Rising temperatures may send you searching for a cool spot out of the heat. If you don’t have air conditioning or if it’s not working properly, and if you live in and around Poplar Bluff, you are welcome to stop by the Butler County Health Center or the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library during regular business hours.
Health center administer Robert Hudson said as the temperatures rise people are welcome to stop by the health center at 1619 N. Main St. to get out of the heat.
“We’ve had our first person,” Hudson said, “He stayed most of the day; took a nap, had something to drink and a brought a snack.”
While the health center lobby is not ideal and the space is limited, Hudson said, “We have a lot of foot traffic.”
Many of the center’s clients walk in for their services. The health center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Sue Crites Szostak, director of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, 318 N. Main St., said people are welcome to cool off in the library, but cannot bring in food or drinks.
“We have drinking fountains and rest rooms,” Szostak said. “The library has free WiFi and public computer access with current government ID.”
While avoiding the heat, Szostak said, “They can read newspapers and magazines and get a library card with current ID and proof of current address. If no library card, they can read library books in the library.”
The Poplar Bluff Library is open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
There were more deaths in the United States last year caused by heat than tornados, hurricanes, lightning and winter weather combined. On average, there are 100 heat-related deaths in the U.S. each year according to the National Weather Service.
Other areas listed on the state emergency management website offering spots to stay out of the heat include:
• Fisk Community Library, 508 Garfield St., Fisk;
• Qulin Senior Center, 235 Second St., Qulin, open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday;
• Naylor Library, 105 Kelsy St., Naylor;
• Puxico Public Library, North Hickman Street;
• Puxico Senior Center, 335 N. Harty St., Puxico, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday;
• Williamsville Senior Center, Route 1, Highway 49, Williamsville, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday;
• Campbell, Mo., Branch Library, 404 W. Grand, 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.