LEBANON, Vt. (WCAX) – With frigid temperatures sweeping the region, two Upper Valley libraries are doubling as warming shelters.
The Lebanon Library and the Kilton Library in West Lebanon have been providing relief from the elements for several years now, also acting as cooling shelters in the summer.
Lebanon Public Libraries Director Sean Fleming says public libraries are a natural fit to provide this type of necessary service to the community. “If you are going to the PD or the fire department or anywhere else in town really, you have a purpose. You don’t necessarily have a purpose for coming to the library. You can come in and while your time away reading a book, looking at the newspaper, and in the meantime also finding a place to get warm,” he said.
The Kilton library is also handing out donated clothing including socks, gloves, and hand warmers.