GLL have agreed terms with Unite the Union to end their 8 month long strike in Bromley Libraries.

The agreement means GLL can now start the process of restructuring to modernise the library offer across the 14 Borough Libraries, which are a much valued public service for Bromley residents.

GLL – a not-for-profit charitable social enterprise – has run Bromley’s Library Service for over 2 years, adding London’s largest Borough to its suite of successful contracts in Dudley, Greenwich, Lincolnshire and Wandsworth.

An experienced and innovative operator, GLL’s ethos is to keep libraries open and drive up footfall and membership – at a time when libraries are closing in record numbers across the UK.

CIPFA’s annual audit confirms that GLL runs some of the best used libraries in the UK, serving a wide range customers, young and old.

Bromley’s Libraries had around 115,000 visits per month in 2019 with a similar number of items issued.

Diana Edmonds, MBE, National Libraries Director for GLL said:

“Times change and libraries need to change with the times to make sure customers can access the services they want and need in a 21^st Century library.

“In 2020 we will be focusing on enhancing and improving the customer experience,  freeing up  staff to spend more time helping library users get the most out of their visit.”

Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal Recreation and Housing said:

“It is positive news that GLL are able to look forwards to the future. Residents will know that the Council has a strong record of improving libraries where we can, which of course includes keeping libraries open.  I am pleased that our planned improvements to the Bromley children library are now already being enjoyed by library users with our attention firmly focussed on further improvements to our libraries.”

Bromley Central Library users have already seen the benefit of a £320,000 investment into a new Children’s Library and further improvements are on the way to the upper floor to create a comfortable area to relax with a book or magazine.  

All libraries remained open during the dispute.

Striking staff will return to work on 3 February 2020.