March IO, 2010 <r,’c |Jnrtlanò (0hsvruer Page 3 IN S ID E Kenton Gets its Own Library O pinion page 6-7 IL L aw K J ustice page 8-9 tsR IMIIIAISHISI page 10-13 PIL A llsta rs C lassifieds A uto R eview H ealth M atters page 18-19 F o o d page 20 page 14 page 15-16 page 17 Branch designed as community hub by J ake T homas T he P ortland O bserver A fter countless co n v ersa tions, a petition circulated by neighbors, and a bond levy, north Portland residents are b ein g serv ed by a new M ultnom ah C ounty L ibrary branch in the Kenton Neighbor hood. This part o f town hasn’t had a nearby library since 1975, when budget cuts caused branch closures at nearby University Park and Vernon in northeast Portland. In recent years, north Portland residents began lobby ing the Library Advisory Board to reopen a local branch. In 2006, voters passed a five- year operating levy that included specific language for new li braries in North Portland and East County. Multnomah County Commis sioner Jeff Cogen, who repre sents north and northeast Port land, said getting the new li brary up and running was a priority. But when he met with residents, w ho’ve become ac customed to nearly every gov ernment service being slashed, he admits they were skeptical. Cogen said that the library, located in retail space at 8226 N. Denver Ave., was intention ally sited in the heart of Kenton’s burgeoning business district, photo by J ake T homas /T he P ortland O bservi with the intent that library pa Visitors check out the Kenton library, the newest branch o f the trons will stop by local busi Multnomah County Library system. nesses. “It’s so wonderful to think p opular new title that the that this wonderful resource will w on’t have to wait weeks fo be at our fingertips,” said An Miles also said that he aims 1 gela M oos, the chair o f the have a pro-active staff that at Kenton Neighborhood Associa tively helps patrons. tion. “ L ib raries are m ore tha In true Portland style, the books,” added Cogen. “They’r nearly $1.8 million and 20,000 21 century community hubs.’ book facility is environmentally- The new branch also has friendly. The walls are com community meeting space tha posed o f wood from back when features the art o f local artis it was Cyril S. Kenyon Hard Marlene Bauer on the glass pan ware store. The carpets are els th a t has d e p ic tio n s o made from recycled materials, Portland’s landscape. and a deliberate effort was made It also includes more than 21 to prevent using any volatile computer terminals for publii Kenton Library Administrator chemicals during construction. David Miles use. David Miles, the administra An official grand opening wil tor at the Kenton branch, said cated to movies and music, and take place on Saturday, Marc! that the library will include many will have a focus on popular 13 beginning at 10 a.m. wit! o f the same features at other titles. It’ll also have a “lucky live jazz music, a dedicatior libraries and a couple new ones day” shelf that will feature best cerem ony, free treats, a Dr as well. sellers that can’t be put on re Seuss celebration, and othei An entire wall will be dedi- serve, so patrons might find a events.