Hennebery Eddy’s refresh of the c.1913 Central Library earned a Design Excellence: Impact Award from IIDA Oregon. Located in downtown Portland, Central is the flagship location for Multnomah County Library and serves researchers, families, job seekers, and houseless community members. Refreshing the interior makes it it more accessible and welcoming, enhances safety and security, gives patrons and staff more personal space, and introduces a contemporary palette of finishes and furniture that honor the historic interior. The result is a beautiful, future-forward library within a celebrated historic structure, positioned to better serve its wide range of patrons.
One of the major projects funded by a voter-approved bond, the renovation increased space for people and improved comfort and safety by first relocating nearly 50% of the collection to MCL’s new Operations Center. A broader range of seating options and thoughtful layout gives each patron ample personal space, so they settle into a seat and stay longer to read, research, or rest. Adding in-floor power outlets and limiting the number of computers to two per table improves privacy as well as safety. New and restored furniture and finishes — including cheerful yellow paint — reinvigorate spaces, while an abstracted green rose carpet pattern references Portland’s “Rose City” moniker. In spaces with collections, lowering the shelving height allows more daylight to permeate spaces and significantly improves sightlines for staff and patrons.
Thoughtfully revised programming prioritizes spaces for high-demand use. At the main entrance, a new social services office provides support for patrons seeking housing, recovery, or healthcare assistance. The Friends Library Store, which funds the library’s advocacy and support nonprofit, was moved within a glass enclosure in the main lobby, putting its offerings on display to visitors and creating a safer work environment for volunteers. A new, dedicated children’s and teen area includes a media/gaming room; in contrast, a “Living Room” without computers offers quiet space to read or work.
Read more about our Multnomah County Library work here, or peruse our library portfolio.