Many areas affected by the 2021 heatwaves had cooling shelters available, including in public spaces like libraries. But advocates argue that this is not enough.

Although librarians are best known for worrying about overdue books, lately many have been concerned about overdoses, too. This summer, the Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon, is conducting a pilot effort at five libraries to train managers to administer naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid