Local libraries aren’t just places to read, they are community hubs providing key services, information and support. Since the government began to slash local governmental funding during the austerity period in the 2010s, the numbers of libraries in the UK has fallen at a rapid rate. Books are expensive, and libraries play a crucial role in ensuring all income groups can access literature. In the wake of the 2024 general election, the organisation Libraries Connected urged the government to prioritise council funding and community services provision. They highlighted the importance of libraries in aiding the children literacy crisis and tackling loneliness, emphasising the role these services have to play in reducing inequalities and improving mental health for entire communities.