IU, Cook, Catalent, other businesses, schools: What will be closed during solar eclipse?

Brian Rosenzweig, The Herald-Times
Updated ·4 min read

Editor's note: This story will be updated. If your business is modifying hours for the eclipse and you would like to be included in this list, contact Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com.

Bloomington's major employers and popular service providers have prepared for the April 8 total solar eclipse by adjusting their hours of operation for the big day.

Some are closing entirely and others are changing their schedules slightly around the time of totality. Here’s what you need to know about how Bloomington establishments are going to operate for the day of the eclipse.

Indiana University Bloomington

The Sample Gates at Indiana University on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
The Sample Gates at Indiana University on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

Indiana University canceled classes on April 8, but a limited number of staff will be required to be physically present on campus to support important functions and events such as food service and the Hoosier Cosmic Celebration.

IU Health, Monroe hospitals

IU Health Bloomington building in 2022.
IU Health Bloomington building in 2022.

Indiana University Health Bloomington and Monroe Hospital will be open on the day of the eclipse and no changes to hours of operation or shift changes have been announced.

Monroe County Public Library

A patron heads into the Monroe County Public Library on East Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington.
A patron heads into the Monroe County Public Library on East Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington.

According to MCPL’s website, all branch locations will be closed for the April 8 eclipse.

Cook Medical

Cook Group Inc. is an American privately held company based in Bloomington, Indiana, and primarily involved in manufacturing of medical devices.
Cook Group Inc. is an American privately held company based in Bloomington, Indiana, and primarily involved in manufacturing of medical devices.

A representative from Cook Medical said the company will be open but may adjust its shift change times.

City of Bloomington Parking Garages

The top floor of Bloomington's downtown parking garages will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians on Monday.
The top floor of Bloomington's downtown parking garages will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians on Monday.

The city's four parking garages, at Fourth Street, Seventh and Walnut streets, Morton Street, and the Trades District, will be open on the day of the eclipse, with several key modifications. The city will not allow public access to rooftops for either pedestrians or vehicles on April 8. All city-owned parking garages will also charge a special $10 per-vehicle rate, although existing monthly passes will be honored. The city also said it's anticipating challenges to credit card processing due to the influx of visitors and data usage in Bloomington and is encouraging visitors to bring cash.

College Mall

College Mall entrance
College Mall entrance

College Mall will have normal operating hours. Eclipse watchers should not park at the mall because security will be monitoring parking overnight and throughout the day of the eclipse.

Catalent

Catalent in April 2022.
Catalent in April 2022.

A spokesperson from Catalent said the company is still finalizing plans for the day of the eclipse. At the time of publication, Catalent has not announced any changes to hours of operation or shift changes.

Simtra

Jama Moody works on a syringe line at Simtra BioPharma Solutions on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2023.
Jama Moody works on a syringe line at Simtra BioPharma Solutions on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2023.

Simtra will be open on the day of the eclipse and had not announced any changes to hours of operation or shift changes at the time of publication.

Monroe County Community School Corp.

Bloomington High School South entrance.
Bloomington High School South entrance.

MCCSC canceled classes on April 8 and said on its website that all extracurricular activities and sports events are canceled, and all of its buildings will be closed.

Richland-Bean Blossom School Corp.

A student heads into Edgewood High School in August 2020 for the first day of classes. (Rich Janzaru /Herald-Times)
A student heads into Edgewood High School in August 2020 for the first day of classes. (Rich Janzaru /Herald-Times)

All RBBSC schools will be closed on April 8, and buildings and roadways on campus will be closed.

U.S. Postal Service

A vehicle pulls into the parking lot of the Bloomington post office on Walnut St.
A vehicle pulls into the parking lot of the Bloomington post office on Walnut St.

The U.S. Postal Service locations in Bloomington will be open and have normal hours of operation on April 8.

City of Bloomington

City Hall will be closed on the day of the eclipse, but city services will remain open.

Monroe County government and courts

Monroe County government, including the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center and Monroe County Courthouse, will be closed on April 8.

Sycamore Land Trust preserves

Steve Dunbar, left, and Bill Murphy, look for whatever was captured in a net near Beanblossom Creek during the June 4, 2022, bioblitz at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve.
Steve Dunbar, left, and Bill Murphy, look for whatever was captured in a net near Beanblossom Creek during the June 4, 2022, bioblitz at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve.

Sycamore Land Trust said while it won't officially close its preserves, they're asking people not to come on the day of the eclipse, as they won't be hosting any events and warn visitors could end up trapped in traffic gridlock.

Ivy Tech Bloomington Community College

Ivy Tech Community College in April 2022.
Ivy Tech Community College in April 2022.

Ivy Tech's Bloomington campus, as well as its other campuses across the state, will operate virtually on April 8.

Waste Reduction District of Monroe County Recyling Centers

The Waste Reduction District of Monroe County's five recycling centers and its administrative office will be closed on April 8.

YMCA of Monroe County

Y facilities are regularly sanitized and an electrostatic disinfection device helps to keep surfaces germ-free.
Y facilities are regularly sanitized and an electrostatic disinfection device helps to keep surfaces germ-free.

The YMCA of Monroe County will be closed from Saturday, April 6 through April 8, and will reopen on Tuesday, April 9.

Twin Lakes Recreation Center

Twin Lakes Recreation Center will be closed on April 8.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army's thrift store and office will be closed on April 8. The thrift store will also be closed on Saturday, April 6. Church service on Sunday, April 7 will be held online. Facilities will reopen on April 9.

Owen County State Bank

Owen County State Bank locations will be closed on April 8.

Bloomingfoods

Bloomingfoods East and Bloomingfoods Near West will be closed April 8.

Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IU, City Hall, MCCSC, RBB, YMCA all closed Monday for solar eclipse