LA PINE, OR -- The La Pine library reopens next week, after a $4.5 million renovation. Chantal Strobel, with the Deschutes Public Library, says the project didn't add square footage, but the public has more space, "We’ve really opened up the library. We’ve taken down some walls, we’ve changed some of our doors - they’re now glass that open up, so we’ve combined the children’s area with the large meeting room. But we can also divide the area when needed, as well." There are more meeting rooms, a fireplace, an area for teens and more books. "And I think just overall, the library feels a lot more open. It’s been brought up to 21st century standards, with faster technology, better technology."
Strobel tells KBND News the La Pine branch, like others in the future, will also have an Early Learning Center for young children, "They can do interactive-type activities, either on their own or, when they’re really little, with a parent or a guardian. And it’s just - it could be life-changing. These things that we’ve placed in our Early Learning Discovery Centers help a child to begin to get ready to read."
A grand reopening celebration is planned for Saturday, October 14, from noon to 2 p.m. at the branch, located at 16425 1st Street. A ribbon cutting will take place at 12:15 p.m.
A temporary library opened in La Pine when construction began early in the year. But it was forced to close in June after a car crashed into the building, "So La Pine, of all of our libraries, had to endure the longest time of us being closed without service." Strobel says renovations at the Sisters branch were originally planned to be complete first. But after that crash, work shifted so La Pine could open sooner. The Sisters branch is now slated to reopen October 28. Once Sisters and La Pine are fully operational, Strobel says the Sunriver library will close for its renovation project.
Voters approved a bond in November of 2020 to remodel the La Pine, Sisters, Sunriver and downtown Bend branches, as well as reconstruct the Redmond library and build the new Stevens Ranch Road branch on the east side of Bend.
