“There’s no place like home…” Kettering Library prepares to return home
Libraries24 June 2026
Residents are being reminded that Kettering Library will return to its original home from Monday 6 July, following an extensive project to repair both the Library and Art Gallery roof.
To facilitate the move, the Library will be closed on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July.
North Northamptonshire Council would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the residents who have continued to visit Kettering Library whilst it has been temporarily relocated.
Since the move into the extension at the rear of the building, the team have welcomed nearly 122,000 visitors through the doors, issued 95,930 books and hosted 410 events with a total of 8708 attendees.
2789 bus passes have been processed, and staff have helped 650 people apply for blue badges. The Summer Reading Challenge has also been held twice in the extension with the Library achieving the highest number of finishers both years - a total of 942 children completed the challenge across the two summers.
Volunteers have contributed over 1280 hours helping to run events, tidy up the library and deliver books to customers.
Once moved, the Library will offer a full service including:
- A wide range of books for the whole family
- Free Wi-Fi and public computers
- Through Library Plus, customers can also access eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewsletters and eMagazines
- Blue Badge applications (by appointment)
- Bus Pass Applications
- Room hire
- Plus, Evri parcel services
As usual, the Library will also take part in the Summer Reading Challenge and have activities planned for over the school summer holidays.
After 6 July, there may be a small amount of disruption whilst final works are undertaken and the roof contractor leaves site.
To support customers during the transition, the team will be offering a one-month fines amnesty from 6 July. If any charges were incurred due to unawareness of the temporary locations, please speak to a member of staff on site at Kettering Library. The team on site will review your account and, where appropriate, waive these fines to ensure the move disadvantages no one. This applies to Kettering Library only.
Kettering Library has been on quite a journey over the last few years, and it will be great to see it back in its original home from Monday 6 July.Cllr Greg Wilcox, the council’s Executive Member for Communities
Whilst the team has been based in their temporary home, the Library has continued to be well-used, and we want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has walked through the doors and supported the team.
I hope this support continues after 6 July as we look ahead to the future and the site opening fully.
I am looking forward to Kettering Library fully re-opening back in its stunning original home.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of the Council
Libraries are about far more than books these days and I really hope that residents and families from communities across the local area pay a visit to Kettering Library to meet the brilliant team and see for themselves the huge range of services that are on offer.
Works continue to open the art gallery with the gallery team preparing to host an exhibition from Northamptonshire & Rutland Open Studios (the event will take place in the Garden Room onsite) before a formal opening takes place for the whole site to coincide with Northamptonshire Day at the end of October.
More information about Kettering Library, alongside other libraries in North Northamptonshire, is available on the council website and you can also find Kettering Library on Facebook.