Summer 2026
Libraries continue to play an important role at the heart of our communities and we are investing £2 million over the next four years to ensure they can meet residents’ changing needs.
This investment will modernise libraries across the Borough, creating more flexible, accessible and welcoming spaces that support reading and learning, digital inclusion, culture, health and wellbeing. It forms part of our Library Strategy 2025–2030 and supports our wider vision of community hubs that bring services closer to residents.
Councillor Brian Bishop, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:
Libraries are some of our most valued community spaces. This investment will help us create modern, flexible buildings that not only support literacy and learning, but also make it easier for residents to access advice, support and services closer to home. By making better use of our public buildings, we are creating spaces that can respond to local needs and deliver greater value for residents."
Improvement works will begin this year, with smaller upgrades taking place across all library sites and larger refurbishment projects at Crayford and Welling leading the way. These improvements will help transform libraries into modern community spaces that can support a wider range of activities and services.
Crayford Library will be among the first to benefit, with plans including redecoration, new flooring and more flexible multi-use spaces. The aim is to create an environment that responds to local needs and provides opportunities for community groups, partners, and public services to work more closely together.
A good example of this approach in action is the new Sidcup Live Well Age Well hub, developed in partnership with the NHS Integrated Care Board. The hub provides local support to Sidcup residents aged 50 and over, focused on frailty and wellbeing, helping residents access advice and services closer to home.
This approach helps ensure public resources are used effectively while improving access to the services people rely on.
The Bexley Business and Employment (BBE) service is delivering the Trailblazers employment support programme across Bexley. This programme supports residents to find work through a variety of activities.
It includes one-to-one job search help guided by an Employment Advisor, the Refilling the Well health and wellbeing course, mental health walks for men in partnership with Proper Blokes Club, workshops, a job club, accredited training courses and work experience placements.
A sizable number of these placements resulted in paid employment with a local employer.
Last year, the service supported over 100 Bexley residents on Trailblazers, 60 people were upskilled and gained qualifications, 67 engaged in tailored job search support and 28 found paid employment.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Infrastructure, Cllr Cameron Smith said:
Our Trailblazer programme has had a profound and positive impact on those taking part. I would urge anyone who is not currently working and thinking of taking part to contact the service, it could change your life."
The programme is delivered from BBE’s employment hub at the Civic Offices in Bexleyheath and will run until 31 March 2027.
It is aimed at residents that are not currently working but want to work and need support to find work.
If you are interested in joining our Trailblazers programme, please contact BBE by calling 020 3045 3800 or visit the Bexley Business and Employment website.
Children aged four to 11 are invited to a free summer of fun in libraries by joining this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. The challenge starts on 4 July and runs until 5 September.
The theme of this year’s challenge is Read to the Beat and encourages children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.
The challenge sees children read six books of their choice over the summer holidays, collect stickers and rewards along the way and receive a medal and certificate when they complete the challenge.
Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Education, Cllr Caroline Newton said:
The Summer Reading Challenge inspires local children to explore the wonderful world of literature and is highly beneficial to the development of the Borough’s young minds.
Each year we deliver the Challenge in our libraries and endeavour to help children explore new reading material, develop skills and discover new interests.
Come along and visit your local library and discover the amazing things going on this summer."
The Summer Reading Challenge is run by the Reading Agency and offered by all Bexley Libraries, including community-led libraries in the Borough.