History of the Lake Oswego Public Library
History of the Lake Oswego Public Library
For generations, the Lake Oswego Public Library has been a place where people come to read, learn, and connect. The Library has evolved alongside our community, adapting by offering new services and events, expanding access, and creating a space where all people feel welcomed.
A Legacy of Service
The Library has long served as a cornerstone of life in Lake Oswego, grounded in public service and guided by values of respect, trust, and excellence. Each chapter in the Library’s history reflects an ongoing commitment to serving the community and responding to changing needs over time.
A Timeline of Growth and Evolution
1914 – 1924: Founding Vision
The Library began as two volunteer-run collections, the Oswego Woman’s Club Library (1914) and the Oswego Library Association (1924). Both were supported by donated books and community volunteers, reflecting early local commitment to shared learning.
1930: First Publicly Funded Library
The City of Oswego agreed to publicly fund a library. The two volunteer libraries were merged, and Lucia Bliss became the City’s first librarian. A collection of 1,486 books was housed in City Hall, sharing space with the City Council.
1953: The Friends of the Library Group Organized
The Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library was established, to assist the Library in fulfilling its mission through advocacy, funding, promotion, and volunteer support.
1959 - 1962: Expansion to a Dedicated Facility
A growing collection of 13,000 items and demand for services highlighted the need for a larger space. A parcel of land was donated by John and Elizabeth Gray and a bond issue led to a new 7,400 square foot library at the corner of Fourth & D Streets. This new library was dedicated in May 1962. Dr. John R. Howard, president of Lewis & Clark College, gave the dedication address, marking a significant step in the Library’s growth.
1974: Emerging Capacity Issues
Expanded collections and rising community use had transformed the Library into a vibrant hub, while also creating the first significant space constraints. In 1974, a bond issue to expand the library was passed by citizens but construction was delayed until 1982, due to disagreements about the site location and building plans.
1983: The Current Building
Although widely supported, the final building plans were 23% smaller than voters approved in the 1974. Even so, the community welcomed a new 27,000-square-foot Library in August 1983, marking a major milestone in its growth and service. The opening was celebrated with Oregon’s Poet Laureate, William Stafford, reciting a poem: “…the nudge of a book and all of history crystallizes for a dazzled reader again and again…”
1986 - 1996: Concerns about Access and Space
Within a few years, concerns emerged about space, parking, and long-term capacity. The Library Growth Task Force in 1988, the Branch Library Site, Utilization & Design Committee in 1992, and the Library Building Program Report in 1996 consistently recommended a larger facility to meet growing needs of the community.
2006: Facility Assessment and Replacement Recommendation
The Independent Study of the Clackamas County Library System Facilities Assessment recommended the replacement of the current building because of the high level of use. That same year BOORA Architects recommended a 65,581 square foot library based on community use, demand for services, and growing library collections.
2012: City Council Proposed New Library Building Project
City Council referred a bond measure to voters to support a new Library facility of approximately 60,000 square feet as part of a downtown redevelopment project. While the measure was not approved, it represented an important community conversation about the Library’s future role, space needs, and long-term direction.
2023: Visioning and Strategic Direction
A Council-appointed Community Task Force, informed by broad public input and feedback received throughout the visioning process, developed a Vision Framework to describe the Library’s role, community needs, and future capacity. This framework directly informed the current Strategic Plan, shaping priorities around access, service, and future readiness.
2024: Seismic Evaluation and General Facilities Condition Assessment
An architectural and facilities assessment completed by CIDA identified important considerations for long-term safety, accessibility, and infrastructure needs. The report found that the Library requires significant upgrades to meet current seismic standards, improve ADA accessibility, and address aging building systems, including water intrusion and exterior deterioration (link to report). While some issues could be addressed through targeted repairs, many of the building’s needs are interconnected and tied to the structure itself. As a result, full remediation would require substantial renovation rather than isolated fixes. The estimated cost in 2024 of $9.7–$10.5 million reflects the investment needed to address these identified deficiencies and maintain the Library at its current size and service capacity. This investment would preserve the existing facility but does not include additional square footage, expanded services, or program changes to meet evolving community needs.
2025: Current Use and Community Priorities
The Library continues to operate within a 27,000-square-foot facility while providing a collection of more than 300,000 physical and digital items, circulating approximately 800,000 items annually. Community input gathered through a teen survey, Library Advisory Board work groups, and a comprehensive community survey shows high satisfaction with Library services. It also consistently identifies the Library facility as a top community priority and reinforces expectations for the Library to serve as a welcoming hub for connection, learning, and gathering.To meet growing demand, the Library has expanded access beyond its walls through outreach and enhanced digital services, including the launch of a new bookmobile. Last year, Library outreach efforts served 6,477 people across 60 outreach events. In 2025, the Library welcomed 174,149 visitors and offered 601 programs serving 22,597 participants. An additional 79 programs were held in community partner locations, reaching 5,068 participants, when demand exceeded available space.
2026: Meeting Today’s Needs and Planning for Tomorrow
Guided by community input, the Library is making meaningful progress on its 2024–2026 Strategic Plan (link to summary). As we look ahead to the next three years, community members were invited to share feedback and ideas. These responses will help the Lake Oswego Public Library continue meeting the evolving needs of our community for generations to come.