Deschutes Public Library to send $195 million bond measure to fall ballot

Board also agrees to $1.35 million purchase of new future Bend library site

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes Public Library Board announced Wednesday evening it plans to send a $195 million bond measure to the November ballot and has voted to spend $1.35 million to buy a new Central Library site on Bend's north end.

The announcement regarding the land purchase said the purchase of land for a future Central Library is "another important step forward in the library’s capital plan to expand and enhance library buildings and services across Deschutes County."

The 12.75-acre parcel is being purchased for $1.35 million and is located west of Highway 20, near Robal Road. The land was originally purchased by the Gumpert family in 1948.

“After six months of careful analysis with the help of Brooks Resources and their team of experts, we feel this is an important and proactive step toward ensuring Deschutes Public Library’s ability to keep pace with the county’s projected growth,” said Martha Lawler, the library board's president.

The library board had initially voted in January to purchase the parcel. Library Director Todd Dunkelberg said that after six months of due diligence, it was clear that the land purchase is a fiscally wise move, and the board voted to do so last week.

“The location meets all of our top criteria,” he said. “It is centrally and easily accessible from all areas of the county and is located near neighborhoods, schools, shopping and other important services. It’s difficult to find a large enough land parcel that meets all those requirements, so we feel confident about moving forward with this purchase.”  

The library system, which has no bonded indebtedness, will pay cash for the land and incur no debt.

When approving the land purchase, the library board also approved moving forward with a countywide bond measure as part of the November 2020 election.

The $195 million bond will finance the construction of a Central Library, repair and remodel existing libraries in Downtown Bend, La Pine, Sisters and Sunriver and double the size of the existing Redmond Library.

The organization noted that this will be the library system’s first request for funding in 22 years.

The planned Central Library will serve all of Deschutes County, including a state-of-the-art learning center for children, flexible gathering spaces for a variety of purposes from business meetings/collaboration to study rooms for students to DIY activities, a technology hub and a performance and art space.

The building will expand the space needed for additional books and materials to meet population growth and provide increased efficiency, with a centralized materials handling system that will allow rapid distribution of materials throughout the county.

Conceptual plans for the building have been developed in response to input from more than 5,000 county residents over the past several years. The new building will include flexible spaces to adapt to different use patterns and needs.

“Our communities are facing strange and difficult times,” Dunkelberg said. “In hard times, the library has always been the place Deschutes County residents turn to when they need answers and information that can change and enrich their lives, from connection to employment and health resources, small business and legal information, family activities and, of course, resources for learning and entertainment.

"We believe we must continue to be sound fiscal stewards as we plan and prepare for a dynamic future to serve all of Deschutes County, as we have done for the last 100 years.” 

Preview the library’s vision plan at: https://www.deschuteslibrary.org/about/visionprocess

For more information, contact Communications & Development Manager Chantal Strobel at chantals@deschuteslibrary.org; (541) 312-1031.

About the Library:

The Deschutes Public Library district, located in the high desert of Central Oregon, serves more than 200,000 Deschutes County residents through libraries in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver. The Library’s website (www.deschuteslibrary.org) provides access to hundreds of resources, magazine articles, downloadable books and more from the comfort of home and work. Free and dynamic cultural programming for all ages is available online to enrich our daily experience and encourage all residents to Know More.