Construction Will Modernize Space
Draft rendering of St. Johns Library children’s area and community room courtesy of Bora Architecture and Interiors
Multnomah County Library is starting construction on another of its transformative renovations and expansions. St. Johns Library will grow to approximately 8,500 square feet, maintaining the historic Carnegie building and adding a new addition.
To start on these updates, St. Johns Library will close to the public on October 11.
St. Johns Library has one of the smallest footprints in the Multnomah County Library system, at approximately 5,600 square feet. Its size reflects the space shortage the library bond is working to fix. As part of the 2020 library bond, St. Johns is one of eight libraries the library will expand, renovate or construct. Through this expansion and update, St. Johns can serve patrons even more efficiently with features that reflect the community.
To amplify the community’s vision, Community Design Advocates (CDAs) were part of a paid program to connect with their communities about how this library can represent them.
Based on additional community input through focus groups, public meetings, surveys and more, new features will include a large play and learning space for children and families; flexible meeting spaces for community use; teen area with space for technology, homework and creative expression; updated technology and internet; and new art that represents the community.
Bora Architecture and Interiors led the design for St. Johns Library, along with Convergence Architecture, an architecture firm based in St. Johns that brings their knowledge and love of this neighborhood to the project. Howard S. Wright, a Balfour Beatty company, is the General Contractor for this $13 million project.
During St. Johns Library's construction, the library encourages patrons to visit the following locations:
Kenton Library: 8226 N Denver Avenue, Portland, OR 97217
Northwest Library: 2300 NW Thurman Street, Portland, OR 97210
St. Johns Library is scheduled to reopen in spring 2026.
Community members can stay up-to-date on the latest news about Belmont Library and all Multnomah County Library building projects at multcolib.org/planning.