When the brand-new Holgate Library (7905 S.E. Holgate Blvd.) opens its doors on Saturday, July 13, it won’t just be a big moment for Southeast Portland, it will be a milestone for the entire county. That’s because this building will be the first totally new library to open in Multnomah County since the Kenton Library was completed in 2010.

The Holgate project is part of a rebuilding push funded by a 2020 voter-approved $387 million capital bond, which includes five remodel and expansion efforts and two more new libraries, which are expected to be complete in 2025 and 2026.

Before the bond passed in 2020, it had been roughly 30 years since the county voted to invest in new library buildings, said Shawn Cunningham, a spokesperson for Multnomah County Library.

“Prior to 2020, the last time the community voted to invest in library spaces, it was also still daydreaming about constructing a MAX line to the airport, and the extension from downtown to Beaverton was still underway,” Cunningham said. “It’s an interesting parallel in terms of civic infrastructure.”

Read more: Multnomah County Library projects set to expand buildings, upgrade technology

The Holgate Library is 21,000 square feet – triple the size of the previous Holgate Library – and now one of the largest libraries in the county. It will feature space for children and families to play and learn, a “teen room,” outdoor library lockers for hold pickup at all hours and an outdoor plaza.

Multnomah County will celebrate the library opening with three days of festivities, including dancers, music and folk stories.

– Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com or @lizzzyacker

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