'It's a safe haven,' unhoused community raises concerns over main library closing up to one year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The downtown branch of the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) will be closed up to a year for renovations.

The renovations are part of an $8 million renovation that will add more than 16,000 sq. feet of usable space in the historic building, a fully-accessible entrance to the building, renovate and reopen the third floor, and expand meeting and study spaces.

Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Monday that starting Dec. 1, the main library will be closed for up to 12 months.

"Let me be clear, this was the absolute last thing I or anyone else wanted to do," Greenberg said. "But after we questioned the contractors about other alternatives, it became very clear that this was the only prudent option. It became clear that keeping the doors open to the public during construc