GLL Shortlisted for National Award for Library Innovation
Charitable social enterprise GLL has been shortlisted in the finals of the SEUK Awards in the 'Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year' category for its 'Literary Foundation'.
GLL is the largest operator of public libraries in the UK under its customer brand 'Better' - and is uniquely placed to support authors at both a grassroots and national level.
The nomination recognises GLL's innovative approach in creating the GLL Literary Foundation to provide support for emerging children's authors, encourage children's reading for pleasure and to champion public libraries.
In 2025, the GLL Literary Foundation is supporting 20 authors to engage with new audiences through GLL's network of public libraries and industry partners- providing greater opportunities for authors to connect with young people and help them establish a love of reading.
Authors receive bursaries of £750 and in-kind support worth £4,000 - including; business and marketing advice, mentorship from professional librarians and established authors to expand their networks, deliver events and meet young readers.
The annual SEUK Awards celebrate the resilience, entrepreneurial skill and impact of 131,000 social enterprises across the UK - who collectively employ 2.3m people and contribute £78bn to the national economy.
Philip Donnay, Chair of the GLL Literary Foundation and Deputy Chief Executive of GLL said:
"To be shortlisted alongside the most impactful social businesses in the UK is a huge achievement.
"Following in the footsteps of our GLL Sport Foundation, our new GLL Literary Foundation promises to also widen and deepen social and economic opportunity in local communities - while also getting more children engaged in reading.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank Rebecca Gediking (Head of Libraries and the Literary Foundation), Jenny Hawke (Vice Chair), as well as the libraries team for their vision, creativity and dedication in bringing the GLL Literary Foundation to life.
"I would also like to thank our Patron Joseph Coelho OBE and our Trustees Jake Hope and Mo O'Hara for their support."
GLL libraries produce £100m of social value annually measured across learning, skills development, health & wellbeing and entrepreneurial opportunity. Our libraries are some of the highest performing in the UK with over 5.5m people visiting annually, and over 6m items borrowed.
Philip Donnay added: "By creating a sustainable link between authors, publishers, librarians, and young readers, we believe we are the first public libraries operator to work collaboratively in this way for tangible community benefit."
The winners will be revealed at the UK Social Enterprise Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at the Southbank Centre in London.
The shortlisting comes off the back of GLL winning 'Social Business Pioneer of the Year' at the NatWestSE100 Social Business Awards 2025 and shortlisting in seven categories at the ukactive Awards 2025.
For more information, see: https://www.socialenterpriseuk.org.uk/news-and-views
https://www.better.org.uk/library/gll-literary-foundation