This year, Bexley’s library service marked the tenth anniversary since Blackfen Library and Slade Green Library transitioned from a Council‑run service to a community‑led model.

Working with the Council, our partners, New Generation Community Trust (Blackfen), Bostall Library Community Group and Eco Communities (Slade Green) have played an integral role in transforming these libraries.

They have expanded the reach and impact of library services, supported a wide range of initiatives, including literacy programmes, digital inclusion support, community events, environmental projects, and opportunities for volunteering and skills development.

Councillor Brian Bishop, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:

This ten-year milestone is a testament to what can be achieved when councils and communities work hand in hand. Our library partners have shown extraordinary commitment, creativity and resilience in supporting these much-loved local spaces.

Libraries are far more than buildings with books, they are lifelines for learning, wellbeing and connection.

I would like to extend my thanks to Bostall Library Community Group, Eco Communities, and New Generation Community Trust for their dedication over the past decade.

As the borough looks forward to the future, the Council remains committed to strengthening these partnerships and continuing to invest in a library service that reflects the values and aspirations of its communities.”