design and build cutting-edge learning spaces for young children, school-age children and teens in 8 new and renovated libraries and, at the same time, helped the foundation sustain the library’s broad array of life-changing children’s literacy programs. The building projects made possible by foundation support include: 

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• Interactive early learning spaces in 8 libraries to engage young children and families

• Study spaces for teens in 7 libraries for independent study, access to technology, and collaborative projects. Enclosed spaces will prevent teens from disturbing other library patrons

• STEAM learning labs that will connect children and teens to the very latest in science, technology, engineering, arts and math, with mentors knowledgeable in these areas 

• Enclosed outdoor children’s spaces at 2 libraries, connected to indoor children’s areas, so families can gather, interact, and feel safe in an enclosed outdoor area

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These ambitious projects will have far-reaching impacts for our community for years to come.