Opening date announced for Deschutes County’s largest library: A new hub for learning and community in Bend
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes Public Library announced today that the new Central Library in Bend will open to the public on May 11, 2026. Located at 61956 SE Santorini Street, the nearly 100,000-square-foot facility stands as the largest branch in the library district.
The opening follows nearly two years of construction after a May 2024 groundbreaking. Library officials stated the new building is necessary to accommodate the rapid population growth in Deschutes County.
"Bend's last library was built more than 20 years ago, so it's essential that our library system keeps pace with our county's growth," said Deschutes Public Library Director Todd Dunkelberg. "The Central Library, along with the new Redmond Library and remodeled neighborhood libraries, allows us to increase our services, resources and public meeting spaces."
Even before the doors open to the public, drive-thru services for hold pick-ups and returns will begin on March 23, 2026. The drive-thru window will be available Monday through Saturday from noon to 6:00 p.m. Customers may also use a 24-hour book drop for books, DVDs and magazines. Starting March 23, those placing holds can select "Central DRIVE-THRU" as their preferred pick-up location.
The three-story building features a variety of specialized spaces for the community. The first floor includes multiple meeting rooms and a large community room, while the second floor is dedicated to a children's discovery space designed for interactive play. The third floor contains the adult collection, a co-working area and a MakerSpace for creative projects. The lobby will also feature a Thump Coffee café, a first for the library district.
Library officials emphasized the importance of sustainability in the building's design. Deschutes Public Library Dunkelberg said the facility was engineered to achieve LEED Platinum certification standards.
"It's an all-electric building engineered to operate as an energy-independent facility," Dunkelberg said. "We've also incorporated energy-efficient systems that will significantly reduce the building's environmental footprint while helping ensure reliable library service for the community well into the future."
With construction complete, the library has entered a preparation phase. Staff will spend the next several weeks undergoing training on the building's new systems and layout.
"We've remodeled three libraries so far and built a new Redmond Library. We've learned that providing time to train staff and allowing them to get familiar with the new space is key to having a successful opening," Dunkelberg said. "For the next six weeks or so we'll focus on making sure everyone understands all the systems and processes that make this new, three-story building function."
The Central Library will also showcase a collection of public art from various artists. A wooden sculpture titled "Juniper" by artist John Grade is installed over the main staircase. The building will eventually feature additional works from artists including Jason Graham, Sara Siestreem, Jeremy Okai Davis and Sarah More.
The project is part of a broader district-wide expansion funded by a bond measure supported by Deschutes County voters in November 2020. This initiative has already funded the remodeling of the La Pine, Sisters and Sunriver libraries, as well as the construction of the new Redmond Library.
The Downtown Bend Library will temporarily close to the public on April 11, 2026, as it begins the final renovation project of the 2020 bond measure. That branch is expected to reopen in spring 2027 once the renovation work is complete.
