Public libraries actually save more lives during heatwaves than those dedicated emergency cooling centers.
March 24, 2026
Original Paper
Libraries as Resilience Infrastructure: Reducing Heat-Related Mortality Across U.S. Counties
SSRN · 6458659
The Takeaway
While cities invest in temporary cooling centers that often go unused, this study reveals that the everyday availability of libraries—trusted, familiar, and climate-controlled social spaces—is a statistically significant driver in reducing heat-related mortality across the U.S. It suggests that 'social infrastructure' is more vital for disaster resilience than specialized emergency facilities.
From the abstract
Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, and vulnerability to extreme heat is amplified by physical infirmity, social inequality, and characteristics of the built environment. In the U.S., elderly, homeless, and Black populations are among those most at risk of heat-related mortality. U.S. municipalities often utilize short-term, formally designated cooling centers as interventions to mitigate risk, but these facilities can be difficult to access and are often u