Multnomah County Library and the Regional Arts & Culture Council have announced artists who will create works to be placed in library buildings across the county. The public art efforts are part of the voter-approved 2020 library building bond, which is intended to build, rebuild or expand nine library buildings. Smaller upgrades are also planned for 11 libraries that aren’t getting major renovations.
Local artists have been selected to create works for the buildings that are the first to get major updates, the Operations Center and Holgate and Midland libraries. Construction has begun on the new Operations Center, located on the site of a former Safeway grocery store, at 221 N.E. 122nd Ave. Items placed on hold are sorted at the Operations Center, which is also the first arrival point for new books and materials, among other functions. The new Operations Center is scheduled to open in fall 2023.
