Hastings Library was forced to close from 2pm on Tuesday, 27 January, with Mornington Peninsula Shire citing extreme heat and an inability to keep the building at a safe temperature.
In a public notice, the Shire said the closure was necessary because the library’s air-conditioning was not able to maintain a safe internal temperature.
“The safety of our staff and community are our first priority,” the Shire said.
No reopening time was provided.
Follows extreme heat conditions
The closure followed extreme temperatures across the Mornington Peninsula, with the region reaching 43 degrees the day before.
Public libraries are commonly relied on by the community as air-conditioned public spaces during heat events, particularly by older residents, families and people without adequate cooling at home.
Questions about system capacity
The closure has raised questions about whether the issue relates to a mechanical fault or whether the library’s cooling system is no longer capable of maintaining safe temperatures during extreme heat.
STPL News contacted Mornington Peninsula Shire seeking clarification on whether the cooling system requires upgrading, when any rectification may be completed, and why the issue was not identified earlier given the recent extreme heat period.
No response was received at the time of writing.
