Crowbar wielding burglars broke into Sheffield Central Library early on Monday morning, raiding the donation box and damaging the central door.

The damage includes a broken pane of glass on the central door, and dents in the shutter, thought to have been prized open using a crowbar to gain entry to the library.

Sarah Lineman, 32, a regular library visitor, said: “I think it’s disgraceful. It’s a place for the community and it’s used by so many, who would want to smash it up?”

The police were called at 2.12 am following the crime, restricting access to Surrey Street early on Monday morning as the initial investigation was conducted.

Sylvia Grossman, 67, a member of the library for over 15 years, said: “I take my granddaughter there all the time, so I’m glad they opened back up so soon.”

The burglary lead to the library being closed on Monday morning, although they quickly re-opened in Monday afternoon following minimal repairs to the main door.

As a prominent centre for community in the centre of Sheffield, the library holds multiple classes and clubs for children and provides books and computer access to the community.

As well as hosting activities such as languages classes and after school clubs for children, the library also allows free access to computers and online recourses, a vital asset to the unhoused and marginalised members of the community, aiding in job searches and a proactive pursuit of education.

Despite the break-in, the library maintained regular opening times and will continue normally, upholding their ‘commitments to the community’.