A new, temporary Multnomah County Library location opened today, at the University of Oregon campus in Northeast Portland.

In a press release, MCL said patrons can expect to use the short-term location through the summer of 2024—as it is meant to offset the system's renovation and construction projects, which have left a significant number of local library buildings closed.

University of Oregon's campus in Northeast Portland was formerly Concordia University, before UO purchased it in 2022 with the intention of establishing the Balmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health. At the campus' Library and Learning Center, MCL users will be able to pick up holds, return books at a 24/7 drop-off, access free printing, faxing, and scanning, as well as use computer stations and wi-fi.

According to the release, the center also houses "a small collection of books in English and Spanish for adults and children," a family study space, and a staff that can offer assistance in English and Spanish.

In the Fall Arts Preview, the Mercury counted seven out of 19 public library buildings currently out of commission. The reason: A condition of the November 2020 bond measure which funded the renovation project required a significant portion of the bond's $387 million to be spent by December 2023.

Voters approved the measure by wide margins of at least 20 percent, but the project's timing led to several simultaneous closures. MCL expects three libraries (Capitol Hill, Central, and Gregory Heights) will reopen before the end of the year. Three more, Holgate, Midland, and North Portland, will reopen in 2024. The last, Albina Library, is expected to reopen in 2025, and not only maintain its historic building but be one of the largest library spaces in the county.

Since April, MCL has also operated a Community Technology Space, at 730 SW 10th (Suite 111, entrance on SW 9th), in Portland's downtown to offset the closure of the city's Central Library. 

Multnomah County Library at UO Portland is located at 2800 NE Liberty, room 120, Mon-Sat 1-6 pm, multcolib.org