Most libraries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will again offer “warm banks” this winter as cost of living pressures continue, according to a survey.
Of the libraries surveyed, 93% are preparing to offer free, heated spaces for visitors during the cold months as part of a warm spaces scheme. The “warm hubs” initiatives began in 2022 when energy prices rose after the the Russia-Ukraine war began.
Among those libraries offering warm spaces, 79% expect demand to be higher or about the same as last year. No responding libraries said that they expect demand to be lower.
The research covered 57 libraries and was conducted by Libraries Connected, a charity representing the services in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.
“With temperatures dropping, and the price of essentials continuing to rise, it is a sad fact that many people will again be wondering how they will heat their homes this winter,” said Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected.
“Libraries will be there to offer a warm space and a warm welcome – not only to those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, but anyone who’s looking for company, conversation or advice,” she added. “And that’s on top of all the wonderful things libraries do every single day, for free. Once again our libraries are proving themselves to be a vital community resource.”
Of the libraries taking part in a warm spaces scheme, 74% will also host entertainment and cultural activities, such as board games, yoga and craft clubs, 70% will provide free hot drinks and 66% will run advice sessions on topics such as household budgeting. Some will also provide warm items, such as hot-water bottles and blankets, as well as menstrual and sanitary products.
51% said that they have not received or do not expect to receive additional funding to operate the warm banks. While 28% said that they have or will receive extra funding, 21% said that they do not know about funding provision.
Libraries Connected is a partner of Warm Welcome, which supports a network of more than 7,000 warm spaces across the UK. Research published in May found that more than half a million people accessed warm spaces during the previous winter.
“I was genuinely shocked and delighted at just how many libraries got involved in the Warm Welcome campaign last winter, and how creative they were in serving their communities and providing places of connection and belonging,” said campaign director David Barclay.
“My hope for this winter is that through engaging in Warm Welcome, libraries up and down the country can demonstrate what a crucial piece of our social infrastructure they truly are and can receive the recognition and support they so richly deserve,” he added.
The first warm spaces will open later this month, after clocks go back.
