Supporting thevulnerable this winter
Briefing note
September 2022

Introduction
Public libraries have always offered a warm safe space to those whoneed it, but the energy and cost-of-living crises means demand is likely
to be much higher this winter.
While the Energy Price Guarantee is hugely welcome, average energy
bills are still likely to be twice what they were last winter. And wecontinue to face the highest inflation in 40 years, with food being oneof the largest contributors.
Our survey of over 50 library leaders, carried out this month, foundthat nearly 60% are actively considering taking part in a “warm bank”
scheme, with many hoping to provide additional support such as hotdrinks, warm clothes and advice on managing bills.
Only 4% of library leaders expect to receive any extra funding for thisactivity, however. That makes it uncertain if, or for how long, they will
be able to provide it.
There is a clear need for dedicated funding for library services toprovide immediate and targeted help to those most in need, likely
in partnership with local charities, faith groups and communityorganisations.
The government has rightly emphasised the role of personal
responsibility in conserving energy and avoiding supply shortages.
Libraries have an important role here too, acting as a trusted sourceof information, practical support and guidance as we all try to savemoney and fuel this winter. This will build on the work of the Green
Libraries Partnership, of which we are a partner alongside CILIP, Arts
Council England, the British Library and Julie’s Bicycle.
We know that libraries are determined to support people through thedifficult months ahead, but without additional resources the number
they can help will be severely restricted. And it will be difficult, if not
impossible, for them to plan a programme of support for the wholewinter.
A relatively small investment across the library network could havea huge impact, allowing libraries to use their local knowledge andconnections to provide targeted support at this critical time.

Isobel Hunter MBE
Chief Executive
Libraries Connected2Why libraries?
Librarians are among Britain’s most trusted
professions, working hard to create welcomingand accessible spaces. For this reason, people inneed often feel more comfortable approachinga library than a council building or charity office.
Users know they can stay all day if they needto, with no one asking intrusive or difficult
questions.
Seeking help from a library is stigma-free.
There is no need to make an appointment andall library users are offered the same rangeof services, whatever their reason for being
there.

“The public library network gives
councils and government a key facility
in almost every community. Targeted
investment in them would undoubtedly
help communities as they deal with thechallenges posed by rising prices.
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson
Chair of LGA Culture, Tourism andSport Board

There are almost 3,000 public libraries inEngland. Located in our town centres, highstreets and villages, they are frequented bypeople of all ages and backgrounds. Public
libraries form a ready made network ofcommunity venues in every part of the country,with unrivalled local knowledge and wellestablished partnerships. They are also able toleverage other sources of funding through theirlocal authority, such as the holiday activitiesand food programme and the Housing Support
Fund, amplifying their impact and reach.

3Case studies
Northumberland

GLL

The library service in Northumberland is working
with Northumberland Communities Together a partnership between the county council andcommunity groups, established to lead theresponse to Covid - to create a network of Warm
Spaces and Places. Northumberland libraries
will offer a hot drink and biscuit in addition totheir usual range of services including books,
newspapers and magazines for all ages, free wifi,
PCs and phone charging. Libraries will also organise
activities to suit demand, such as dominoes,
communal jigsaws and lego, and users will be
encouraged to bring their own crafts and hobbies
with them.

GLL is a charitable social enterprise that operates
libraries in Dudley, Lincolnshire and the London
boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich and Wandsworth.
It is now making sure that all its libraries canbecome “warm havens” for people who may find it
difficult to heat their homes. GLL is reviewing eachof its library buildings and, if neccesary, introducing
new furniture to make them more comfortable forusers who may be spending long periods of time
there. Library staff are also increasing the numberof coffee mornings and afternoon tea sessions onoffer. A number of GLL libraries offer free lunches
for children during school holidays, working in
partnership with the local authority and charities,
and anticipate demand for these to increase. Some
GLL branches also act as collection centres forfoodbanks, partnering with them to make sure thatpeople collecting food can also have books.

