Humanities Center: Astoria Oregon Public Library Renovation

FAIN: CHA-268725-24

City of Astoria (Astoria, OR 97103-4524)
Jimmy Pearson (Project Director: May 2019 to February 2023)
Suzanne Myers Harold (Project Director: February 2023 to present)

Renovation of the library’s lower level to create a humanities center comprising an archives space, meeting and conference rooms, a gallery, and a media lab.

The Astoria Oregon Public Library Foundation requests $750,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support construction costs for the renovation of the lower level of the Library and the creation of a humanities center. The requested $750,000 would match $3 million in funds that the Foundation will raise. The combined total of $3.75 million equals 54% of the total renovation costs for the entire renovation of the Library. The renovation of the lower level and the creation of the humanities center is part of the total renovation of the Library. The City and the Foundation have committed to raising the funds for the entire renovation estimated at $6.98 million. The humanities center will increase the number of people who benefit from the humanities programs and collections at least three-fold in the near term, while building an appreciation for the humanities in future generations, and ongoing and developmental financial support over the long term.