(Photo courtesy of Steele Associate Architects)
The new 40,000-square-foot, two-story, $43 million Redmond Library is now officially open, as part of a “once-in-a-generation” county-wide move to reimagine how such public facilities can serve as dynamic community hubs.
In a bold move, in 2020, voters supported a $195 million bond measure to enable Deschutes Public Library system to expand services, including remodeling many of its libraries, building a new Redmond Library and adding a Central Library in Bend. They have also reimagined their potential as a resource for the communities in Deschutes County.
One of the resulting jewels is the new Redmond Library – complete with features such as multi-purpose meeting rooms, “maker” spaces, children’s discovery spaces, adult and teen collaborative/co-working areas, and access to latest technology, among many elements requested by the public during a six-year planning process. Built on the site of the town’s previous library, on Deschutes Avenue, it is twice the size of the original building and features “mass timber” construction, an increasingly popular building method, using engineered wood to build strong, sustainable structures. Blending with the environment, it provides a strong, sustainable low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel, as well as attractive aesthetics.
In 2021, the Deschutes Public Library District Board selected local firm Steele Associates Architects to partner with Seattle architects The Miller Hull Partnership to design the six bond-funded library construction projects in Deschutes County. General Contractor for the Redmond project was Central Oregon-based Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company (KNCC) which is also working on the new 100,000-square-foot Central Library off Stevens Road in east Bend. Headquartered in Bend, with additional offices in Portland and Pendleton, KNCC has a staff of more than 150 people, and has worked on dozens of large-scale public projects, including schools and civic and community centers, as well as office and commercial spaces, hospitality facilities and more.
In an effort to be as efficient as possible, the Library selected to revamp its entire system at once, ensuring that all of the libraries revolutionize their operations in a timeframe spanning six years.
Deschutes Public Library leaders say the Redmond Library represents a new kind of library paired with a new level of sustainability. The interior environment evokes beauty and warmth, with exposed regionally sourced mass timber reflecting the traditional heavy timber used in the region. Acoustic dowel laminated timber (DLT) provides structural flooring while slots cut into the sections and acoustic fabric inserted inside allows for the majority of the DLT to remain exposed without requiring drop ceilings for acoustic absorption. Glue-laminated (glulam) columns and beams are also featured throughout the building, including 65-foot glulam and steel cable trusses supporting the roof that create large open and collaborative spaces.
Located in the heart of Redmond’s civic core near downtown and area schools, the new facility offers substantial flexible public meeting spaces and a generous covered patio for all ages to enjoy. The patio faces the civic center across the street and provides outdoor space for special programs and events. On the east side, a new drive-up service window which begins operations in the spring will enable customers to pick up and drop off their library materials quickly. Ample open seating, much of it along the windows to maximize views, and access to technology is available throughout the second floor.
“Public projects like these libraries have a more significant impact on the communities they serve than other projects that come along,” KNCC Vice-President Mike Taylor said. “This gives us the opportunity to continue to invest our efforts in the community that has provided for us. We support Central Oregon in many ways and now we have the opportunity to support our families that live, learn, and play here in Central Oregon.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to Deschutes Public Libraries for granting us this opportunity to partner with them on these flagship projects. We are immensely proud of our team for their hard work in this process and we are excited to be involved.”
As part of a comprehensive approach to sustainability, roof-mounted solar panels at the Redmond Library provide energy for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified, net-zero building. Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are also available in the parking lot. A vast collection of materials for adults, teens, and children includes over 75,000 books, as well as a growing collection of materials in Spanish. English and Spanish-language programs are offered for all ages and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. The second level has abundant natural light streaming through large windows and skylights, and holds the majority of the materials collection, while a meeting room can be reserved by the public.
Redmond’s population has soared more than 225% since the previous library came into service in 1996, and over time it became abundantly clear that the community needed a larger space with more modern amenities and services befitting a vibrant growing community. The new library is divided up into different areas, several that were requested through local resident input, and staff are optimistic the conveniently located state-of the-art facility will achieve its goal of becoming a focal point as a vibrant community gathering space. The renovations and new construction of libraries throughout the county bring the opportunity for libraries to expand their existing art collections, and the Redmond branch is no exception, featuring works diverse in both concept and material, be they traditional or non-traditional, enduring and inspiring over time.
