Lake Oswego residents who want a say in the future of the city's library site can submit written comments before the Library Site Reuse Task Force meets Wednesday, Nov. 18.

The third meeting runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth St.

No public comment will be taken during the meeting itself, but residents can email written comments to [email protected] at least 48 hours beforehand. The subject line should read "Library Site Reuse Task Force."

The task force is a temporary, mayor-selected and council-appointed group of up to 20 community members, according to the city's project page.

It draws representatives from three neighborhood associations, the downtown business community, the Library Advisory Board, the Planning Commission, the DEI Advisory Board and other city boards.

The group is charged with developing reuse scenarios for the current library site, narrowing them to three options, and delivering a final recommendation to the City Council.

The task force is scheduled to meet roughly six times between August 2026 and April 2027, according to the city.

Why the library is moving

The existing library building has reached the end of its useful life, the city states, facing worsening seismic, water intrusion, building system and accessibility problems. Service demand exceeds what the current site can sustain.

The building, completed in 1983, is too small to accommodate the community's library needs, the Lake Oswego Review reported in July.

The City Council is leaning toward building a new library at a different location, prioritizing the west side of town. Urban renewal has been identified as a possible funding mechanism.

At a July 7 study session, councilors weighed whether to sell the existing site. Library Director Melissa Kelly recommended a new facility on 2.5 to 3.5 acres, large enough for a two-story building more than twice the current library's size, with parking and usable outdoor space.

Councilors split on what to do with the old property. Councilor Trudy Corrigan said she preferred the reuse to generate revenue but suggested the task force also consider options that bring non-monetary value. Councilor Massene Mboup said the site should generate revenue for the new library, which would mean selling the property, the Review's July coverage noted.

Owner's representative authorized

The council voted Oct. 20 to authorize the hiring of Shiels Obletz Johnsen as the owner's representative for the new library project, the Lake Oswego Review reported. The firm will manage site selection, design, acquisition and financial planning. The city capped the contract at under $299,925, with payment based on hours worked.

The city's 2026 Council goal calls for developing "a strategy for an expanded and modern library facility, prioritizing the West side of town and urban renewal funding options, allowing it to serve as an all-ages and all-activities community center," according to the city. Analysis and decision phases could extend through 2028 and beyond, with design and construction potentially running from 2029 to 2031, according to the Review's July report.

For questions about the Nov. 18 meeting, residents can contact Donna Harlan at [email protected] or 503-697-6583.