{"id":64916,"date":"2022-12-16T09:20:28","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T09:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=64916"},"modified":"2023-10-11T09:49:23","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T08:49:23","slug":"how-cardiff-libraries-are-providing-more-than-just-books-this-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2022\/12\/16\/how-cardiff-libraries-are-providing-more-than-just-books-this-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"How Cardiff libraries are providing more than just books this winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">As libraries in the capital transform into warm banks to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, council budget cuts threaten their survival&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"930\" height=\"523\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64959\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655.png 930w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655-770x433.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655-293x165.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"930\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64959\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655.png 930w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655-770x433.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655-293x165.png 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The future of libraries in Cardiff is perhaps uncertain. Photo credit: Erin Zammitt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Walk into your local library and you&#8217;d expect to see shelves upon shelves of books. But what you might not expect to see is a group of knitters, a line of people receiving financial advice and a class teaching computer skills \u2013 often in the same building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And in the last couple of months, Cardiff libraries have also become lifelines for those affected by the cost-of-living crisis, by providing a space for people to keep warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Warm Welcome Spaces is an initiative set up to connect the thousands of UK organisations who are opening their doors to those struggling to heat their homes this winter. While the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.warmwelcome.uk\/\">campaign<\/a>&nbsp;was started by the ChurchWorks Commission, a network of UK <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2022\/11\/29\/merthyr-church-joins-the-warm-welcome-campaign\/\">churches<\/a>, participating spaces include libraries around the country.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Find out more about warm banks here:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Warm Banks - A Short Overview\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x0oU7xFlm_I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Warm Banks - A Short Overview\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x0oU7xFlm_I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a nationwide venture that is perhaps particularly necessary in Wales. The Cost-of-Living Report published by Public Health Wales in November this year says that the country already has higher levels of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/PHW-Cost-of-Living-Report-ENG.pdf\">poverty<\/a>&nbsp;compared to the rest of the UK, therefore the population is likely to be harder hit by the crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, the report explains that Wales\u2019 housing is some of the least energy efficient in Europe, meaning it is more difficult and therefore more expensive to heat, and contributing to greater levels of fuel poverty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Warm spaces were introduced in all 21 Cardiff libraries\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk\/releases\/c25\/30052.html\">hubs<\/a> on 10 October, with free hot drinks, activities and financial advice available throughout the week. Andrea Currie, media advisor for Cardiff council, disclosed that as of 28 November, over 2,500 people have accessed the warm spaces in Cardiff libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1EoWXheHH5I3VZGZdLHcJQmv6EOWAjnY&amp;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><noscript><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1EoWXheHH5I3VZGZdLHcJQmv6EOWAjnY&amp;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Twist in the tale<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>But while libraries are stepping forward to help those in need through the cost-of-living, this very crisis means the future of these spaces is under threat.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In October, Cardiff council revealed it was facing a \u00a353m hole in its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk\/releases\/c25\/30107.html\">budget<\/a>&nbsp;for 2023\/24, with Cllr Chris Weaver saying in a statement, \u201cThere will inevitably be a need for savings that impact on service delivery.&#8221; An increase in funding for local authorities, announced by the local government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.wales\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/2022-12\/provisional-settlement-finance-report.pdf\">settlement<\/a> on 14 December, reduces this hole to \u00a323m, but key services are still likely to be affected in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The regional outlook supports this, with Public Health Wales arguing, \u201cThe cost-of-living crisis has potential consequences for maintaining current public service capacity and quality in Wales.\u201d The loss of these services even presents a threat to health for those in the most deprived areas, according to the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>National discussions around budget cuts have led to questions surrounding the contemporary worth of libraries, with journalist Andrew Pierce&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GMB\/status\/1592407330842628100?s=20&amp;t=3t77eHwOeNi8K4-SjqR1Zw\">claiming<\/a>&nbsp;on Good Morning Britain, \u201cI haven\u2019t been to a library in 30 years.\u201d But how needed are libraries in Cardiff today?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Valued public spaces<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In the recently published Welsh Libraries report of 2020\/21, Cardiff libraries saw their total membership&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gov.wales\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/2022-10\/welsh-libraries-report-2020-to-2021.pdf\">decline<\/a> compared with 2019\/20 as a result of the pandemic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there was also a staggering 464% increase in digital downloads \u2013 suggesting people were still making use of the service\u2019s resources even when they were more limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the library buildings have great value as well, not just to core members but to groups who use the spaces for meetings and social events. Cardiff Writers Circle host regular writing workshops at Central Library, including a current&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffwriterscircle.cymru\/\">series<\/a>&nbsp;to mark the group\u2019s 75<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;anniversary celebrations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"895\" height=\"503\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo.png\" alt=\"Bookshelves on the third floor of Central Library in Cardiff.