After nearly two years of construction, one of Southeast Portland’s beloved neighborhood libraries is officially back and it’s bigger, brighter, and built for the way Portlanders use community spaces today. We took a recent visit and the improved library has truly been designed to be a place where people of all ages can gather, learn, create, and connect.

Belmont Library, located at 1038 SE César E. Chávez Boulevard, reopened on August 15, 2026, after closing in September 2024 for a major renovation and expansion. The project was part of Multnomah County Library’s voter-approved 2020 Capital Bond, and Belmont holds a special place in that work: it is the final major bond project to reopen as a transformed library space.

For anyone who has missed this Southeast Portland staple, the new Belmont Library is more than a return, it’s a serious upgrade.

A Bigger, More Modern Belmont Library

The renovated Belmont Library is now more than twice its original size, expanding into a modernized space that still honors the character of the original 1924 brick building. The project preserved the original structure while adding a new, two-story addition, creating roughly 15,000 square feet of library space for the community. That extra room makes a big difference. Belmont has long been one of the busiest libraries in the system, and the expanded building is designed to better serve the surrounding neighborhoods with more room for kids, teens, programs, technology, and community gathering.

New Features to Explore

The new Belmont Library was shaped by extensive community and staff input, and the result is a building that feels less like a quiet book warehouse and more like a true neighborhood hub.

New features include:

An early learning and play space for children and families
A large youth space for kids and caregivers
A dedicated teen area designed for technology, creativity, studying, and connection
Two small and two large community rooms for meetings, library programs, and neighborhood use
Updated Wi-Fi and technology, including more laptops, iPads, and creative software for patrons
Modern self-checkout stations
An Automated Materials Handling system, helping books and other materials move through the system faster
A refreshed collection of about 17,000 books, DVDs, and CDs, with materials reflecting the cultural and language diversity of the neighborhood
Community-driven artwork, created in partnership with the Regional Arts & Culture Council
For families, remote workers, students, readers, and neighbors who simply need a welcoming third place, these improvements make Belmont Library a much more flexible and useful space.

A Library That Celebrates Local Art and Community

One of the most exciting parts of the new Belmont Library is the attention to local art and neighborhood identity. The library includes new artwork that reflects the surrounding community, including: A suspended sculpture in the teen area by artist Britt Howard. It also includes reading room wall installation by artist Emily Counts. These pieces help the library feel rooted in place, not just a rebuilt public building, but a space created with the community in mind.

Why This Matters for the Neighborhood

Libraries are one of those amenities that quietly shape daily life in a neighborhood. They give individuals and families a place to spend a rainy afternoon, students a place to study, remote workers a change of scenery, entrepreneurs access to free business resources, and neighbors a reason to gather.

For Southeast Portland, the return of Belmont Library is especially meaningful. After being closed since September 7, 2024, the library’s reopening restores a major community resource to the area.

Now, the neighborhood has its library back with more space, better technology, improved meeting areas, and more room for programming.

A New Chapter for a Classic Southeast Portland Landmark

Belmont Library has always been part of the fabric of Southeast Portland. Its reopening is a reminder of what makes Portland neighborhoods feel so livable: walkable amenities, public gathering places, thoughtful design, and community investment.

Whether you’re taking kids to the early learning space, reserving a meeting room, attending a class, picking up your next stack of books, or simply enjoying a quiet hour in a beautifully refreshed building, the new Belmont Library is worth a visit.

Find events and classes here!

And if you’re exploring Southeast Portland as a place to live, this is exactly the kind of neighborhood resource that makes an area feel connected, creative, and truly lived-in.

Learn more about Portland neighborhoods in our Neighborhood Guide