NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The City of New Orleans has announced the opening of two cooling centers as people cope with the high temperatures.

Those seeking shelter from the heat on Wednesday, June 26, were allowed to cool off inside the city’s Main Library on Loyola Avenue and the Central City Library on Jackson Avenue.

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All library locations will be open as cooling centers on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I think it’s a good location for a cooling center to be, especially in Central City where many people may not have air conditioning and other resources to stay cool,” said New Orleans City Councilwoman Lesli Harris.

Officials are also reminding people to check on their neighbors, especially older adults, children and those with health problems.

“I barely can make it standing in the hot sun,” said Willie Ingram, who lives near the Central City Library. “I’ve been straining myself.”

Some say this is a step in the right direction, but they would like to see more being done to ensure public safety during the summer.

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“I mean, they may have opened this one, but open all of them for the public to access because they are paid for us by the tax dollars,” said Grace Bronson, who lives in the city.

Harris, whose district includes Central City, says additional cooling centers will open in the future.

“I think as the temperatures increase, you will see more locations open, not just the two that are open right now but throughout the city to make sure people can get there,” said Harris.

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