Rushden Library

The Library shop sells a selection of greetings cards, gift items, children's toys and educational material.

​See room hire details for individual libraries on the room hire page

​Full library membership and virtual library membership is available to anyone who lives, works or studies in Northamptonshire.

For further information please go to the joining the library section.

There's more to the library than you think. Lots of our services for the community rely on support from our volunteers. What could you do?

How do you become a volunteer?

Speak to a member of library staff to express an interest in volunteering. There is an interview process and all successful volunteers will be asked to supply details of referees. Volunteers for some roles are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We will provide any training that is necessary to assist in volunteering roles.

​Concessionary bus passes

Concessionary bus passes are available at your local library.

To find out more, visit our bus pass section.

Please note that disabled concessionary bus passes are available at the following libraries only:

• Brackley
• Brixworth
• Corby
• Daventry
• Duston
• Hunsbury
• Irthlingborough
• Kettering
• Northampton Central
• Oundle
• Rushden
• Towcester
• Wellingborough
• Weston Favell

Blue badges

Assistance with online Blue Badge applications is by appointment only. Please contact us on 0300 126 1000, option 5 then option 1, to book an appointment.

To find out more, visit our Blue Badge section.

Please note that this service is available at the following libraries only:

• Brackley
• Brixworth
• Corby
• Daventry
• Duston
• Hunsbury
• Irthlingborough
• Kettering
• Northampton Central
• Oundle
• Rushden
• Towcester
• Wellingborough
• Weston Favell

​See under 5s events at all libraries on our events calendar.

​Answers Plus

Answers Plus is the Libraries and Information Service's online information service. We welcome questions from anyone who lives, works or studies in Northamptonshire, or who would like information about the county.

​Libraries have Wi-Fi, computers with broadband internet access and printing facilities. Go to the Computers, Internet and Wi-Fi page for further information.

With our public printing service you can email documents from your phone, tablet or laptop to print at your local library.

Northampton Central Library has a large collection of sheet music and playsets available for hire to groups. You can arrange to collect the sheet music and playsets at any Northamptonshire Library.

Please contact MusicLibrary.LibraryPlus@westnorthants.gov.uk for further information.

​Northamptonshire LibraryPlus welcomes you to breastfeed in any of our libraries.

We understand that breastfeeding gives your child the best start in life and so we offer comfortable spaces alongside books and toys to keep siblings entertained whilst you breastfeed. If you would like a glass of water, or there is anything else we can reasonably do to make you more comfortable whilst you breastfeed, please ask a member of staff. We can also offer support and advice through breastfeeding support groups, health visitors and our qualified early year’s workers. You can find about more about this on our events calendar or by asking a member of staff.

It is a mother’s right to breastfeed in public and should you be challenged by other customers our staff will be happy to talk to them on your behalf.

Northamptonshire Libraries are part of the British Library Business & IP Centre national network, delivering workshops, webinars and information sessions on self employment and intellectual property.

Our libraries offer different levels of facilities for businesses and are split into 3 tiers.

​During the exams season council run libraries across North and West Northamptonshire provide dedicated areas and tailored resources for students to help them in their productivity and support their wellbeing.  As well as free wi-fi and tablet use, our libraries have a selection of stationery and refreshments available, together with a variety of relaxing activities for revision breaks including games, fidget toys and play dough.

Students also have access to a collection of specially selected ‘Study Happy’ books covering topics such as essay planning, understanding plagiarism, reading & making notes and time management. Northamptonshire Libraries also have ‘Reading Well’ books for young people, which provide 13 to 18-year-olds with support and advice on common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress.