A historic library in downtown Portland, Ore., has received a major renovation that honors its past while modernizing the three-story building’s facilities, safety systems, and usable space.

The Central Library serves as the flagship location for Multnomah County Library. The 1913 Georgian-style building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, but it no longer met the community’s evolving needs.

The renovation, designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects, upgraded the library’s interiors to increase usable space for research, reading, and access to social services. Nearly 50 percent of the book collection moved to the county’s new Operations Center. This change reduced stack heights, improved sightlines, and allowed daylight to penetrate deeper into the building.

At the main entrance, a new social services office supports patrons seeking housing, recovery, or healthcare assistance. The Friends of the Library Store, which funds the library’s non-profit operations, relocated to a glass enclosure in the main lobby.

The project team also created a new teen area featuring a media and gaming room. In contrast, a designated tech-free space provides a quieter setting for reading and focused work.

On the exterior, the design team added two new terraces flanking the main staircase. The terraces remain open to the public and provide space for patrons to socialize and attend library events.