Construction Specifier: Salem Public Library
Salem Public Library, Salem, Oregon
Oregon library renovation marks start of bright, new chapter
January 30, 2023
The Salem Public Library’s downtown location in Oregon recently underwent a transformation to bring daylight into the center of the fortress-like building and reorganize its spaces for greater community involvement.
The renovation was triggered by the need to bring the Brutalist-style building up to modern standards, to enhance its seismic structural resilience and accessibility, as well as implement life-safety updates. The 8,919-m2 (96,000-sf) concrete structure was built in 1970 and underwent an expansion in 1990. When funding came through for the renovation, the city and library also decided to address other challenges encountered by staff and library visitors.
