The Urbana Free Library will open one hour later and close one hour earlier most days during renovations, which start August 1.
Communications and Development Manager Lyndzie Taylor said the paint, carpet and furniture on the first floor and ground floor were “well-loved.”
“We’re excited to honor the history of the library whilst modernizing some of those spaces.”
The library is one of the oldest public libraries in the state at over 150 years old. The library will renovate the welcome desk on its first floor as well as the Megan’s Room play area on the ground floor.
“Megan’s room is a multi-level play area that is used for programs and story times for children,” Taylor said. “It was part of a project with one of our donors to the Urbana Free Library Foundation in honor of their daughter, and her name was Megan.”
In addition to books, the library offers modern resources, like its “Library of Things.”
“It’s a collection of items that you can check out that are not books or media materials,” Taylor explained. “There you can check out things like a metal detector, or you can check out a guitar, or you can check out a projector or a karaoke machine.”
The library will be adjusting its hours when construction starts next month. On Mondays through Thursdays, the building will be open from 10 am- 8 pm — opening an hour late and closing an hour early.
The library will have similar changes in hours on Fridays and Saturdays and will be open for an additional hour on Sundays.
The project is funded by several sources: the City of Urbana, Friends of the Urbana Free Library, the Urbana Free Library Foundation, and private donors. Engberg Anderson did the design and Barber & DeAtley, Inc. will do the construction.
Taylor says the renovation is expected to wrap up in December 2025.