Midland Library next on the ‘makeover’ list

Find out why outer East Portland’s Midland Library has been fenced off since December, and what’s to come there in the future …

This photo was taken of the Midland Regional Library during Celebration Gala of its 20th year – back in 2016! Soon, its entry will look much different. East Portland News archive image

Story by David F. Ashton

Officials gathered on Friday, February 17, for a groundbreaking ceremony to herald the redevelopment of outer East Portland’s Midland Regional Library. It had been closed and fenced off since December 23, to empty the facility prior to starting the renovation.

According to Liz Sauer, Communications Manager of Multnomah County Library’s Capital Building Projects, elected officials and other dignitaries would be at the 10:00 a.m. groundbreaking – including Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, U.S. Congressional Representative Earl Blumenauer, Multnomah County Library Director Vailey Oehlke, and Community Design Advocates Som Subedi and Miguel Rodriguez.

Although the closed library building had already been emptied of content, the February 17th celebrants were let inside, as a refuge from the stormy winter weather. Motoya Nakamura/Multnomah County Communications

Attendees learned that the branch library will be expanded from 24,400 square feet to 30,000 square feet on the existing site. The renovation will offer greater space for community gatherings, as well as for teen and children’s areas that allow for play and engagement.

Based on community input obtained through focus groups, public meetings, surveys, workshops, and more, the planned new features will include:

Outdoor interactive children’s garden
Large play and learning space for children and families.
Dedicated teen room, with space for technology, homework, and creative expression
A larger and more diverse collection
Updated technology and Internet
Outdoor plaza for community members to relax and connect
A “Gathering Circle” for community conversation

Here’s a rendering of the branch library’s new exterior entrance, prepared by Colloqate Design.

“Midland Library’s renovation and expansion will bring significant and lasting benefits to the community,” assured Vailey Oehlke, Director of Libraries. “This is one of the busiest libraries in the county, and we know these updates will result in new opportunities for everyone in the community.”

Addressing the gathering is Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. Motoya Nakamura/Multnomah County Communications

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega was next to speak: “Midland Library is my neighborhood library, and a vital part of a diverse community; it deserves beautiful, functional spaces. The library’s upgrades, built with input from this community obtained at multiple stages, shows how Multnomah County is working to bring people together.”

With shovels in hand to ceremonially dig in the dirt, these dignitaries marked the start of the library renovation: Community Design Advocate Som Subedi; Senator Kayse Jama; Library Director Vailey Oehlke; Representative Earl Blumenauer; Chair Jessica Vega Pederson; and Community Design Advocate Miguel Rodriguez.

Midland Library closed two days before Christmas to start the construction process on the $31 million project. The newly updated branch library is scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2024.

During construction, the library encourages patrons to visit the libraries closest to them, and to use the many online services on the library’s website. The library will share additional updates about services on its construction closures page.

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