Sandwell Council has introduced ‘Welcoming Spaces’ in some libraries that are open over the holidays.

Welcoming Spaces are buildings that can provide places to sit, chat and join in free activities.

Residents visiting Welcoming Spaces can expect:

• A warm welcome every time they come
• To be treated fairly and with dignity and respect
• To be able to join in a range of free activities, if they wish
• Discretion, as they will not tell anyone about their visit but we are here to listen to any of their concerns and point them to other services if they wish

The Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, said: “For most people Christmas and the New Year are times to celebrate and have fun, but we understand that for some people this time of year can be particularly lonely.

”That’s why we want to ensure that everyone in Sandwell has the opportunity, if they like, to have access to a safe, warm and welcoming space over the holiday period.”

Find a Welcoming Space near you in Sandwell over Christmas and New Year.  Visit our main Welcoming Spaces webpage for normal opening hours for Welcoming Spaces in Sandwell.

Over the festive period in 2023/24, 2,837 customers used a Welcoming Space at a Sandwell Library during this period last year.

There were 65 customer enquiries, 3,569 hots drinks were served an 72 customers visited on Christmas Day itself which is an increase of 95% from 2022/2023.

Below is a full list of opening times over the holiday period.

• Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24 December - Libraries normally open will close at 4pm.
• Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December 10am-4pm - Central Library West Bromwich
• Boxing Day - Thursday 26 December 10am-4pm - Central Library West Bromwich, Smethwick Library Friday 27 December - 10am-4pm - Central Library West Bromwich, Smethwick Library, Oldbury Library, Glebefields Library
• Saturday 28 December - All libraries will be open their usual hours.
• Sunday 29 December - 10am- 4pm - Smethwick Library, Central Library West Bromwich, Oldbury Library, Blackheath Library, Wednesbury Library
• Monday 30 December - 10am-4pm - Central Library West Bromwich, Smethwick Library, Oldbury Library, Glebefields Library, Blackheath Library
• New Year's Eve - Tuesday 31 December - 10am-4pm - Central Library West Bromwich, Smethwick Library, Oldbury Library, Wednesbury Library
• New Year’s Day - Wednesday 1 January - 10am-4pm - Central Library West Bromwich, Smethwick Library

Opening hours as usual from Thursday 2 January.