GLL took on its first library management contract in the Royal Borough of Greenwich in 2012, followed by Wandsworth, Lincolnshire, Dudley and Bromley. Today, we're the UK's largest operator of libraries and I'm proud to say one of its most successful. During 2023-24 more than 5.5 million people visited our libraries, more than six million items were borrowed, and we created more than £100m in social value.

Innovation and collaboration have always been at the heart of what we do, that's why last year we launched a unique new initiative, the GLL Literary Foundation. The Foundation was created to support talented, up and coming children's authors.

The source of inspiration

The inspiration for the Literary Foundation was drawn from GLL's trailblazing and hugely successful Sport Foundation. Established 17 years ago with the aim of empowering young athletes with funding and practical help, it provides a range of support to the value of £1.4m per year. This comprises financial bursaries, free gym memberships, physiotherapy and lifestyle mentoring.

The realisation that there was a need for a Literary Foundation came through data showing the benefits that readers get from meeting authors, combined with evidence that new writers are struggling more than ever. We became aware that the creative process was just part of the picture, authors need to be able to understand the business side of the industry, be adept at marketing themselves and to confidently host events.

Uniquely placed

We also identified that we are uniquely positioned to support the success of early career authors by bridging the gap in author training and experience in areas where we deliver public library services.

The GLL Literary Foundation's patron is former Children's Laureate, poet and author Joseph Coelho OBE. He recognises these challenges, commenting: ‘Becoming established as a children's author is extremely challenging, it takes so much more than just writing a fantastic book. This new Foundation will help authors promote their work and provide essential training and ongoing support.'

Holistic support

Based on this obvious need, the new Foundation offers up to 20 author bursary placements in areas where GLL operates public libraries: Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth, Dudley and Lincolnshire. The selected authors receive £750 as well as further ‘in kind' support valued at up to £4,000. This includes being partnered with a specialist library mentor, to help them deliver a series of author events and set up networking opportunities with local booksellers, publishers, literary festivals and schools.

In addition, they have access to online training courses on brand identity, marketing and business planning through GLL's start up business libraries.

The Foundation's inaugural year saw authors across all genres of children's literature invited to apply, including picture books, early readers, chapter books, poetry, non-fiction, novels graphic and verse novels. Nominations were accepted from the authors' publishing representative with the entry criteria stating that applicants be required to have published between one and three books in the past five years. Self-published books were not eligible.

Entries were assessed in early 2025 by a board of trustees drawn from GLL libraries, children's librarians and the publishing world and this resulted in a diverse group of early-stage children's authors becoming the first successful cohort. In March 2025 the successful authors were recognised at a prestigious awards event held at Battersea Library in London.

A recognised need

The important role that public libraries can play in an author's literary journey is succinctly expressed by Alom Shaha, a GLL Literary Foundation supported author from Bromley, who said: ‘I'm delighted and honoured to have been awarded a GLL Literary Foundation fellowship. Growing up as an immigrant on a council housing estate, my local library, and the librarians who worked there, were a hugely positive influence on me. They didn't just help develop my love of books, they also provided a safe place to play with toys and activities which I didn't have access to at home.

‘I have gained so much from my use of public libraries throughout my life and I am so excited about this fellowship. I know I will gain a lot from the experience, but I hope there will also be lots of opportunities for me to give something back.'

Bethany Walker, a supported author from Lincolnshire highlights the many challenges she faces that go beyond authorship, adding: ‘I am so thrilled to be taking part in the GLL Literary Foundation programme, which will help me engage more with public libraries and with my readers. Children's authors are often expected to be experts on many subjects - not just writing the stories, but also giving presentations, marketing ourselves and many other things besides – so it will be wonderful to be part of a programme that supports authors in developing a range of skills.'

A social enterprise in practice

The initiative has seen significant investment from GLL, demonstrating our commitment to the sector and our social enterprise values. It is estimated that the Foundation will have running costs in the region of £100,000 pa, monies provided by GLL, Foundation sponsors and external funding sources. We hope the value to the authors taking part and the local communities they engage with will be priceless.

 

Rebecca Gediking is Head of Libraries at GLL