Library service review

 Find out about the seasonal opening times of our libraries

In September 2023, we started a review of our library service after residents and staff told us that our current model was not working. Budget cuts over £800k between 2019 and 2022 resulted in a significant reduction in library opening hours meaning some libraries were only open 2 days a week and less than 10% of residents were actively using them.

Following extensive research and engagement with our residents, we proposed a new model for the service which was agreed at Cabinet on 25 September 2024. You can watch the meeting via webcasting.croydon.gov.uk.

Our new library service will see nine libraries open a minimum of 5 days a week, including Saturdays. There will be more events and activities, and more staff to provide a new outreach service.

Our new approach also includes the closure of library services from 4 locations. The buildings affected are:

• Bradmore Green
• Broad Green
• Sanderstead
• Shirley

These savings will be re-invest into the library service. 

We are now actively seeking community partners or residents that want to take on our 4 former library buildings and run them as community bases. The Mayor is committed to retaining these buildings as community assets for local people in their neighbourhoods.

Read more information on the proposals and decisions. 

What happens next:

The new library service model is being delivered in a phased approach with new services and opening hours being introduced between November 2024 and April 2025.

Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead and Shirley Libraries are now closed. Regular activities at these libraries have been moved to different locations. For more information contact libraries@croydon.gov.uk.

Residents and visitors can access the library services in the following ways:

Visiting a library building 

Find out more about our libraries and when they are open. 

Accessing the online library 

Search the online library catalogue and access 24/7 online services, audio and e-books, digital magazines and comics, digital newspapers, computer and internet guides, and free online courses. 

Join a library outreach event

The library service are co-hosting library events in community venues with local partners. Everyone is welcome to visit:

• to chat with staff about library services and activities
• to join the library
• to participate in simple craft activities  
• for stories aimed at children and families after school
• for demonstrations of the library's digital offer
• to return and reserve books

We will be announcing more outreach event dates here in January.

The outreach events programme will continue to be developed with a full programme scheduled to be launched in April 2025.

Using the Home Library Service 

Find out more about the Home Library Service. It is available for all residents who are unable to visit their local library. 

Free bus service from 11 November 2024

A free weekly bus shuttle is available for residents of Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead and Shirley. The shuttle is available to transport them from the recently closed libraries to the nearest Croydon Library. 

Mondays

Bradmore Green: 

• Departing from Bradmore Way, outside the library building, at 10.30am.
  Return journey departing from Coulsdon Library at 12pm.

Wednesdays

Broad Green: 

• Departing from Canterbury Road, outside the library building, at 10.30am.
  Return journey departing from Thornton Heath Library at 12pm.

Sanderstead: 

• Departing from Sanderstead Hill, outside the library building, at 10am.
  Return journey departing from Selsdon Library at 11.30am.

Thursdays

Shirley: 

• Departing from Wickham Road/Hartland Way, outside the library building, at 10.30am.
  Return journey departing from Ashburton Library at 12pm.

Schools and education settings

Croydon Libraries welcome schools and education settings to use our services. All education settings in the borough are invited to arrange to visit their local library. Schools located in Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead and Shirley are also able to access book collections on loan. For more information please contact libraries@croydon.gov.uk.

Library services in 2025 

From January 2025 

From 6 January 2025, opening hours at Ashburton, New Addington, South Norwood, Coulsdon and Purley Libraries will increase. Residents will also be able to access more regular outreach activities and book collections in local community venues.

From April 2025

From 7 April 2025, 9 libraries will be open at least 5 days a week and all libraries will be open on Saturdays. 

Community Bases 

We are now looking for community partners or residents interested in taking on the library buildings to operate them as community bases.

Community partners interested in taking on the 4 buildings that library services are being withdrawn from are invited to get in touch to find out more about the buildings.

Anyone interested is invited to join one of the upcoming viewing sessions to look around the buildings. More detail is available in the community bases webpage or you can contact the team by emailing communityrelations@croydon.gov.uk.