Update on MRL Renovation Status and Operational Changes
On May 4, 2026, Morrisson-Reeves Library will close the lower-level Information Services Area and transition services currently offered there to the main floor of the library and through expanded outreach in the community. This shift follows a 2024 assessment that identified structural, site, and safety issues within the building. The library presented a bond proposal to the Wayne County Council in August 2025 to fund a comprehensive renovation. The request was not approved, and the library is currently unable to proceed with the full repairs of the building.
Due to concerns that directly impact the Information Services Area, we can no longer safely keep this area open to the public.
Changes to Building Access and Amenities
Several changes will take effect this May:
- Service Relocations: Printing, faxing, genealogy and local history collections, and magazine/periodical collections will move to the main floor.
- Discontinued Amenities: Due to physical space limitations on the main floor, the library will no longer provide access to the computer lab, private study rooms, or the Information Services Conference Room.
- Rooms not affected: This closure will not affect the Bard Room, Kleinknecht Board Room, or Supervised Visitation Room, which will remain open for community use.
Next Steps
Morrisson-Reeves Library has been the recipient of donations over the decades, which were reserved to supplement the bond during building renovations. Without full funding for the renovation, the library will use these donated funds to address a portion of the building’s repair needs. These measures are short-term solutions to allow the library to remain in the building as long as possible, but will not address all long-term infrastructure and operating issues, nor the updates requested by the community as discovered throughout the Comprehensive Building Masterplan.
“Our primary focus is the safety and well-being of our patrons and staff while maintaining our commitment to providing the essential resources our community relies on every day,” said Dena Little, Library Director. “We are taking the necessary steps now to ensure we can continue serving Richmond from our downtown home while we work toward a long-term solution for our building.”
Library leadership remains committed to a full renovation of the building and maintaining its presence in downtown Richmond. In Indiana, libraries utilize bonds to fund large capital expenses, and ultimately, the library will need to issue a bond in the future to pay for the necessary long-term renovations. By consolidating operations on the main floor and addressing immediate safety needs, Morrisson-Reeves Library remains dedicated to providing a safe and accessible environment for all patrons.