BIPC Northamptonshire was delighted to join in the celebrations marking 50 years since Wellingborough Library opened in the town centre on Pebble Lane. The event featured fun activities open to the public and was attended by former staff, volunteers, and customers, all celebrating the library’s contributions to community development.
Since its opening in 1974, Wellingborough Library has been at the heart of the town and community. From manually stamping borrowed books and utilising the knowledge of skilled librarians for research, the library has continuously evolved. Adapting to the changing needs and interests of customers and embracing new technologies, the library on Pebble Lane has remained a steadfast centre for accessible activities for local groups and residents.
Over the years, it has introduced a variety of weekly activities, such as Rhyme Time, Manga, ESOL Conversation, and Friendship Coffee groups. The library also works closely with Adult Learning and the Registration Service to offer a wide range of resources and support to the community.
In addition to these activities, Wellingborough Library has also been at the forefront of providing accessible business support to local communities. Pioneering this effort, the Enterprise Hub began offering business support services at the library in 2012. Fast forward three years to 2015, when Northamptonshire Libraries achieved Patent Library (PatLib) UK status and joined the British Library’s National Network of Business & IP Centre's. Since then, the BIPC Local at Wellingborough Library has been hosting drop-in sessions every Tuesday morning, providing a dedicated space for potential entrepreneurs to discuss their business ideas.
Wellingborough remains one of our most popular locations for these drop-in sessions. In the first six months of this year, 40 people sought advice and guidance on starting their new business. The library also hosts our ‘Business Basics’ series of workshops, designed to help new business owners succeed. Additionally, it is home to a suite of online information databases that local businesses can access for free to support their market research—a valuable set of tools.
“James was extremely enthusiastic and really took the time to understand my situation. I came away from the session at with multiple leads to follow up and with fresh ideas on how to move forwards. I would highly recommend the service.” Wellingborough Library one-to-one drop-in attendee.
If you have a business idea to discuss, are facing challenges that test your knowledge or stretch your resources, or simply want to ensure you have all the necessary information to grow your business, visit Wellingborough Library on Tuesday mornings between 9:30 am and 12:00 pm. Our information specialists are available for a chat, and no appointment is necessary.
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