Architects: Bora Architecture & Interiors; Colloqate Design (community engagement)
Size and location: A new, two-story 21,000 square foot library on the existing site
Timeline: Now open!
The brand new Holgate Library is the first new, permanent library to open in Multnomah County in more than a decade. It’s also the most energy efficient library ever built in Multnomah County. It’s a bright and modern space, built to be open and flexible for the community.
New features
Holgate Library is now triple the size! At 21,000 square feet, it’s now one of the largest libraries in Multnomah County.
Based on input from community members, new features include:
- Large learning and play space for children and families.
- Teen room with space for technology, homework and creative expression.
- Multiple flexible community rooms.
- Updated technology and internet.
- Automated Materials Handling, ensuring materials get to patrons much faster.
- A new Book Locker for patrons to pick up their material(s) on hold.
- Modern self checkout stations to provide a better patron experience.
- Outdoor plaza for community members to relax and connect.
- New art that represents the community in partnership with the Regional Arts and Culture Council, including:
- Interior wall mural near the elevators and line work on the exterior.
- Exterior mural for the site enclosure wall.
- Solar panels to help offset energy use.
The interior design and exterior color, representing patterns and colors found in nature, were all voted on by you! See what you, the community, voted for at the new Holgate Library with this downloadable poster.
Centering the community
We heard from the community through focus groups, public meetings, surveys, workshops and more. Holgate Library supports one of the most culturally diverse areas in the region. Community input should reflect that diversity.
That’s why the library and design team worked with Community Design Advocates (CDAs) as part of a paid program. Their mission was to connect with their communities about how this library can represent them.
These are some of the groups they worked with:
- Latinx families
- Chinese community
- Black parents and youth
- Vietnamese community
- Slavic communities
- Indigenous communities
- People experiencing houselessness
- Disability community
- Seniors
Teen spaces
For teen spaces, we gathered some exciting ideas and updates through a four-week-long paid teen program in partnership with Your Street Your Voice. Teens shared what matters most to them in the design, with areas for hanging out, technology access and creative expression.
Learn about how community engagement has guided all the projects.
Photos courtesy of Bob Kerns Photography.