Construction and Remodeling Updates

Construction on the new Redmond Library is moving along as planned, keeping us on track for a fall grand opening. The windows are in and things are beginning to take shape inside. Once complete, the new Redmond Library will be larger than the Downtown Bend Library and feature a significant expansion of available community space. Be sure to check out the online photo album to view progress at the Redmond Library. Here’s what else is happening now at libraries in Deschutes County:

• The Sunriver Library is currently undergoing its remodel and will open late summer 2024 with a new community meeting room and study room, a new children’s discovery space and teen area, a new fireplace, and more.
• The La Pine Library resumes regular operating hours on Thursday, February 1 (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday).
• Work is now underway on the new Central Library at Stevens Ranch, with opening planned for 2026. We will host a livestream of the official groundbreaking in early March; stay tuned for our next eNewsletter for details! Once the new Central Library is built, the Downtown Bend Library will be remodeled.

Sisters Library Update

The mid-January cold snap caused damage throughout Central Oregon, including at the Sisters Library, where a water leak from a burst pipe flooded the community room and parts of the children’s area. We are grateful to report that there were no injuries to staff or customers as a result of the flooding, and that library materials, including books, are all okay. However, the building itself sustained damage and is temporarily closed while crews work on repairs. Starting February 1, customers can use curbside service to pick up holds. At this time contractors are working to close off the children’s area and community room while repairs continue; as soon as those areas are walled in we can reopen other portions of the building to the public. We’ll email Sisters customers as soon as we have a firm date. To ensure you get that email, visit dpl.pub/newsletters and be sure to sign up for Sisters Library Updates.

Please visit our online web calendar for the latest information about programs and story times in Sisters; some have been moved to partner locations. Further assistance for Sisters Library customers is available by calling the Redmond Library at 541-312-1050. We apologize for any inconvenience during this time and thank you for your patience as crews work to return the Sisters Library to normal operations.

Don’t Miss Anne Lamott on February 2

Best-selling author Anne Lamott joins us on Friday evening, February 2, as the first author in the Library Foundation’s Author! Author! Literary series. You can buy tickets online for Lamott’s presentation, or you can buy the full series, which will also give you access to the presentations from Stephanie Land (Maid) and Robin Wall Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass). Ticket sales allow the Library Foundation to support library programs and services that are not paid for with tax dollars. Visit the Foundation’s website to learn more about their work and the Author! Author! series.

Celebrate Library Lovers Month in February

Celebrate Library Lovers Month by cozying up with a great book and a cuppa Reader’s Blend tea, blended for Deschutes Public Library by Metolius Tea. We are giving away 250 ceramic mugs with a sample of this special library blend. To enter, tag the library (@deschuteslibrary) in a cozy reading photo on Facebook or Instagram and tell us why you love having a library card, or email your photo and response to newsletter@deschuteslibrary.org. Learn more on our website.

Volunteer Expo Rescheduled to February 25

Originally scheduled for January, when ice made roads treacherous, the Volunteer Expo is rescheduled to February 25. People looking to help others while improving their own lives can find new ways to volunteer in their community with the Volunteer Expo. Stop by the Downtown Bend Library on Sunday, February 25, anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to visit with community organizations looking for civic-minded individuals.

Tax Aide: Tax Prep Assistance for Everyone

Tax Aide is offering free tax preparation sessions for Central Oregonians at the Downtown Bend Library. Learn more about tax credits and have an IRS-Certified Volunteer prepare your taxes. Taxes are prepared online and electronically transmitted to the IRS. Certified tax volunteers are also available to answer some of your tax questions. Sessions run every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. starting February 10.

The Winter Reading Challenge Continues

The Winter Reading Challenge is in full swing, and there’s still plenty of time to join in. Adults (ages 18+) can complete challenges and track their progress via the free Beanstack app, and have a chance to earn cool prizes along the way. The Winter Reading Challenge runs through March 20. Learn more about the challenge, Beanstack, and how to take part on our website.

Follow the links below to learn how to access these programs

Note: We’ve partnered with a variety of businesses and organizations to ensure that we can continue story times and adult programs during remodeling and construction work, so be sure to note the locations for all programs and events when following the links below.

All libraries will be closed on February 19.