\" class=\"wp-image-65036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo.png 895w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo-770x433.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo-293x165.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 895px) 100vw, 895px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"895\" height=\"503\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo.png\" alt=\"Bookshelves on the third floor of Central Library in Cardiff.\" class=\"wp-image-65036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo.png 895w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo-770x433.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-feature-photo-293x165.png 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 895px) 100vw, 895px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Central Library is a popular hub for local groups and events. Photo credit: Erin Zammitt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Member of the group Martin Buckridge says the library has been key to their schedule of events, as the only venue that met their requirements of having disabled access, being in a central location and being available for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt seems to me that the Central Library provides a very important meeting facility of a type unique in the city centre,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe library\u2019s continued ability to work with local community groups in these challenging times will play a valuable part in helping to sustain the voluntary sector.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The next chapter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>But while these cuts may threaten the traditional library, perhaps in Cardiff there is a new future on the horizon. Last month, Dyddiau Du had its launch \u2013 a new queer, neurodivergent-led community&nbsp;library&nbsp;and art <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DyddiauDu\">space<\/a> located in the Capitol Centre.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the initial plan was to open a bookshop, the end product was a library, deemed the most accessible way to reach people by its creators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The library will tailor to the needs of the community, stocking books from writers of colour and the LGBT+ community, and covering themes of mental health and neurodivergence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1.png 900w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1-770x433.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1-293x165.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1.png 900w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1-770x433.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/library-photo-1-293x165.png 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A craft workshop taking place during library Dyddiau Du&#8217;s launch weekend. Photo credit: Joshua Jones.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Joshua Jones, one of Dyddiau Du\u2019s founders, says that while their facilities may differ from state-funded libraries, the space provides similar services, including a place inside from the cold.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64921\" width=\"430\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--770x770.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--293x293.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--390x390.png 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--585x585.png 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--900x900.png 900w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout-.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64921\" width=\"430\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--770x770.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--293x293.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--390x390.png 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--585x585.png 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout--900x900.png 900w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Library-boxout-.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit: Erin Zammitt<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Jones, 25, says that despite often having funding cut, libraries can be pillars of local communities, and have the power to shape someone\u2019s view of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey are inherently socialist spaces,\u201d he says. \u201cWhere else can a blind or visually impaired person discover audiobooks and books in Braille, or refugees take English lessons, or ex-offenders build their CV writing skills and use the printer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLibraries are important because they are by people, for the people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The full budget will be published by Cardiff council early next&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cardiff.moderngov.co.uk\/documents\/s64249\/Cabinet%2020%20October%202022%20Budget%20update.pdf\">year<\/a>, so the future of the libraries and other public services won\u2019t be known for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-border-color has-white-border-color has-small-font-size\"><blockquote><p>Libraries are important because they are by people, for the people<\/p><cite>Joshua Jones<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When you next walk into your local library, stop to notice the wealth of resources around you. Maybe even appreciate the warmth, something that many no longer take for granted. But also notice that these spaces are disappearing, at a time when they are perhaps more vital than ever.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As libraries in the capital transform into warm banks to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, council budget cuts threaten their survival\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":927,"featured_media":64959,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7087,7937],"tags":[4299,269,20,7062,742,7879],"coauthors":[7757],"class_list":["post-64916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-long-reads","category-the-edit","tag-budget-cuts","tag-cardiff-council","tag-community","tag-cost-of-living","tag-libraries","tag-warm-banks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site 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crisis, council budget cuts threaten their survival\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2022\/12\/16\/how-cardiff-libraries-are-providing-more-than-just-books-this-winter\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"alt.cardiff\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-12-16T09:20:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-10-11T08:49:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/IMG_3655.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"930\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"523\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Erin Zammitt\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@_erinz_\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" 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