Portland’s Central library in the heart of the city’s downtown is by far its biggest branch. It also provides internet and other services to those who may be experiencing homelessness or just want to duck in to get out of the elements. Some bond funded renovations started last year, but now the building will close while various updates get completed. The Albina branch will be closing temporarily for construction later this week, followed by the North Portland branch in early April. The Holgate and Midland branches are currently closed for renovations.

Taxpayer backed bonds are also funding a huge brand new library in Gresham. Katie O’Dell has worked at the Multnomah County Library for much of her career and she’s currently the capital bond deputy director there. She joins us to tell us about what’s happening system-wide and the plans the library has made to backfill services while some of these critical facilities are getting remade.