We're making your Library Even Better
A new investment in Bromley’s Central Library will transform the borough’s flagship facility into a vibrant and dynamic creative play space to fire up young imaginations while offering better study space and places to relax and read, enjoying panoramic views over the London skyline.
GLL – the not-for-profit charitable social enterprise that operates the borough’s 14 libraries in partnership with Bromley Council – will start work on 25 November transforming the 40 year old town centre venue into a state of the art facility that will rival anything in South London.
Children now borrow almost half the books issued from libraries in Bromley and the children’s section of Central Library will be transformed into an exciting destination for youngsters with a new Children’s Library and ‘Toyland’ - a creative play space featuring characters and themes from the stories of Enid Blyton, herself a former Bromley resident.
Diana Edmonds, MBE, GLL’s National Libraries Director said: “This is a significant investment in Bromley’s Central Library – we are very excited by the improvements and hope customers will be too.
“Library users in Bromley share our vision to keep their libraries open and use them more. So we are prioritising making them spaces which are even more accessible for a larger number of users, interesting and engaging spaces that are truly fit for the 21st Century.”
Beautiful books will sit alongside PCs and tablets offering age appropriate content for browsing, entertainment and games.
Adults will benefit from a new IT suite with super-fast, quality printing and enlarged study spaces.
Quiet areas will be created for people who want to study in silence as well as space for students who want to work together and chat while they do so.
To reduce the impact on the environment, improvements will feature LED lighting and sustainable sourced shelving and furniture.
For the first time, public toilets are being installed too, so library users can stay and enjoy the space for longer.
In order to undertake the refurbishment, the library will be closed for 1 week from Monday 25 November to Saturday 30 November 2019.
From Monday 2 December to Saturday 7 December, a temporary ‘Pop Up’ library will be provided for customers in the Hall on the 4th Floor with an ‘express service’ – including library returns and a small selection of adult and childrens fiction. A small selection of IT facilities and Children's activities will also be available.
From Monday 9 December to Saturday 21 December, the library will partially reopen, however some areas will remain closed whilst refurbishment works continue.
Library loans have been extended until Monday 16 December to allow for the disruption in service.