On January 4th, Gregory Heights Library at 7921 NE Sandy Boulevard reopened after a five-month-long closure for renovations. The bond-funded work included new paint and carpets throughout the building’s interior. Other enhancements include increased book-handling efficiency through automation, faster internet service, and contemporary furniture. This branch is the first of 11 Multnomah County Library locations to complete the refresh process.
Since Gregory Heights Library closed for updates on July 20th, Montavilla residents relied on the Belmont branch for services even though it was not the closest location. In December 2022, Multnomah County began significant renovation at the Midland and Holgate Libraries, keeping those locations closed to the public until summer 2024. Construction-related disruptions throughout the library system are inconvenient to patrons, but County officials feel the temporary hardship will ultimately provide better facilities ready to meet modern community needs.
People returning to the Gregory Heights Library will see significant updates inside and out. Painters changed the red exterior to a gray base color on shingled walls with large Vintage Vessel blue painted segments on the building’s protrusions. Crews replaced the wood-shingled mansard roof with dark metal cladding. New interior paint and carpet modernized the library’s appearance, which the county had not updated since 1999. The staff replaced center bookshelves that once towered over the tallest visitors with shorter units that provide better sight lines across the main room.
Gregory Heights Library staff selected the building’s colors and furniture from several proposals. The remodel features enhanced youth activity areas with dedicated sections for teens and younger children. Larger library locations receiving updates will have dedicated rooms for each group. However, Gregory Heights could only accommodate dedicated sections. The Kid’s space is near the front entrance and features size-appropriate furniture, tactile education boards, and engaging colors. Designers placed the Teen section along the back wall with comfortable seating geared towards completing homework and hosting small group gatherings. In the center of the one-room library, a sea of books shares the space with public computers sitting atop new tables. Each station connects to the internet through a faster link provided through a City of Portland partnership.
Faster internet access is not the only technical improvement to Gregory Heights Library through this bond-funded work. Members can now check out books through automated kiosks, skipping the line and freeing librarians to concentrate on material questions. The classic book drop is fully automated in this new library. Borrowers insert returned items into a slot that reads the barcode while conveyors transport them to a four-way sort table. The item then drops into an appropriate bin based on whether it needs to be re-shelved, placed on the hold shelf for a waiting customer, or transferred to another location to fill a request. Books deposited after-hours can also run through the automated sorting process, fed from another conveyor in the back room.
Gregory Heights Library is now open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Eastside library users once again have this vital location available with its many enhancements. Later this year, Montavilla residents will have access to the expanded Midland location and the wholly rebuilt Holgate Library.
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