07.17.24
This past weekend we celebrated the grand opening of Multnomah County Library’s Holgate Library in Southeast Portland. After 18 months of construction, this is not only the first new, permanent library to open in Multnomah County in more than a decade, but also one of the largest and most energy efficient.
Tripling the size of the original 1971 library, the new Holgate Library features a design inspired by the fluttering wings of a butterfly—a universal symbol of hope and transformation—to foster a culture of civic pride among community patrons of all ages and backgrounds. In a true collaborative effort, key design elements like the exterior color were voted on by the public, while an exterior mosaic features tiles hand-crafted by community members.
“The improvements at Holgate Library are going to be truly transformational,” said Vailey Oehlke, former Director of Libraries. “To go from a small, 6,400 square-foot space to two stories and 21,000 square feet, it’s the perfect example of how library spaces can—and should—change and grow alongside the community.”