North Tyneside
North Tyneside libraries plan to offer a “warmwelcome” this autumn and winter, promoting
their libraries as a place to come in the colder
weather. They will have hot drinks available and arelooking at a range of simple free activities, such as
crosswords and board games, as well as referring
customers to their regular events. The service isplanning to renew some of its comfortable furnitureand is also exploring having facilities for young
families, such as high chairs and bottle warmers.
Some North Tyneside libraries already share theirbuildings with the council’s customer service teamand have advice sessions from organisations like
Citizens Advice. The service is also buying new
stock on topics like budgeting.

Leeds
This winter, Leeds library service will be working
with its customer service partners in their combined
Community Hubs and Libraries to promote a
campaign around the slogan “A warm welcomeawaits”. The offer will focus on free refreshments
and activities to do in the library, especially forchildren and families. The Community Hubs andLibraries in Leeds offer a wrap-around service wheresupport with housing, council tax and benefits isoffered alongside standard library services.

4BarbicanThere will be a “warm winter welcome” campaign
to promote a network of Warm Spaces. These will
be places where people from across the City cancome together to stay warm and enjoy a cup oftea, a biscuit and a chat. They will include libraries,
community centres, churches and other private andpublic sector spaces. Some of these spaces will also
provide advice and information on reducing energy
consumption. The library service will be increasing
its capacity, offering activities and information andemphasising its role in helping people to fill out
forms (digital or paper) for benefit claims. Libraries
will be working closely with the City Advice
service to ensure people have access to the rightinformation and advice.

What support
could libraries
provide thiswinter?
Every public library will offer awarm space and a warm welcome
this winter. But many are aiming
to provide an additional layerof support targeted at thosestruggling with food, clothing
and energy bills. Activities andprojects that could by supported
by dedicated funding include:––––––

Extending opening hours
during the colder months
Offering complimentary hotdrinks and snacks
Running energy saving advice
sessions in partnership with alocal charity
Installing additional and more
comfortable seating to copewith increased demand andlonger stays
Working with an older
people’s charity to distribute
warm items such as blankets,
hot water bottles and wheat
bags
Purchasing high chairs, bottle
warmers and sterilisers foryoung families–––––

Purchasing new games,
puzzles and crafts to keep
users amused for long periods
Running after school
homework clubs andChristmas holiday activities
Training library workers as“energy champions” so they
are able to provide one-toone energy help and advice
Partnering with a local charity
to distribute home energy
packs (eg radiator reflectors,draught excluders, doubleglazing film)
Working with a community
transport service to bringolder people to the library for“knit and natter” sessions

5Survey data
Is your library service
actively consideringtaking part in a formal
warm bank scheme
this winter?

Don’t
know
3%

Has your participation
in a formal warmbank scheme been
confirmed?
Don’t
know
37%

No
47%

Yes
50%

Yes59%No4%

Have you received,or do you expect toreceive, additional
funding to provide
additional support
this winter?

Yes
4%

Will you be working
in partnership withanother organisation
to provide services tothose experiencing
fuel poverty thiswinter?

Don’t
know
51%

Don’t
know
45%

Yes
47%

No
45%

No8%

What additional support are
you planning to offer thoseexperiencing fuel poverty thiswinter?

Signposting to charities and other council departments

4588%

Advice and information

3976%

Additional activities to keep people amused for long periods

3161%

Hot drinks

2243%

Extra desks/seating

2039%

Distribution of warm items

1122%

Warm clothes

612%

Total responses: 51. August/September 2022. For full data tables please contact us.

6About Libraries Connected
Libraries Connected is a membershiporganisation representing heads of libraryservices in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland. We take a leading role in thedevelopment of public libraries throughadvocating for the power of libraries, sharing
best practice and helping to shape the public
library service now and in the future.

Media enquiries
James Gray
Advocacy & Marketing Manager
james.gray@librariesconnected.org.uk
07849085762

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