Four libraries in the running for Library of the Year award 2025
Four South London libraries run by a social enterprise have been shortlisted as finalists in The Bookseller’s ‘Library of the Year’ award for 2025.
Entries from all over the UK have been whittled down, with finalists selected for their innovation in promoting reading and supporting the needs of their communities.
GLL’s South London nominees include St Paul’s Cray Library, in Mickleham Road, Orpington, Eltham Library, in Archery Road, Greenwich, Roehampton Library, in Danebury Avenue, Wandsworth and Wandsworth Town Library in Courthouse Way, Wandsworth.
Karen Napier MBE, chief executive officer of The Reading Agency, said: “These finalists represent the very best of what modern libraries can achieve, proving that they remain essential, dynamic spaces of learning, creativity and community engagement, with reading at their heart.”
GLL is the UK’s largest leisure social enterprise, managing 65 library buildings and seven prison libraries under its ‘Better’ brand.
Rebecca Gediking, head of libraries for GLL, said: “To have four of the libraries that we operate in South London shortlisted for the Library of the Year Award is a huge honour.
“We are proud of all of our libraries, grateful to our partners and of course our passionate and creative library staff.”
The winners will be announced in May.
(Picture: GLL)
