North Powder’s new public library nears completion as city seeks librarian

The City of North Powder’s new library building, constructed adjacent to City Hall, has reached occupancy but won’t open for regular service until a librarian is hired and a shipment of bookcases and finishing touches arrive, city meeting minutes and local reporting show. Garrett Christensen of Elkhorn Media Group described the project as “just over two years in the making,” and noted occupancy has been obtained while a few items remain undone.

The project was funded largely by a $1.2 million Community Development Block Grant administered by Business Oregon and awarded in late 2023, city documents and reporting show. Officials unveiled a near-final design on Oct. 3, 2024, accepted construction bids in spring 2025 and broke ground on May 15, 2025 after earlier plans to convert an old city hall bay or former fire hall were abandoned because required seismic upgrades exceeded what the grant would cover.

Reporting and council records give differing descriptions of the finished footprint. Elkhorn Media Group describes the new building as a “modern, 2,000 square foot facility” with full ADA access including door openers, a single flat grade throughout the interior and accessible restrooms. Earlier coverage in the Baker City Herald during April 2023 said planning had aimed for a 2,300-square-foot expansion and noted the existing library at 290 E Street was only 770 square feet. The city’s as-built square footage and final site address remain items the council has listed for confirmation in its records.

City Council minutes and procurement notes list the remaining punch-list work. Sheetrock installation was under way and siding was scheduled to begin, but windows ordered for the project were returned for defects, creating about a one-week delay. Council authorized purchasing window blinds at an estimated $1,400 and 16-inch floating letters spelling “North Powder Library” at roughly $500, with installation to be completed in-house. A councilor also flagged poor-quality concrete near the new sewer lateral; staff placed that item on a correction list.

Staffing and programming remain central to bringing the new building into service. Elkhorn’s reporting says the most pressing task is hiring a librarian to operate the site. In April 2023 the library’s librarian was Maggie Guthrie, who organized fundraisers and community events such as bake sales, raffles, watermelon sales at the North Powder Farmers Market and a pancake breakfast planned for April 8, 2023; Guthrie noted at the time that “even $1 will help the project.” Council minutes show continued plans for community involvement, including exploring a Junior Board Member group of teenagers to advise on programs and materials.

Mayor John Frieboes framed the building as a local improvement project, saying, “It’s going to be very inviting. It fits in. It’s going to be new and so much better of a facility than what we had previously. We’re very fortunate to be able to get this block grant to be able to do that.” City Recorder Beth Wendt and Mayor Frieboes remain the officials to confirm outstanding details including the final square footage, the new building’s street address, the timetable for bookcase deliveries and a target public opening date once a librarian is on board. The city’s meeting minutes also note North Powder is an AA/EEO employer and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.