Walking into the new 40,000-square-foot Redmond Public Library gives you the same sense as opening a book and listening to the spine crackle for the first time: open to possibilities. Unlike the renovations happening at other libraries in the Deschutes Public Library system, the Redmond branch is completely new, though built on the same site.

A $195 million bond measure from 2020 supports the Deschutes Public Library system’s efforts to remodel or rebuild many of its libraries, including the one in Redmond. Many of the new elements were requested by the public during the 6-year planning process.

The ceiling and trusses are bright wood, and the library is divided up into different areas, several of which were requested by Redmond residents. Library staff hope that the library will become a community gathering space, and several noted that the new co-working space and the children’s discovery spaces are aspects they’re most excited for.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be here after all the years of planning,” said Chantal Strobel, assistant director of community engagement for the library system. “We’re just thrilled…We know that this will become the main community space for this community and it’ll be here for 100 years.”

The two-story building is anchored by a large hanging piece of art called “Sage.” Created by Seattle artist John Grade, the artwork is inspired by the sagebrush that is common in Central Oregon.

First-ever makerspace for the libraries

The library has new children’s discovery spaces, a large community room, a makerspace, co-working spaces and more. The children’s discovery spaces include toys, places to sit and read, areas to crawl through and jump on, and several creative stations.

The makerspace is the first of its kind in the Deschutes Public Library system.

“Our goal is to have as many tools, materials and supplies available to people at the lowest barrier to entry,” said Tony Grzesik, the library system’s makerspace technician. “Currently everything in here is free for the public to use, including stuff like 3-D printer filament and paint and fabric to use in sewing machines. So we have a good supply of things for anyone to come in here and hit the ground running.”

He has spent the past little while hunting down new equipment and materials to stock the maker space. Library staff and volunteers will also be in the area to help people get started. Programming and classes are also in the works. The area includes small rooms to work on private projects as well as open space anyone can use.

“We still have a lot of materials and supplies that are on the way here, boxes arriving every day,” said Grzesik. He will spend the next few weeks finishing getting the space ready to open for the public, and is looking forward to community feedback.

New, open shelving

Thanks to the library’s new shelving system, both stories looks open and inviting. The books are organized by topic and the shelves are different heights, lengths and even shapes. There are also walls with book displays reminiscent of a bookstore.

The library has 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.

Greg Holcomb, the project manager, said the Redmond project was under budget. Overall, the project’s construction and development cost $43 million.

He said there’s been a lot of demand for the meeting and study rooms.

The Redmond library will open to the public on Jan. 27. It will initially open with abbreviated operating hours before switching to full hours in February. The drive-thru, where patrons can drive up to a window to drop off materials and pick up holds, will begin operations in the spring.

The Sisters and La Pine libraries were renovated and reopened in 2023. The Sunriver library was renovated and reopened in August.

Construction on the Central Library at Stevens Ranch began in May and will be completed in early 2026. The Downtown Bend Public Library will be renovated after the Central Library is finished. The East Bend Public Library, which is leased, will be closing in 2025, and staff and materials will move to the Central Library.

Sunriver library checks back in after 10-month renovation