THE borough’s libraries and archives service will continue to be managed by the current provider until November 2030, Dudley Council has confirmed.

Charitable social enterprise GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited) has been awarded the contract for the day-to-day management of the 13 libraries and Dudley Archives and Local History Service once again, following a competitive tender process.

GLL, which has been running Dudley’s libraries and archives since 2017, is says it is committed to maintaining and building on the service.

It is currently planning an official launch in the coming months of Brierley Hill Library, following its £670,000 refurbishment, and later this year will launch the GLL Literary Foundation to support talented authors based near local libraries.

Stephanie Rhoden, GLL partnership manager for Dudley libraries and archives said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to continue operating Dudley’s libraries and archives in partnership with the council for a further six years.

“We are really proud of what we have achieved to date, from operating throughout the pandemic in order to provide vital services to customers, to hosting Lenny Henry’s first children’s book launch and renovating Brierley Hill Library - creating a much-improved multifunctional space.

"We look forwarding to building on these successes in the future.”

Councillor Ian Bevan, Dudley Council’s cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: “We look forward to working with GLL as they continue to provide such a key service to our residents.”