Save Our Library, Renovate and Remodel!

Lake Oswego Library Project 2026

As of June 2026, the LO City Council has approved moving forward with a project to evaluate building a new library.   The City Council and library staff believe that the existing library facility has reached the end of its useful life due to seismic, water intrusion, building system, accessibility, and capacity deficiencies.  

One of the City’s goals for 2026 is to “Develop a strategy for an expanded and modern library facility, prioritizing West side of town and urban renewal funding options, allowing it to serve as an all-ages and all-activities community center.”

This project involves setting up two community task forces: 

1. The Site Reuse Task Force will assist City Council in developing and analyzing reuse scenarios for the existing site on 4th and D, after the library relocates.  Here is a link to the City’s web page with information on this task force and reference materials.  It is scheduled to meet approximately 6 times between August 2026 and April 2027.  The task force meetings are considered public meetings, so anyone can attend and listen to the discussion.  They are scheduled for the following dates, from 7-9 pm, at the LO Library:  August 26, Sept 30, Nov 18, January 27, February 17, and April 28.  

2. The Future Library Task Force will refine site evaluation criteria, identify potential properties, and make scope and site recommendations for a potential new library to City Council.  Here is a link to the City's web page with information on this task force.  It is scheduled to meet from Fall 2026 through Fall 2027.  Applications for the Future Library Task Force can be submitted until August 28, 2026 at 5 pm.  

The City's general website with information on these two task forces and planning for the future of the library is https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/library/future-library

A group of First Addition neighbors have set up a website to provide information about the option of renovating the existing library, rather than tearing it down and relocating it.  This group will be advocating that the City further explore the renovation option, either as part of the two task forces, or as a separate project.  This website is friendsoffirstaddition.com.   

Helpful Links:

• 2023 Community Survey

• 2023 Library Visioning

• Watch the 2024 committee testimony to city council (time stamp 35:00) 

• 2024 Seismic Evaluation & General Facilities Condition Assessment Report  (start on page 116)

• May 19, 2026 City Council meeting – presentation materials

• June 2, 2026 City Council meeting Written Report to Council, Presentation materials, Resolution to establish Site Reuse Task Force

Take Action:

• Join the Site Reuse Task Force

• Write an email to the Lake Oswego City Council at CouncilDistribution@lakeoswego.city

• Write a letter to the Lake Oswego Review editor at email@lakeoswegoreview.com or here

• Learn more about the process to make library decisions

• Email libraryvisioning@lakeoswego.city with questions

Talking points:

• Our library has a 92% resident satisfaction according to the 2023 Community Survey.

• Residents stated number one library priority is renovation and seismic upgrades also according to the 2023 Community Survey.

• The 2023 Library Visioning study's consultant recommended the library be renovated and a second library added to Lake Grove. 

• Renovation and seismic upgrades will extend the library building's life 40-50 years!

• Renovation would cost $10-15 million, building a new library would cost $85-99 million.

• The Urban Renewal District (URD) funding the city is proposing is not free money. URD takes property tax money that would go into the general fund- which pays for all city services like roads, police, fire, public works and yes, our library- and sends it to URD projects only.  This can last for decades. The services are still needed and have to be covered by raising fees or reducing the city service levels.

• The library can partner with the recently renovated and under-utilized Adult Community Center (ACC) to provide event space. This facility is only one block away. The Oak Room seats 130 people. But currently the ACC closes at 4:30pm weekdays and all day on weekends.

• The library should extend its operating hours to meet the needs of all ages. Reinstate the previous hours and stay open until 9pm weeknights.  

The FAN/FH Board will continue to add links on this website to relevant materials and updates on this library project and the work of the Site Reuse Task Force.   The Board encourages interested First Addition neighbors to attend the monthly FAN/FH board meetings, and continue to check the city web page for updates.