Council set to run and move into town's library

A town library could strengthen and broaden the services it offers to the community when the local council takes over management, its clerk has said.

A multi-academy trust is in charge of building costs and staffing at the library in Rothwell near Kettering and volunteers run it each day.

With the trust's contract coming to an end, Rothwell Town Council has entered discussions to take on the lease and relocate its operations to the library building.

"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," said town council clerk Jo Garner.

"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."

Rothwell was among a number of libraries which, in 2019, were offered out to be community managed.

It is currently run by the Creating Tomorrow Trust, which specialises in schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The library's book stock, computers and a self-service kiosk are provided by North Northamptonshire Council, which said it was now engaged in "very positive discussions" with the town council.

The details of the agreement were still to be finalised, but the town council was expected to take on the lease from September, a North Northamptonshire spokesperson said.

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