Deschutes Public Library seeks to keep up with growth
Additions include new self-checkout stations, bigger play area
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- New innovations are in store as the Deschutes Public Library approaches its 100th anniversary. Library administrators told NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday they hope to serve the community for at least 100 more years by maintaining existing facilities and expanding services.
The downtown Bend library added three self-checkout stations on Tuesday, offering interactive instructions in English, Spanish, and ‘pirate.’ The new self-checkout machines can scan multiple books at once.
Todd Dunkelberg, director of the Deschutes Public Library, says the new self-checkout stations were added to the Redmond and Sisters branches on Wednesday.
A big reason for the expansion -- rapid population growth.
Dunkelberg says in the past year, the libraries had 800,000 visitors. About 50,000 people in Deschutes County have library cards.
“What we want to do is maximize the space we have so we can have more books, and more gathering spaces,” Dunkelberg says. “So we’re really excited about looking at how we can serve the coming population as well.”
The self-checkout stations are just a preview of what modern improvements are coming to Deschutes County libraries, according to Dunkelberg.
The Deschutes Public Library introduced their Facilities Capital Plan in 2018 to determine the vision and need for library space, and provide a framework and guide for future improvements.
Warren, a library patron who moved from Utah earlier this year, tells NewsChannel 21 he thinks the downtown Bend library is enjoyable as is. However, he’s excited to see what’s to come.
“The help I get from staff here and the services are much more accessible than the other ones that I’ve been to,” Warren says. “I’ve been to other libraries throughout the world, and I think this one’s pretty awesome.”
Public forums will be held Thursday in Bend, La Pine, and Sunriver. More information about the expansion plans can be found at the Deschutes Public Library website at https://www.deschuteslibrary.org/about/visionprocess.
