Before closing for remodeling, the Central Multnomah County Library struggled with homeless patrons who used the facility to hangout, sleep, bathe, shave, wash their hair, and relieve themselves, usually in the bathrooms. Taxpaying patrons first complained about smelly patrons, the presence of “companion” dogs, open drug use, and loud snoring, and then discovered online borrowing. 

“Even though the homeless don’t pay taxes, or even overdue fines, they have a constitutional right to occupy the library,” Second Assistant Librarian Michah Bookman said. “I once saw one of them reading, so there’s that.” 

Bookman said that the $13 million bond levy approved by voters was used to address these problems. “All the furniture is now covered in Naugahyde, which is easy to clean and stands up well to bleach, disinfectants, and even steam cleaning.” Other changes to the library include all-tile bathrooms that can be hosed out, doggy poop bag dispensers on every floor, uncomfortable chairs to discourage sleeping, and racks with Narcan for overdoses. 

The remodeling also added additional spigots to the outside of the building to facilitate hosing human waste off the sidewalks, shutters to cover windows during riots, and a spray-paint resistant coating on the walls.

Bookman shared that the new patron search policy might be the most effective change. “Now all patrons are searched for drugs when they enter, and if they don’t have any we give them some. We find stoned patrons are easier to manage than those fighting each other over a fentanyl pill or two.”

When asked if he was worried about getting prosecuted for giving out drugs, Bookman responded, “In Portland? Get real!”

Asked if he thought the remodel would bring back housed patrons who paid for the remodel, Bookman replied, “Well, they don’t come downtown to shop or eat, so you really think they’ll come for a book?”