As the cold weather continues and people struggle with their energy bills and other household costs, public spaces like libraries can offer somewhere to go for warmth, company, a wealth of information - and even a free drink.

Here are just some of the ways you can make use of Nottingham City Libraries' warm, comfortable, accessible spaces:

? Libraries are a great place to get information and advice

? Borrow up to 24 items: books, talking books, music scores, maps and more

? Don?t worry about late fees as we don?t currently charge for late returns

? Meet with friends or simply get out of the house for a few hours

? Warm yourself up with a free hot drink in any of our libraries

? Bring your laptop or phone and make use of our free Wi-Fi

? Come to our numerous free events and groups including Totstime, book clubs, craft sessions and more

? Signposting to support and advice with health & wellbeing, money, finances and more.

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Find out more about the range of services libraries offer here

There are just a few days left to give your feedback on our proposals to balance the council?s budget for the forthcoming financial year.

Our public consultation ends on Wednesday, with a final public meeting tomorrow from 6-7.30pm. You can join this meeting online here. Alternatively, you can complete the online survey here.

All views will be taken into consideration before proposals are put back before our Executive Board next month and ratified at March?s meeting of the full council.

Using money from the Government's Future Transport Zones fund, Nottingham City Council has partnered with VivaCity to help us better monitor traffic flow, resulting in better decisions that will help reduce pollution in our city.

Over 215 sensors will be installed along major routes and will:

? Help avoid congestion building up on the roads

? Make journeys easier and quicker in the long term.

? Support our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2028

Find out more and read FAQs here

Happy Lunar New Year to Nottingham?s Chinese population and to others who celebrate. It is a great chance to get together with friends and family, especially after the pandemic impacted on people?s ability to do so.

This year is the Year of the Rabbit, indicating a year of peace, longevity and prosperity ? which makes the news of the shooting at celebrations in California all the more devastating. This act of violence is truly shocking and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.