The Urbana Free Library Board of Trustees on July 8 approved a temporary reduction in public hours to allow renovation work, closing the building July 31 and Aug. 1 and reducing daily open hours thereafter while maintaining staff pay via shift consolidation.
Board members said the changes are intended to create uninterrupted windows for construction and to limit disruption to services. The board voted in favor after staff described plans to double up desk coverage where possible so employees would not lose hours even though the library’s total public-facing weekly hours would fall from 70 to 59.
Board members and staff said the library would maintain phone and email services during posted hours and that increased desk coverage could make phone and reference services faster. Staff indicated some scheduled programs may be shifted by a few minutes (for example, a 10 a.m. story time might move to 10:15 a.m.) or otherwise modified to fit the new schedule.
The board’s motion to approve the temporary hours passed by voice vote; there were no recorded no votes. Staff said the temporary schedule remains in effect “through construction” and that library leadership will widely publicize the new hours if the board’s positive vote stands.
Trustees asked whether staff had been consulted about the changes. According to the director, staff negotiation representatives were briefed in a meeting the prior week and had an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns; staff reported moving forward after that discussion.
The board emphasized the library is preparing the physical space for renovation and that some areas may appear austere as staff and facilities prepare for work. The director said furniture would not be removed and that decisions about space and program adjustments are being made with patron experience and budget considerations in mind.
Details and clarifications from the meeting:
- Closure dates: July 31 and Aug. 1, 2025 (board approved temporary schedule beginning July 31).
- Change in weekly public hours: from 70 total hours to 59 total hours, achieved by reducing Monday–Saturday hours by two each day and adding one hour on Sunday.
- Staff hours: staff hours will not be cut; management plans to double up coverage where feasible to preserve employee hours.
- Phone/reference services: will be monitored during posted hours; staff expect phone coverage to be maintained or improved because of doubled desk coverage.
- Programming: some programs may be shifted slightly in start time or delivery format; programming and outreach staff are coordinating changes.
The board’s action is intended to allow renovation work to proceed with minimal patron presence in areas under construction and to preserve staff compensation by reorganizing shift coverage. The board directed staff to finalize public communications and to return with any needed updates at a future meeting.