The North Portland Library may not appear to have changed much when it closed in April 2023 for repairs over two years ago.
More than a century later, the building’s iconic brick façade—which was first constructed in 1913 as part of a series of public library grants from benefactor Andrew Carnegie—remains intact along North Killingsworth Street. However, when you approach the side door, you’ll notice a less familiar black-brick building that’s part of the library’s 1,500-square-foot addition.
The $13 million project is a component of a capital bond approved by voters in 2020 that provided funding for the renovation, reconstruction, and in certain situations, the construction of brand-new libraries throughout Multnomah County.
The red brick exterior of the refurbished North Portland Library remains intact. The structure was initially constructed in 1913.Veronica Nocera
This weekend marks the reopening of the North Portland Library, which now has a new Black Cultural Center and outdoor space, artwork created by local artists, and a refurbished main floor, children’s area, and upper community room. At 9:30 on Saturday morning, there is a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the festivities, which continue through Sunday with dancing, music, and food.
According to Liz Sauer, communications manager for the library’s capital bond projects, the 10,200-square-foot North Portland Library is regarded as a pillar of the city’s Black community.
“People were very interested in an area of the library that would be explicit in its celebration of Blackness and the community when we were going into the community,” she added. That’s what led to this.
Melanie Stevens, a local artist, created wooden images of Afrofuturist figures for the new Black Cultural Center at the North Portland Library.Veronica Nocera
Its 1,500-square-foot enlargement, which includes a new 900-square-foot Black Cultural Center and a larger staff space, is the renovation’s most noteworthy addition.
Even down to the deep blue paint on the walls, which was chosen by over 1,000 community members as a tribute to Afrofuturism—a movement that uses science and technology to examine Black history and culture—every inch of the room is deliberate and collaborative.
A glass piece by local artist Sad DuBoise serves as the focal point of the new Black Cultural Center at the North Portland Library. It includes a number of culturally significant symbols from Ghana.Veronica Nocera
The center’s artwork further embodies this theme: Portland artist Melanie Stevens used carpentry to create portraits of Afrofuturist giants such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Octavia Butler for the window facing North Commercial Avenue. Glass artwork by local painter Sad DuBoise is displayed from floor to ceiling on the opposite wall. In order to incorporate adinkra—symbols that symbolize thoughts and proverbs in Ghanaian culture—into the performance, community members assisted in their identification.
“It’s just a really beautiful and substantial addition to the area that was intended to greet people,” Sauer remarked.
Even the furniture has a purposeful past; it includes a set of stacking chairs by Ini Archibong, a Black designer, and a pair of hardwood seats and a side table by Mac Collins.
The Black Pacific Northwest Collection at the library is housed in the new Black Cultural Center. Mac Collins, a Black designer, made the table and wooden chairs.Veronica Nocera
According to Sauer, the Black Cultural Center is intended to provide as a venue for community people, particularly the students of neighboring Jefferson High School, to congregate, network, and gain new knowledge. The library’s Black Pacific Northwest Collection is housed there, and she added future author presentations and activities are planned.
Visitors can also enjoy the North Portland Library’s new outdoor deck, a tiny fenced-in terrace between the cultural center and a renovated children’s area with a few chairs and tables, on a sunny (or at least cloudy but dry) day.
Visitors to the North Portland Library can read outside on the newly constructed deck on a dry day.Veronica Nocera
The library’s refurbished spaces are also dotted with artwork, such as the There is Joy mural created by local artist Kayin Talton Davis for the stairway. The piece, which leads visitors up the stairs onto the second floor, uses archive pictures to highlight the Black community in North Portland. You may recognize the textile mural Isis by Charlotte Lewis, which was part of the Black Artists of Oregon exhibit at the Portland Art Museum.
Charlotte Lewis’ textile mural “Iris,” which was featured in Portland Art Museums’ “Black Artists of Oregon” exhibition, is again back on display at the North Portland Library.Veronica Nocera
The renovated children’s area, which is centered around a number of vibrantly colored, interactive educational fixtures created by Burgeon Group, is a work of art in and of itself. Children can match intriguing textures, trace patterns found in nature, or curl up with a picture book in the reading nook.
According to Sauer, the children’s area used to be substantially smaller. It offers kids a little more space to do what they want to do, which may be to play loudly and have fun.
The Burgeon Group has created interactive, educational furniture for the North Portland Library’s refurbished children’s section.Veronica Nocera
However, the main level of the library was upgraded for individuals seeking a peaceful reading space.
New light fixtures, a new coat of paint, and shorter shelf heights make the area brighter and let more natural light stream in through the windows. Modern self-checkout kiosks, enhanced WiFi, and technology, including assistive listening devices for guests who are hard of hearing, are further upgrades.
Reduced shelf heights have made the main level of the North Portland Library brighter.Veronica Nocera
The community area above has also been updated, with a retractable projection screen and plenty of seating. Reservations for the room can be made via the library’s website.
Additionally, the North Portland Library underwent a significant seismic update, albeit a less noticeable one. In the first renovation of its sort in the library’s 112-year history, the structure was strengthened with steel and made earthquake-resistant.
The North Portland Library now has better access to technology, including iPads and computers, and better WiFi.Veronica Nocera
Veronica Nocera writes on culture and life. She can be contacted at 503-221-8111, [email protected].
