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The St. Johns Library, in North Portland, will soon gain multiple improvements, including a 2,900-square-foot addition.

Currently at approximately 5,600 square feet, the library at 7510 N. Charleston Ave. is among the smallest in the Multnomah County Library system. The building opened in 1913, after construction was paid for by the Carnegie Corporation, according to the county.

Bora Architecture & Interiors has designed a $13 million upgrade, with contributions from St. Johns-based Convergence Architecture. The project team also includes civil engineer Vega Civil Engineering, structural engineer VALAR Consulting Engineering, landscape architect PLACE, and general contractor Howard S. Wright, a Balfour Beatty company.

The existing building will receive a seismic retrofit and updated interior finishes.

The project is being paid for with money from a $387 million bond measure approved by voters in 2020.

Five community design advocates (CDAs) were paid to share design plans with others in the area, Liz Sauer, communications manager for Multnomah County Library Capital Building Projects, stated in an email. Each CDA was given an additional stipend to compensate the participating community members.

鈥淭he community input gathered by the CDAs helped inform design aspects like the flexible room sizes, color palettes and types of furniture,鈥� Sauer stated.

The addition will be mostly wood framed. The fa莽ade will have glass-fiber-reinforced concrete panels. The design is a simple form that contrasts yet complements the historic brick building, Sauer stated.

Amenities in the expanded library will include a teen area, meeting rooms with updated audio/visual technology, a children鈥檚 area, custom-built acoustical ceiling treatment, artwork in coordination with the Regional Arts and Cultural Council, and interior upgrades.

Construction is expected to start soon after the library temporarily closes on Oct. 11. It鈥檚 scheduled to reopen in spring 2026.