The Hermiston Public Library closes for renovations on Aug. 1, 2024. During the work, which could take up to a year, a small version of the library will operate in the Carnegie Building, and programs will be held at Hermiston City Hall.

One city in Umatilla County will soon be getting a new library — at least a library with an entirely new look.

The Hermiston Public Library is set to begin a huge overhaul starting Thursday, Aug. 1. The renovation is slated to take nine to 12 months and will require the staff and library materials to move out. This huge undertaking will not be easy and has resulted in the Hermiston library staff, led by Director Mark Rose, spending many hours prepping and planning how to carry out the transition.

Where can you find the materials and staff members in the meantime? The staff and about 20% of their circulating collection (the books you can browse and check out in person) will move to the old Carnegie Building next door at 215 E. Gladys Ave. Many years ago, the Carnegie was built as a library but is now much too small to house the current collection, staff and spaces needed to run a modern library.

The Carnegie Building opens Aug. 19. Access is at the rear of the building, which includes a ramp.

The other 80% of the library’s collection will go into long-term storage during the remodel and will not be accessible either by the Hermiston library staff or through the Sage Library System’s inter-library loan program that includes 77 libraries in Eastern Oregon. This 80% will be “turned off” in the library catalog and will be out of circulation until the renovated library opens back up.

While many of the books will be stored during the renovation, library programs will be held at Hermiston City Hall, 180 NE Second St. Additionally, electronic resources will still be available on the website, which includes several new databases (Comics Plus, and Heritage Hub). Also, Hermiston patrons will still be able to order thousands of e-books, audiobooks, magazines and physical books from the other 76 libraries in the Sage system, which will be delivered to the Carnegie Building during the remodel.

There will be no seating for the public inside the Carnegie aside from the two or three public access computers.

Once open, the renovated library will have new windows, art, a maker space and a new children’s area downstairs. The library’s floor space will expand by one-third.

The Hermiston Public Library is in partnership with the Umatilla County Special Library District which includes the 11 libraries in Umatilla County. All county residents are always welcome to check out materials from any of these libraries.