Deschutes Public Library Director Todd Dunkelberg has undergone a glow-up in promoting the new Redmond Public Library, which opened to the public Jan. 27.

Using a script full of Gen Z slang — including the phrase glow-up — he took viewers on a tour of the 40,000-square-foot space for the library system’s social media platforms. With 78,000 likes on Instagram and 674,000 views on TikTok as of Wednesday morning, the video has certifiably gone viral.

Dunkelberg showed off the library’s patio, teen space, bookshelves, artwork and more, all while referring to patrons as “girly pops” and telling them they can “spill the tea” in the new coworking space. The floating staircase was mentioned, as was Seattle artist John Grade’s “Sage” sculpture. Dunkelberg sat on a table to proclaim that the new civic patio has “no thoughts, just vibes.” He concluded by saying people “just don’t understand the generation like I do.”

Museum organizers and directors giving tours using Gen Z slang is not a new trend. The Vancouver Maritime Museum in Canada and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston have both celebrated their institutions with a slang-filled script. Deschutes library staff figured they could have some fun and show off the Redmond library’s new features at the same time.

“(A staff member) came up with a fun script, we ran it by a 22-year-old to check the vibes, and then asked Todd to play along,” wrote Communications Director Tina Davis in an email. “We have a phenomenal videographer on staff, Michael, who was able to give Todd just enough direction to make sure he had the gist of things, but Todd didn’t get the script until we were ready to shoot. And as they would say in Gen Z parlance: Todd ate and left no crumbs. He nailed most of the deliveries in one shot. Folks have asked for a blooper reel, but Todd did too well for bloopers.”

The reception toward the Redmond library has been positive, she said. Judging by the comments on Instagram, it will be receiving new visitors very soon thanks to the video.

“Todd sees and understands the value in getting the word out in a variety of ways. Sometimes a straight-laced message will work just fine, but on other occasions some humor and riding a trend can really help us get information to the community about all of the free resources and services available to folks in Deschutes County,” Walker wrote.

“Thankfully, Todd is almost always up for whatever new idea we may throw at him; he’s such a great sport.”

A $195 million bond measure from 2020 supports the Deschutes Public Library system’s efforts to remodel or rebuild many of its libraries, including the one in Redmond. Many of the elements new to each of the libraries were requested by the public during the six-year planning process.

The Central Library at Stevens Ranch is under construction and will open in April 2026. The Downtown Bend Public Library will undergo renovations after it opens. The lease on the East Bend Public Library runs out at the end of 2025, and the collection and staff will move to the Central Library afterwards. The Sunriver, Sisters and La Pine libraries have all undergone renovations and are open.