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Diana Edmonds MBE is stepping down from her role as national libraries director at the social enterprise Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), effective 5th April 2023.
Prior to joining GLL, Edmonds was assistant director of culture, libraries and learning at Haringey Council, where her work was recognised with an MBE. She also launched the recruitment and information company Instant Library and worked internationally as a consultant in the oil and gas industry and rail sector.
Rebecca Gediking will step in as interim head of libraries to oversee the management and direction of more than 100 libraries in Bromley, Dudley, Lincolnshire, Wandsworth, Wales and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Gediking holds an MA in Library and Information Studies from University College London and has worked in public libraries for two decades. She joined GLL in 2012 as a children’s library specialist. In 2019, she became head of Bromley Libraries, Archives and Museum Service. Gediking has worked as consultant, trainer and advisor on UK library programmes and has been judge and panelist for a number of national awards, including the BBC 500 Words Competition and the Blue Peter Book Awards.
Edmonds said: “I have been privileged to work with a fantastic team over the past 12 years and am really proud of what we have achieved together. I am passionate about providing great library services that are loved – and well used by local communities. I wish Rebecca every success as she continues to build the service.”
Gediking added: “I have been fortunate to have worked with and been mentored by Diana over many years. As GLL celebrates its 30th year of managing public services, I am delighted to be taking on the role of interim head of libraries and am excited by the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Peter Bundey, c.e.o for GLL, said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the huge contribution that Diana has made to GLL’s library partnerships for over a decade. Our libraries division has established industry leading outcomes across service design, environmental agendas and seen significant growth in numbers of both library users and issues. Our 2022 annual user survey has shown our best satisfaction levels yet (97% good or excellent) after consistent year-on-year improvements. It is a fitting testimony to the impact of Diana and her leadership team across the UK.
“We are very fortunate to have a wealth of talent and experience within our libraries management team and I am excited that Rebecca will play a central role in developing a future strategy for our libraries that continues to put local communities at the heart of what we do.”