Midwest Libraries Announce Closures, Renovations, YMCA Exit

Several public libraries across the Midwest are temporarily closing for significant renovations starting in August 2025. The Owasso Public Library in Oklahoma will close for one month on August 2 for apartment-over-library construction, with a temporary location opening September 2 and full services resuming at a new site by February 2027. Urbana Free Library in Illinois will briefly close for renovations, including a redesigned welcome desk and children's area, while curbside pickup remains available. The Henrietta Branch of the Jackson District Library in Pleasant Lake, Michigan, will close on August 2 for interior upgrades and is expected to reopen in early 2026, with the book drop remaining accessible. Additionally, the Versailles Branch of the YMCA of Darke County, Ohio, will permanently close on August 31, 2025, due to financial difficulties, but members may use other locations. These changes aim to improve facilities and adapt to financial challenges while maintaining services for the community.