The St Johns Library is closing its doors from October 11th to the spring of 2026, this closure is a part of a bigger project of renovating and creating new libraries, based on a 2020 bond. The St Johns Library is one of seven libraries being renovated in this project. This historic library was built in the early 1900s by the Carnegie Foundation. This 5600 square foot building will be getting a 2900 square foot addition, replacing the old addition. The original Carnegie building will remain, and with the new addition the library will grow to 8500 square feet.
Some of the highlights of the renovation include seismic upgrades, to protect it from natural disasters and earthquakes, stronger wifi and internet, community rooms, meeting rooms, a teen space, as well as a kid’s area. The teen space is an area made specifically for teens to work on homework, play games, have access to advanced technology, and be with their friends and community. The kids area is a section for kids and families which will include an early learning play area and their own space to check out books.
One of the main goals of the project is to include the community. In October 2024 community design advocates worked with the St Johns Library to “connect with their communities about how the library can represent them” explained Liz Sauer, the Library Capitol Building Projects Communications Manager. In an interview Liz Sauer stated that community design advocates worked with “The Latino community, black and brown youth and families, folks in traditional housing, as well as teens at Roosevelt, and indigenous communities.” One of the ways this was done is through a new art installation which was created during a workshop at the St Johns Art Walk. Print work created by the community will be included in baffling that is going on the ceiling of the library. This will dampen sound as well as be a community created artwork, representing the St Johns Community.,
The community won’t get to see and experience all the new improvements to the library until spring of 2026, which is more than two years away. When asked why, Liz Sauer explained that the construction company has to move everything out of the library, renovate the Carnegie Building, demolish the old addition and add the new addition, as well as move all the materials back into the building. They also need to make sure all the new technology is running smoothly and that all staff are trained on the new tech. “It might not look like things are banging around in their construction, but we’re always working on it. The library knows that having a library closed for any amount of time is a hardship to the community it serves. And so we are certainly sorry for that hardship.”
The loss of this third space for the next two or so years will definitely impact the community. Multnomah County Libraries suggest going to other nearby libraries such as Kenton Library. A mobile library may also be utilized, as it has in the past, but there are some logistical issues to still be figured out. There is also some discourse over the fact the Belmont library is getting a temporary library, while St Johns isn’t. The absence of a library will largely impact the options for third places in St Johns. A third place is a place where people can get together as a community, interact, and live. Third places, created by Ray Oldenburg aren’t the home (first place) or work/school (second place), they are a special kind of place where people can interact without barriers of cost. One of the most prevalent third places are libraries.
The effects of the Covid 19 pandemic and access to technology have led to a lack of prioritization of third spaces, which has led to the disappearances of many third spaces across America. With the rise of technology many students may not see the importance of libraries but as a third space they are so necessary for the community. Liz Saur commented that people may assume that “The library is just a place for books, but it’s not really that anymore, like, we’re recognizing that. Libraries are really places beyond that. Of course, we’re always going to have books. We’re always going to have those Library materials that people want…but we also know that people sometimes just want a place for Community” This in my opinion, sums up the importance of libraries and how the temporary loss of this third space will hopefully lead to higher quality places for the community to thrive in St Johns. And to disrupt the nationwide trend of disappearing third spaces.
