Deschutes Public Library begins year of upgrades, temporary closures and shuffling

(Update: Adding video, comments from library officials)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes Public Library is embarking on several years of big changes, with several temporary library closures around the county this year and moves into temporary quarters for upgrades and renovations.

 "In Redmond, we'll actually be building an entirely new facility, so that will involve construction, and its just a longer timeline to start from the ground up." Deschutes Public Library director Todd Dunkelberg said Friday.

The library system is upgrading all of its facilities over the next three years. One of the updates with these libraries is the process of moving from the Dewey Decimal system to Wayfinder, their new way of organizing book collections. But books aren't the only thing getting updated.

"So basically our libraries were built pre-internet. And so a big impetus is to upgrade our technology in all of the buildings and technology infrastructure," Dunkelberg said.

Even with remodeling on the horizon, the downtown Bend location will be the last to get a facelift.

 "The downtown Bend library will be dependent upon once we finish our Stevens Ranch Library" says Dunkelberg. "Once that building is complete, then we'll start remodeling this library. So we're looking out to 2025, 2026 for this building."

 In Sisters, a modular building is already being constructed for the library to begin its remodeling project.

Operations Supervisor Zoe Schumacher said, "When we move into what we are referring to as our temporary space, we're going from an 8,000-square-feet building to a 900-square-foot building. So what we will be asking our customers is to be mindful of occupancy numbers, and the time you'll be spending with us."

"Our hope is to be back inside this building, all new and shiny, end of August," she added.

In November 2020, Deschutes County voters supported the Library’s bond measure to expand and improve libraries across the county. In addition to updating existing libraries in Downtown Bend, East Bend, La Pine, Sisters and Sunriver, the bond is funding the design and construction of a new library to serve all Deschutes County residents. Bond funds are also being used to double the square footage of the Redmond Library; construction on that new library begins in late January.

Find more information about the Library’s bond-funding projects on its website: www.deschuteslibrary.org/futurelibraries