Redmond Library Set to Open Jan. 27

After years of anticipation, the Redmond Library will officially open to the public on Jan. 27. Ahead of its grand opening, the Deschutes Public Library provided a look at the new 40,000-square-foot library, which offers up a variety of fresh amenities for the community.

The new library is intended to serve as a community hub offering expansive book and material displays, public meeting rooms, creative spaces, co-working areas and ample seating and access to technology.

A large sculpture, created by PNW artist John Grade, floats above the stairway in the new Redmond Library. Credit: Julianna LaFollette

The building is nearly double the square footage of the previous Redmond library and includes an interactive children’s space, a drive-up window for pick-up and drop-off services and a unique art installation, inspired by the stem structure of the local sagebrush plant, that patrons can’t miss. DPL was able to invest in art like this through private donations.

One of DPL’s biggest accomplishments with the library includes its increase in meeting spaces – a priority to meet the needs of community members. According to Sonja Branjes, library operations supervisor, the previous library’s meeting room was consistently reserved. Additional meeting room space was one of the main requests from locals throughout the years, she said.

“Because of its access and because it’s free, it’s the only large-scale or small-scale free space to meet that has privacy,” said Branjes. “There’s tons of excitement for the library, in general, but we feel like we really filled that need with this space, and it was really intentional.”

The library has various areas, tucked away, for people to conduct meetings, work and collaborate. These spaces also have separate closed-off meeting rooms that people can reserve for more privacy.

“Now that we’re here, I can’t believe it. It really is what we thought. I think it’s really gonna be its full self when the people are here. We’re super excited for it,” said Branjes.

The library’s comprehensive maker space is another new feature. The first of its kind within DPL, the maker space opens the opportunity for people to create and dabble in various crafts and hobbies.

The area offers a variety of supplies and devices, complete with sewing machines, a 3D printer, and items used for jewelry making, leather working and more.

In preparation for its construction, Redmond opened a temporary library in January 2023 to continue allowing services to locals. The temporary library closed on Dec. 21, in advance of the new library’s opening.

Library Director Todd Dunkelberg said he is thrilled about the outcome of this project and can’t wait to introduce the space to the community.

“It is beyond my wildest imagination. Everything we wanted in this building has happened and more,” said Dunkelberg. “For the most part, I’m not even trying to sell it to people, because anything I say about this building, once you walk in and see it, it’s going to be that much more amazing.”

This article appears in The Source Weekly January 9, 2025.