Jefferson Library Concept Design

Jefferson, Oregon

In 2010, the community of Jefferson, Oregon, decided they needed a new library. The Friends of the Jefferson Library formed to create a vision for a new library and civic meeting room. After a passionate fundraising and grant proposal effort, the Jefferson Library is now under construction.

The former Jefferson Library was located in the historic Jacob Conser House (1854) in Jefferson, Oregon. It occupied roughly 1,000 sf in a building shared with other municipal functions and could not serve the needs of the growing local population. The new 4,000-sf library is a library for the 21st century that provides multi-media resources for the community with the capability of supporting current and future technologies. Built-in flexibility for the organization of collections and activities anticipate future expansion. A variety of seating, good lighting, adjustable window controls, absorbent surfaces (for noise), operable windows, and support workspace for staff will produce a good place to read, study, and work. A simple, commonsense approach to energy efficiency was adopted and includes maximizing daylight, high R-value insulation, efficient heating systems, options for photovoltaics on a south sloping roof, and low-maintenance, native species for landscaping.

The new library is a source of community identity and pride. The exterior is designed to be welcoming with an outdoor public plaza and front porch. A civic meeting room for public meetings and library events—as well as exhibit and display areas that showcase local history, culture, and art—will make the library a resource for life-long learners of all ages. Adjacent to the City Hall, the Jefferson library contributes to the vitality of downtown.