Hillsdale Library Closing Again for More Upgrades

[August 13, 2026]

Lucky Day books are a special collection of high-demand, new, and bestselling books. They are available for in-person browsing with no holds and no wait.

Two years after a six-month closure for a bond-funded “refresh,” the Hillsdale branch of the Multnomah County Library will again close for additional work.

The branch will close on August 24 and is expected to reopen in early December 2026.

Improvements include a new membrane and insulation for the roof (wood framing will remain), a new rooftop cooling unit, better lighting, and ADA upgrades.

Branch co-managers Amy Miller and Amy Scott told the Hillsdale News that the cooling system is "limping along" and urgently needs replacement. The roof was already on the 5-year capital plan for replacement once funding allowed. Leftover funds from the 2020 bond will allow both projects to move forward now, rather than at some unspecified future date. Other branches will see improvements from these surplus funds as well.

New LED lighting throughout the building will provide better light without additional heat. Miller and Scott said this will be especially notable in the stacks, where patrons have commented that it can get dark in the winter.

Other changes patrons will notice upon return are ADA “wave” sensors for touch-less door operation and new markings on the stairs in the vestibule to improve visibility.

Steps in the vestibule will get new markings for better visibility.

Staff will be temporarily reassigned to other duties during the closure, and all are expected to return.

Amy Scott has been co-administrator with Amy Miller for the past year. They explained that this is common at larger branches with larger staff. This arrangements allows for continuous administrative coverage seven days a week.

Patrons can log in to their library accounts at any time and change their hold delivery location for holds not filled before the closure. Otherwise, holds will continue to advance in the queue and will be filled at Hillsdale on reopening.

Other sites will remain open during the Hillsdale closure:

Capitol Hill Library: 10723 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219

Central Library: 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205

Sellwood-Moreland Library: 7860 SE 13th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

For help, call (503) 988-5123.

Telephone hours:

Monday: 10am - 6pm

Tuesday and Wednesday: 12pm - 8pm

Thursday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm

Sunday: 12pm - 6pm

All books will remain in the building, except for Lucky Day selections which will be distributed to other branches. Items that remain in the building won’t  show in the online catalogue.

Miller and Scott offered the “teaser” that all-new displays will be in place for reopening.

—Valeurie Friedman

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