Bexley Council is looking for a new operator to run the Bexley Village Library.

The decision comes after the Bostall Library Community group decided to step down in managing the library on Bourne Road. 

The new operator could be a charity, community organisation, or a group of local residents with a passion for libraries.

The successful group will also receive a support grant from the Council to help them run the library.

Councillor Peter Craske, cabinet Member for place said: “The Bostall Library Community group have done a fantastic job of ensuring the library is a thriving hub at the heart of the community with several volunteers and a great range of activities.

“We now want groups with an interest to let us know how they might like to run the library.

“Our community libraries are free to do things their own way and to combine the library offer with other activities that ensure they can be financially sustainable.

“We are open to all suggestions so long as they keep the library open for the public and continue to provide free access to books and IT.”

The first stage of the process to find a new operator is to seek expressions of interest.

This involves groups or individuals filling out a form to capture information about themselves and their initial ideas for the library.

Interested groups will then be shortlisted and invited to submit a more formal business plan later in the summer.

The new management arrangements will then be put in place during autumn 2022.

The deadline for submitting first expressions of interest is April 29, 2022.

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