Rothwell Library is set to come under the direct management of Rothwell Town Council by September 2026, following a unanimous vote by local councillors to take over the lease. The transition is part of the North Northamptonshire Council Community Managed Libraries Programme, which aims to keep local library services running through community-led oversight.
The library is currently operated by the Creating Tomorrow Partnership, a multi-academy trust specialising in education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Since 2020, the trust has managed the facility with support from volunteers, providing students with valuable work experience as part of the daily operations. The building was one of 17 across the region identified for community management in 2019 during a period of local financial restructuring.
Under the new arrangement, North Northamptonshire Council will continue to support the site by providing the necessary book stock, computer equipment, and self-service kiosks. This ensures the library remains connected to the wider countywide library network while the town council takes on the building’s operational and management responsibilities.
Rothwell Town Council intends to move its base of operations into the library building as part of the shift. Officials state that this move will allow the council to integrate its local health and wellbeing agenda with the library services, working alongside existing volunteers to strengthen community resources in the town. Currently, there are 18 community libraries managed by charities and community groups across the county, while six facilities remain under the direct control of the North Northamptonshire Council.
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