With more than twice its former square footage, new art, community rooms and teen areas — plus a party to celebrate — Northwest Library is celebrating its grand opening in Slabtown.

As part of a series of bond-funded projects, Multnomah County Library has completed 15 projects, ranging from smaller refreshes to full-scale transformations of community hubs.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, followed by a public celebration continuing through Sunday, Jan. 11. Northwest Library moved from a leased space on Northwest Thurman Street to a new, library-owned location at 2030 N.W. Pettygrove St.

“Northwest Library’s new location is truly a transformed space and community centerpiece,” Director of Libraries Annie Lewis said in a statement. “From a reading area with beautiful wooden benches made from repurposed lumber to a large new kids area with interactive play features, we can’t wait to welcome the community into this incredible new library.”

At 11,000 square feet, the new space is more than double the size of the former 4,700-square-foot building, creating opportunities for improved technology, spaces to work and hang out, and community-driven art.

New features include:

A large early learning and play space for children and their families.
A teen area with space for technology, homework and creative expression.
A larger, more diverse book collection.
Five small community rooms for study, homework and small-group meetings; one medium and one large room for group meetings, library programs and presentations.
Updated Wi-Fi and technology, including more laptops, iPads and creative software for patron use.
A new automated materials-handling system to ensure materials reach patrons faster.
Modern self-checkout stations to improve the patron experience.
New community-representative art created in partnership with the Regional Arts & Culture Council, including a suspended artwork by Christine Clark.
Artwork from the Portland Street Art Alliance, including a room-spanning mural covering the adult seating, teen and kids areas by artist Kyler Martz, and a mural in the gallery seating area by artist Nia Musiba.

How to join the celebration

The expanded library offers more space for more people — and a reason to celebrate.

Festivities begin Saturday, Jan. 10, with a 9:30 a.m. ribbon cutting, followed by music, dancing and activities. Guests are welcome to explore the library and enjoy events throughout the weekend.

Designed with community in mind

To gather community input, library staff and the design team attended neighborhood events and hosted focus groups, public meetings and surveys. More than 1,700 people participated in more than 19 activities.

Community members cast 1,189 votes to select the library’s color palette. The winning theme features shades of blue inspired by the Vaux’s swift migration, reflecting the sky and sunset as the birds gather at the chimney of Chapman Elementary School.

The project team also held paid focus groups with neighborhood elders, families, teens, and social service providers and clients. The local neighborhood association participated in the design process as well.

Hennebery Eddy Architects led the design for Northwest Library. Howard S. Wright, a Balfour Beatty company, served as general contractor. The building includes seismic upgrades, highly efficient mechanical and plumbing systems, all-LED lighting and low-emitting materials that improve indoor air quality.

More than 320 local trades workers helped build the library.

Spaces for kids and teens

Two new youth-focused spaces bring interactive learning and play installations to the library.

The kids area spans 919 square feet and features a nest theme inspired by the Vaux’s swift migration, encouraging imaginative play. Technology and seating allow youth and caregivers to spend time together.

The 275-square-foot teen area includes spaces to play games, study and use a large screen for multiple activities. Artwork by Kyler Martz, inspired by a workshop with local teens, is featured in the space.

Spaces for connecting the community

Seven new community rooms total about 1,300 square feet — a significant upgrade from the single meeting room in the former building.

The library includes one large room, one medium room and five small rooms for studying, meetings, events or quiet use.

The rooms are equipped with audiovisual accommodations for remote connections and virtual presentations, along with assistive listening systems to amplify sound during lectures, story times and programs.

Inclusive artwork

Each major building project includes new artwork through the Multnomah County Percent for Art Program, led by the Regional Arts & Culture Council, which promotes equity, inclusion and access to the arts.

Portland artist Christine Clark created a suspended installation in the library’s clerestory inspired by Slabtown’s history and the Vaux’s swifts. Her steel forms reference Native basket weaving, Chinese immigrant farming, local waterways and the birds’ flight patterns, inviting visitors to pause and reflect.

Kyler Martz’s Bound for Slabtown mural spans the adult, teen and children’s areas, using the swift migration to explore reading, nature and personal transformation.

In the gallery seating area, Nia Musiba’s mural draws on Oregon’s landscapes and wildlife, using colorful abstract forms to celebrate the beauty and balance of the natural world.

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