Plans for Rothwell library to be run by Rothwell Town Council
Libraries23 April 2026
Rothwell Town Council have unanimously voted to enter discussions to take on the lease of Rothwell Library.
Under the Community Managed Libraries Programme, a number of libraries, including Rothwell were offered out to be community managed in 2019. As part of this programme, North Northamptonshire Council provides book stock, computers and a self-service kiosk to enable the libraries to continue to operate as part of the countywide libraries network. All building costs and any staffing/volunteers to deliver library services are the responsibility of the group running the library.
The lease for Rothwell Library is currently held by Creating Tomorrow Trust, a multi academy trust specialising in SEND education, with students able to gain work experience through the day-to-day running of the library, alongside a group of library volunteers., The Trust’s priorities have evolved since 2019, and as their lease is drawing to an end, they have been with working with Rothwell Community Library volunteers to find a new organisation to take over the lease of the library.
As a result, North Northamptonshire Council are now engaged in very positive discussions with the Rothwell Town Council with a view to the Town Council taking on the lease.
Members have unanimously agreed that this represents a significant opportunity for Rothwell Town Council. Relocating to the Library building provides enormous potential to expand the excellent work already underway, particularly in advancing our Health and Wellbeing agenda.Jo Garner, The Town Clerk
We are very much looking forward to this opportunity to work with the dedicated group of Library volunteers who have sustained the service so passionately. By bringing our teams together, we will be able to strengthen what already exists and develop an even broader range of services for the benefit of our residents.
Across North Northamptonshire, libraries play a vital role at the centre of our towns and villages, offering shared spaces for the whole community. I am pleased that a positive way forward has been agreed for Rothwell Library as part of our Community Managed Libraries programme.Cllr Greg Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive member for Communities
The details of the agreement are still to be finalised, but it is envisaged that the Rothwell Town Council will take on the lease from September 2026.
Anyone interested in volunteering would be very welcome and can visit the library for more details of how to get involved.