On September 7th, the Belmont Library at 1038 SE Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard closes for renovations that will more than double its size with a two-story addition to the original 1924 brick building. Demolition crews will remove portions of the building added in previous updates, clearing the way for the modern amenities seen at other voter-approved library expansions. Starting August 31st, patrons will only receive at-door service from library staff as they prepare the space for construction.
Belmont Library is one of several options for Montavilla residents. Despite its modest 5,420-square-foot capacity, this branch is one of the busiest locations in the entire Multnomah County Library system. During the closure, people can visit a temporary branch at 3557 SE Hawthorne Boulevard starting Monday, September 9th. Limited services at this storefront will include holds-pick-up, Lucky Day items, all-hours book returns, and free wireless printing. Patrons can also use the recently refreshed Gregory Heights Library at 7921 NE Sandy Boulevard or the new two-story Holgate Library at 7905 SE Holgate Boulevard.
Crews will create dedicated areas during the Belmont Library remodel that offer more to do than read, similar to what staff revealed last month at the Holgate Library. Children and their caregivers will find an ample interior educational play space with books, games, and other age-appropriate learning tools. Community groups will gain flexible meeting spaces with updated technology and internet throughout the facility. A teen area will provide space for homework and creative expression with access to modern technology. As with other recent library investments, new community-reflecting art will adorn the expanded building.
Bora Architecture and Interiors led the design efforts for this $28 million project that will deliver an approximately 15,000-square-foot modern library. People should expect a year of construction starting next month. The builder anticipates the Belmont Library will reopen around spring 2026.
Update: A previous version of this article said the Belmont Library would reopen in late 2025 or early 2026. That timeline was updated to spring 2026.
Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.