A campaign group is calling on Nottingham City Council to refrain from potentially bringing the axe down on three of its libraries so they can be used as "warm havens" this winter. Despite new Prime Minister Liz Truss revealing plans to cap energy bills at £2,500, many households will still struggle over the winter months, with bills having risen from £1,277 just a year ago.
As such, libraries may therefore be the only places available for some to keep warm. Organisations, such as the Libraries Connected charity, have already stated libraries and museums should begin preparing to be used as warm spaces and called upon the Government to fund local authorities so this can be done.
In Nottingham, however, there are some issues. The central library in Angel Row has been closed for more than two years, with its replacement not expected to open until the Summer of 2023, and as part of the Labour council's progress towards financial stability, three of its libraries may still be closed.
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The Save Nottingham Libraries group had planned to put questions to the council during a meeting on Monday, September 12, however, this did not take place in a public forum due to all but essential business being halted following Queen Elizabeth II's death. These questions were related to the pressing issues surrounding energy bills and inflation which has seen food prices soar by more than 10%.
Des Conway from the libraries campaign says: "We are aware of several local authorities across England preparing to deal with this need, using their libraries as ‘warm havens’, and also providing additional furniture and extending opening hours."
The city council recently detailed five options to save the Basford, Aspley and Radford-Lenton libraries from closure, but concerns were then raised after councillors argued the authority was providing a network of libraries which meet the needs of the city's citizens, at a time when one is yet to open and three remain under threat.
A successful restructure of frontline services also means closing the three sites would only save a remaining £79,000 each year and the campaign says the council should simply "bite the bullet".
The Libraries Connected charity, which represents, supports and promotes public libraries, has also published a report which states vulnerable people have been using libraries more regularly as a way to stay warm. Chief executive Isobel Hunter added: “Public libraries have always offered a warm safe space to those who need it, but the energy crisis means demand is likely to be much higher over the colder months.
"Our research shows that over 80% of library leaders expect an increase in people using libraries to keep warm this winter. Many are already preparing for this, for example by installing extra desks and comfier chairs.
"Library services are ready and willing to respond but they must be adequately funded and supported to fulfil this vital community role. As well as a warm space, many of our member services will be offering additional services, such as hot drinks, warm clothes and advice on managing bills, often in partnership with local charities."
It is understood Nottingham City Council will be detailing options in the coming weeks.
Mr Conway said: “Our campaign is now deploying the cost of living card in this Game of Top Trumps, with this metaphorical elephant in the room now changing everything. At a time when other local authorities are discussing how best to utilise their library services to help tackle this crisis, now is not the time for Nottingham City Council to close any libraries.
"All of the emerging evidence suggests that the council now has to bite the bullet, reverse the intention to close these three historic libraries, and hopefully in the process extend the opening hours as well, to help local citizens faced with the horrendous cost of living choices, literally between eating or heating.”
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