What's happening at Shortlands Library?
In January 2026, following inspection, issues were found at the Shortlands Library location at 110 Shortlands Road that required us to close it for further review.
Since then, following detailed surveys, the Council has identified significant issues at Shortlands Library, meaning the current building will remain unavailable for the immediate future while we assess longer-term options for library services in the Shortlands area.
During this interim, we will be providing limited library services at St Mary’s Church. Continue reading this page to learn more.
For more information about the causes for the closure and the solutions we'll be employing to continue bringing the Bromley borough library services to the residents of Shortlands, click below.
Services at St Mary's Church, Shortlands.
During this interim, a space has been provided at St Mary's Church where we can conduct limited Library services for the residents of Shortlands on Mondays & Saturdays.
Services will include:
Services will include:
- Our popular events (see events below), including the Summer Reading Challenge.
- The ability to make and collect reservations.
- Browse the catalogue with help from staff.
- Browse and take out a limited selection of fiction & non-fiction titles for all audiences.
Regretfully, we cannot offer any digital services, such as PCs, scanners, or printers. Please also note that we cannot process any financial transactions while at this interim location.
For more information, please review the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.
For more information, please review the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.
Events from the Shortlands Library team
We're pleased to be able to continue bringing our library events to the local community thanks to the facilitation of The Parish Church of St Mary's, Shortlands, where we will continue running some of our most popular events on Mondays and Saturdays.
For more information about our events, please review our What's On page.
What's On
For more information about our events, please review our What's On page.
FAQs
Last updated September 2026
For the duration of Shortlands Library's stay within The Parish Church of St Mary, Shortlands, the following will be valid:
For the duration of Shortlands Library's stay within The Parish Church of St Mary, Shortlands, the following will be valid:
General FAQs
How do I get to the church?
St Mary's Church, Shortlands is located at 39 Kingswood Rd, Bromley BR2 0HG.
To get from Shortlands Library to the St Marys Church, Shortlands, simply travel northeast on Shortlands Road (the same direction as Shortlands station) until you see Church Road on your right. Follow Church Road until St Mary's Church comes into view.
Walking distance is about 10 minutes. Driving should take no longer than a minute.
To get from Shortlands Library to the St Marys Church, Shortlands, simply travel northeast on Shortlands Road (the same direction as Shortlands station) until you see Church Road on your right. Follow Church Road until St Mary's Church comes into view.
Walking distance is about 10 minutes. Driving should take no longer than a minute.
When are you open at the church?
We're open at the following hours:
- Mondays: 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:30.
- Saturdays: 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:00.
How can I contact the library in the interim?
To talk to the Shortlands library team specifically, please contact shortlands.library@gll.org. You are unable to call Shortlands staff directly at the present time.
To contact another Bromley library location, please review the contact details here.
To contact another Bromley library location, please review the contact details here.
Can I make card & cash transactions at the interim location?
We cannot take any cash or card transactions at the interim location. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Any charges on your library card account can be paid at any other applicable Bromley Borough library location.
Any charges on your library card account can be paid at any other applicable Bromley Borough library location.
Can church staff help with library enquiries out of hours?
Church staff cannot help with library enquiries.
Please call another Bromley borough library (click here for numbers) or contact shortlands.library@gll.org for service help if needed outside of the temporary Shortlands library working hours.
Please call another Bromley borough library (click here for numbers) or contact shortlands.library@gll.org for service help if needed outside of the temporary Shortlands library working hours.
I have a question about the Shortlands library temporary closure or your current placement in the St Mary's Church
For all questions about the temporary closure of the Shortlands Library at 110 Shortlands Road, please review the August 2026 council update here or contact shortlands.library@gll.org .
Book & Item FAQs
Does the church have browsable library books?
Yes! We have a small collection of adult and childrens fiction and non-fiction books, to browse and take out with Shortlands Library staff during library-staffed hours only.
Where can I return my loaned items?