The DPL Public Art Selection Committee (Art Committee) sought works in all media and genres. Suspended from ceilings, mounted on walls, embedded in floors, works exist in both expected and unexpected places within the building and on library grounds. The Redmond building interior is anchored by a large sculptural piece titled Sage made of salvaged Alaskan yellow cedar and created by Seattle-based artist John Grade, inspired by the ubiquitous sagebrush native to Central Oregon. The Deschutes Public Library appointed local artists, a project architect, a library staff representative, and community advocates to serve on the Art Committee as representatives of the towns served by library branches.
The Art Committee makes recommendations to the library administration for final approval. Funding for the art acquisitions comes from the library’s allocation of 1% of the bricks and mortar construction costs for art, a policy that follows the State of Oregon’s 1% for Art statute. The library is also receiving donations to fund art for the new and remodeled libraries. The MakerSpace is the first-of-its-kind in the Deschutes Public Library system, featuring highly functional spaces providing opportunities for creative, hands-on activities and programs for all ages and aiming to provide as many tools, materials and supplies available to people at the lowest barrier to entry. Adjoining smaller rooms are available for recording, filming, and collaborating. Currently everything is free for the public to use, including 3-D printer filament and paint and fabric to use in sewing machines.
“We are delighted that we have accomplished everything we set out to do, primarily based on substantial feedback from the public,” Deschutes Public Library Director Todd Dunkelberg said. “In this once-in-a-generation move, the communities within Deschutes have supported the growth of a critical community resource. Through more contextual spaces, advanced technology, and more opportunities for different types of programming, Deschutes County will unite its citizenry, one library at a time.”
“One of my favorite moments so far was seeing a couple of people introducing themselves to each other and making that connection, exemplifying our aim of promoting community engagement. In an era when connection is more important than ever — both digital and physical — the importance of a community hub that dynamically engages its residents cannot be overstated.”
“It’s an amazing feeling to be here after eight years of planning,” said Chantal Strobel, assistant director of community engagement for the library system. “County residents asked for collab-work spaces, creative maker spaces, and dedicated children’s discovery spaces. We were able to deliver on these promises and are excited to see these spaces have already experienced a lot of use in the short time we have been open. With the public’s support, we have created a dynamic community gathering space and resources to serve generations to come.”
The entire project came in under budget and has already seen substantial demand for the meeting and study rooms. Other highlights include a new conveyor belt book return system, where books are checked in and then deposited into bins denoting which library they belong to and where they belong. “I think that we have delivered on everything that the community has asked for and more,” said Sonya Brandjes, Redmond Library operations supervisor. “I really encourage people to come down and take advantage of it. Talk to our new staff. Talk to our old staff. Let us show you around. I think you are going to love it.” Many of the new elements were requested by the public during the six-year planning process.
“STEELE Associates Architects thanks the Deschutes Public Library for selecting us and our design architect partners The Miller Hull Partnership to design the beautiful new Redmond Library and all the other bond projects,” said Scott Steele, president/founder of STEELE Associates Architects. “We know this library will be a place of gathering and learning for the community for generations. We appreciate the hard work and camaraderie working with the Deschutes Public Library, RedPoint Construction Management, Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company, and all the trades and consultants to complete this project for the citizens of Central Oregon.”
“As society changes, our libraries do too,” Miller Hull Architect Ruth Baleiko added. “Gone are the days when libraries existed solely to supply books and house study groups. Today, libraries represent the support fabric of our communities, providing a vital piece of social infrastructure that empowers and strengthens all who use it. “In these new and improved libraries, community members congregate in large meeting rooms that can expand and contract depending on the size. County-wide events will take place. Youth programs will flourish.”
The Sisters, La Pine and Sunriver libraries have already been renovated, while construction on the Central Library at Stevens Ranch is scheduled to be completed in early 2026. The Downtown Bend Public Library will be renovated after the Central Library is completed. The East Bend Public Library, which is leased, will be closing late this year, and staff and materials will move to the Central Library in East Bend.
The new Redmond Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9am-7pm, and Friday-Saturday, 9am-6pm.
