The La Pine and Sisters public libraries are both set to reopen in October after being closed for renovations since the beginning of the year.

The La Pine Public Library will have its grand reopening Oct. 14 from noon to 2 p.m., while the Sisters Public Library will have its ceremony Oct. 28 during the same time. Both libraries will open a few days before that so staff can have a chance to get used to all the new systems.

Each library had temporary spaces open during renovations so patrons could continue to check out books. In recent weeks, the temporary spaces closed so books and other materials could be transferred back to the permanent buildings.

Todd Dunkelberg, Deschutes Public Library director, said he’s excited about the reopening.

“I’ve been working here since before both these buildings were built,” he said.

“It’s exciting to go in and see that it looks completely different, completely new, and very well thought-out.”

Dunkelberg said the renovations reflect well on the library system organizers’ work as well. In the process of planning the renovations, organizers spoke with 6,000 people about what they wanted their library system to look like.

“It really meets what people were asking for,” he said. “I’m completely underselling it, because I’ve been in them, and I know how exciting it looks … I think people are going to be wowed when they walk in those doors.”

As of the end of August, nearly $2 million had been spent for each library’s renovations. An additional nearly $1 million was spent to reroof the Sisters library. The budget allocated nearly $3 million to each library for the renovations, according to the library system’s August bond report.

The transition process went well in Sisters and terribly in La Pine, in part due to the man who crashed into the temporary building in June, said Dunkelberg. The building has not been repaired, and the wall was simply boarded up.

“Now our staff is just spending the next couple of weeks getting the books on the shelves, getting everything ready for everybody to show up,” said Dunkelberg, who shelved books in Sisters on Thursday.

Both the Sisters and La Pine libraries now have children’s discovery spaces meant to spark the imagination, he said.

“People will be very excited about it,” said Dunkelberg. “The interactive elements that they put in there… In Sisters, we have a kind of imaginative kitchen that kids’ll be able to do, and one that just really focuses on shapes.”

The elements can be moved around, and likely will shift from library to library to ensure there is variety for each community.

“We will have some of the fastest internet access in the county in each of these buildings,” said Dunkelberg. “It’s kind of one of those subtle things that you may not think about when you walk up to a computer, but we really were able to upgrade our internet connections. That’s going to be a real benefit.”

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Deschutes Public Library renovations to include new children’s discovery spaces

The libraries both have two new small meeting spaces, for tutoring or private meetings. Both of the libraries have also renovated larger meeting rooms to open them up further.

Wiring, data and heating and cooling systems were also updated to ensure the buildings last. The Sisters library originally opened in 2007, while the La Pine library opened in 2000.

“I always say for each person that comes into the library, they have a different story of what they’re trying to accomplish. And that’s the piece I’m excited about, is not actually predicting what they’re going to do, but being surprised at how it impacts them,” said Dunkelberg.

Sunriver, Redmond, Stevens Ranch, East Bend, Downtown Bend updates

The Sisters library was using a trailer as part of its temporary space. It will be used for the Sunriver Public Library in the same capacity during its renovation this fall through next summer.

The Redmond Public Library renovation continues, with the new roof set to be put on in the next few weeks. The library is set to reopen next fall.

The Stevens Ranch Library will break ground in early 2024, while the East Bend Public Library will also start its renovations around the same time.

The Downtown Bend Public Library renovations are on hold until the Stevens Ranch Library is built, and will start in early 2026. The renovations will likely take around nine or 10 months, said Dunkelberg.

The East Bend Public Library, which is not owned by the library system and is leased, will be kept open at least through the end of the Downtown Bend library’s remodel, said Dunkelberg.