Any items taken out from any Bromley borough library, including Shortlands Library, can be returned to any other Bromley Borough library.
The nearest library to Shortlands library is Beckenham library.
Please note, Bromley Central Library is currently operating from temporary locations as they prepare for their move, and may not be able to take returned Shortlands Library titles at the current time.
You can also return titles to our temporary location on the applicable open days only.
The church is not responsible for your library books, so please do not return them outside of hours.
The nearest library to Shortlands library is Beckenham library.
Please note, Bromley Central Library is currently operating from temporary locations as they prepare for their move, and may not be able to take returned Shortlands Library titles at the current time.
You can also return titles to our temporary location on the applicable open days only.
The church is not responsible for your library books, so please do not return them outside of hours.
Can I reserve titles and collect reservations from the church?
Yes, reservations can be made and collected from our temporary location within the church.
Please be aware that collection of these titles can only occur on the days in which we're open (Monday, Saturday). Church staff cannot retrieve or issue library reservations.
If you can only collect your title outside of the available hours, we suggest setting your reservation collection location to another branch in the Bromley borough. To review other branches available to you as part of your Bromley Libraries membership, review our landing page.
Please be aware that collection of these titles can only occur on the days in which we're open (Monday, Saturday). Church staff cannot retrieve or issue library reservations.
If you can only collect your title outside of the available hours, we suggest setting your reservation collection location to another branch in the Bromley borough. To review other branches available to you as part of your Bromley Libraries membership, review our landing page.
Can I renew my books in-person?
You can renew books in-person for the additional three week loan time, but it may not be immediately reflected on your digital account.
Can I renew my books remotely?
We have no phone line for our temporary location at the current time. If you need to call, please review the other Bromley borough library phone numbers here:
Phone numbers
Books can still be renewed digitally via the Bromley Libraries App, or via the website:
Bromley Libraries app for Android
Bromley Libraries app for iOS (Apple)
Library website login page
Books can still be renewed digitally via the Bromley Libraries App, or via the website:
Events & Services FAQs
Are you still running events?
We are still running events from our location in St Mary's Church in Shortlands. Please review our What's On page for more information.
Click here to learn more
Can my child still take part in the Summer Reading Challenge while Shortlands Library is at the church?
You can continue to visit the Shortlands team at the church on Mondays between 09:30-13:00 and 14:00-17:30 & Saturdays between 09:30-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 to talk to library staff and get your Summer Reading Challenge rewards.
Please note that the Summer Reading Challenge can only be progressed at the same branch you initially signed up for it at.
i.e. If you signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge at Orpington Library, you cannot progress the challenge at West Wickham library.
Please also note that church staff do not have access to Summer Reading Challenge resources, so cannot give out prizes.
Please note that the Summer Reading Challenge can only be progressed at the same branch you initially signed up for it at.
i.e. If you signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge at Orpington Library, you cannot progress the challenge at West Wickham library.
Please also note that church staff do not have access to Summer Reading Challenge resources, so cannot give out prizes.
Is study space available?
Study space is not available at the Church.
Customers looking for study space are encouraged to visit West Wickham Library or Beckenham Library. Please check their webpages for opening times before travelling.
Will computers, printing, scanning and Wi-Fi be available?
Computers, printing and scanning services are not available at our temporary location within the church.
Are there plug sockets to charge devices?
There are no plug sockets available to charge devices in our temporary church location.
Accessability FAQs
Is the church location wheelchair accessible?
Our location within the church rooms is wheelchair accessible.
Does the church have accessible toilets?
Yes, the church has accessible toilets.
I cannot travel to another library. What support is available?
Customers who are unable to access an alternative library because of age, health or transport difficulties can contact the Home Library Service for support.
Please contact shortlands.library@gll.org for further support.
Please contact shortlands.library@gll.org for further support.
Does the church location have a specific dress-code?
There is no specific dress code associated with this location.
All are welcome.
All are welcome.
