Deschutes County has grown. Deschutes Public Library is growing with it.
Posted By: Tina Walker Davis
Date Posted: 7/22/2025
The word is out—Deschutes County is a desirable place to live. While growth can present challenges, it also provides remarkable opportunities for innovation in how we serve the community. In 2020, Deschutes County voters supported a bond measure to build, expand, and improve libraries across the county, and we’ve renovated libraries in La Pine, Sunriver, and Sisters, and built a new library in Redmond.
We are now in the final phase of the bond projects, with a focus on libraries in Bend.
What’s happening with libraries in Bend? 
Central Library at Stevens Ranch: The new Central Library at Stevens Ranch is under construction at 61956 SE Santorini Street, just off 27th Street and the Wilderness Way roundabout in east Bend. Once construction is complete, we will begin moving in staff, furnishings, books, and other materials. We anticipate opening to the public in late spring 2026. Learn more about this new library and stay up-to-date with opening plans at dpl.pub/futurestevensranch.
Downtown Bend Library: The Downtown Bend Library will temporarily close for an extensive remodel starting in spring 2026 when the Central Library at Stevens Ranch is ready to open. With administrative functions moving from the Downtown Bend Library to the Central Library at Stevens Ranch, the Downtown Bend Library will be remodeled to increase space for public use. The Downtown Bend Library’s remodel is expected to be complete in spring 2027. Learn more about the remodel at dpl.pub/futuredowntownbend.
East Bend Library: The last day of service at the East Bend Library was Saturday, November 15, 2025. The East Bend Library is the only building in our library system that isn’t owned by Deschutes Public Library. Its lease ends in December 2025. The new Central Library at Stevens Ranch is located less than two miles to the southeast of the East Bend Library’s location and will improve access to collections, programs, and resources for east Bend residents.
Libraries in Bend: Timeline* (*Please note that all dates are estimates.)
February 2, 2026 - Downtown Bend Library’s second floor closes to prepare for remodel
February 2-April 10, 2026: Resources and services available on the first floor include the children's area, materials return and holds pick-up, self-check kiosks, copier/printer access, and limited computer access. There will be a small browsing collection, including new and hot titles.
April 11, 2026-spring 2027: Downtown Bend Library temporarily closed for remodel
April 2026 - Drive-thru service begins at Central Library at Stevens Ranch for holds pick-up and book returns.
Spring 2026 - Central Library at Stevens Ranch fully opens to the public; date to be determined.
Spring 2027: Downtown Bend Library re-opens to the public
About the Central Library at Stevens Ranch
The new library is designed to serve Central Oregon now and into the future, allowing for increased collections that can move more quickly between all libraries in the Deschutes Public Library System—from the northern reaches of the county to the south. The energy-efficient building, which is being built to LEED Gold standards, incorporates community meeting and study rooms, co-working spaces, a children’s discovery area, creative zones, a drive-thru, and more. The first floor also features a café—because libraries and community go together like books and coffee. See photos and learn more at dpl.pub/futurestevensranch
What else did the bond dollars fund?
Bond dollars were also used to fund the construction of a new, 40,000-square-foot-library in the heart of Redmond, which was completed in January 2025. Libraries in La Pine, Sisters, and Sunriver were all extensively remodeled and are now open to the public.