Located at the junction of 27th Street and Wilderness Way in east Bend, the new central library is in its final phase of construction and scheduled to open this May. To prepare for the move, the downtown branch will close in April and remain closed for one year while renovations are completed.
Featuring three floors, the central library’s design incorporates thoughtful amenities like community meeting and study rooms, co-working spaces, a children’s discovery center, a teen lounge, a creative DIY zone, computer stations and more.
Incorporating Central Oregon’s natural beauty, expansive patios line the building’s perimeter inviting the public to relax outdoors and take in the surrounding views. In addition, patrons will enjoy an on-site café and drive-up window for collecting and returning materials.
The energy-independent building encompasses 10,000 square feet on 8.5 acres in the Stevens Ranch area of Bend and is meeting its net-zero goals by maximizing the use of solar panels, as well as providing EV-charging stations in the parking area.
Funding for the central library comes from the $195 million bond measure approved by voters in 2020 which also paid for the Redmond Public Library, as well as numerous renovations to existing branches in the Deschutes County Library system.
This article appears in Bend Nest Spring 2026.
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