Northamptonshire Central Library

26/10/2026

What Should My Children Do?: How to Flourish in the Age of AI, by Daniel Susskind, is now available to borrow from Northamptonshire Central Library.

How should the next generation prepare for a world being transformed by artificial intelligence? AI is rewriting the rules in the classroom, the job market and the workplace, leaving parents, teachers, students and all types of workers uncertain about what lies ahead.

Globally renowned economist Daniel Susskind has spent the past fifteen years exploring the impact of technology on our working lives. In What Should My Children Do?, he tackles the number one question on every parent's mind.
It is futile to ban new tools or discourage skills that are actually in demand, Susskind argues, or cling to inherited ways of working. Instead we must teach young people to master new technologies - without eroding essential skills such as literacy, numeracy and critical thinking. From reorganizing the curriculum to personalizing tuition and focusing on meaningful problems rather than pre-defined career paths, Susskind maps a smarter, more productive path forward for families and for society.

Bold, clear-eyed and hopeful, What Should My Children Do? is an evidence-based and practical guide to seizing opportunity in the age of AI.

26/10/2026

Don't forget to visit Northampton's annual fireworks spectacular on Sunday, 1 November at the racecourse! 💥

26/10/2026

Need to get online while you're in the library?

Our Hublet tablets are available to borrow and use during your visit. Whether you need to browse the internet, access online services, or search for information, a Hublet can help.

Just ask a member of staff at your local library for more information.

26/10/2026

Come and join us at Northamptonshire Central Library. We have some Halloween crafting fun planned. It will be taking place during the October half-term school holidays. We will be there every day:

Monday 26 October 10.30-11.30AM - SKELETON
Tuesday 27 October 2.30-3.30PM - HAND PUPPETS
Wednesday 28 October 11.00-12.00PM - HALLOWEEN POM-POMS
Thursday 29 October 2.30-3.30PM - JACK-O-LANTERNS
Friday 30 October 11.00-12.00PM - TRICK OR TREAT BAGS
Saturday 31 October 2.30-3.30PM - SPIDERS AND WEBS

You can bring your child along for a small charge of £1 per child. All crafts are run on a drop-in basis, so there is no need to book in advance.

Wishing you a Spook-tacular Holiday Season! We are looking forward to seeing you! 🐈‍⬛

25/10/2026

Green Libraries Week 2026 is from 21st to 28th October! 🌱 Yesterday, our Mini Makers created magical fairy houses out of ordinary milk cartons, as well as fairies and magicians.

Join us for Halloween crafts during the half-term break! Our Spook-tacular crafts:

Monday 26 October 10.30-11.30AM - SKELETON
Tuesday 27 October 2.30-3.30PM - HAND PUPPETS
Wednesday 28 October 11.00-12.00PM - HALLOWEEN POM-POMS
Thursday 29 October 2.30-3.30PM - JACK-O-LANTERNS
Friday 30 October 11.00-12.00PM - TRICK OR TREAT BAGS
Saturday 31 October 2.30-3.30PM - SPIDERS AND WEBS

These are drop-in sessions for children aged 11 and under, with a fee of £1 per child.

24/10/2026

The Hidden Histories of Trees: Fascinating Stories of our Most-loved Trees by Maddie Bailey is now available to borrow from Northamptonshire Central Library.

Trees are an essential part of the planet's ecosystem, and we feel the impact of their presence constantly.
In The Hidden Histories of trees, Maddie Bailey explores some of the world's favourite species, examining the more obscure tales they tell. From delving into tree adaptations to exploring stories of communication and culture, you will learn how trees have found their way into every aspect of our lives.
Informative yet engaging, The Hidden Histories of trees showcases new opportunities to appreciate the gentle giants that live among us.

24/10/2026

To celebrate Black History Month, Mini Makers created colourful paintings in the style of Reggie Laurent last Saturday.

It's Green Libraries Week 2026! Today, we're going to turn ordinary milk cartons into magical fairy houses! Come and join us!

This is a drop-in session for children aged 11 and under, with a fee of £1 per child. New crafters are accepted up until 3 p.m.

23/10/2026

Please note that Northamptonshire Day has been postponed ⚠

North and West Northamptonshire Councils have taken the difficult decision to postpone this Sunday’s Northamptonshire Day celebrations in Kettering due to forecast high winds and concerns for public safety.

The event, which was due to take place on Sunday, 25 October and feature more than 50 organisations from across the county, was set to celebrate Northamptonshire's heritage, culture, communities, businesses and visitor attractions.

Following careful consideration of the latest weather forecasts, the councils have concluded that the predicted wind conditions would pose an unacceptable risk to visitors, exhibitors, performers, volunteers and staff, particularly given the number of outdoor stands, displays and activities planned across Kettering town centre.

The decision has not been taken lightly and comes after months of planning involving partners, community groups, performers, sponsors and organisations from across Northamptonshire.

While the main Northamptonshire Day event has been postponed, organisers are pleased to confirm that Lighthouse Live, taking place from 7:30pm at the Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering Leisure Village, will still go ahead as planned.

The evening event will feature a programme of live performances from local acts, celebrating Northamptonshire talent with a mix of musical theatre, pop, rock and classic favourites. Residents are encouraged to support the performers and enjoy an evening of entertainment as part of the county's celebrations.

The councils are currently considering options for a future Northamptonshire Day celebration, with the possibility of a rescheduled event next year. Further details will be announced once arrangements have been confirmed.

North and West Northamptonshire Councils would like to thank residents, exhibitors, performers, sponsors, partners and volunteers for their understanding and support. While it is disappointing that the outdoor event cannot take place this weekend, the councils remain committed to delivering a celebration that showcases Northamptonshire's people, places, culture, heritage and achievements.

23/10/2026

Come and join the festivities at Northampton Market Square on Saturday, 31 October, to celebrate Diwali! 🎇

Get ready for the 26th Diwali Winter Festival of Light, taking place next weekend! 🪔

📆Saturday, 31st October
⏰from 10am-8pm (parade at 6pm)
📍Northampton Market Square

Enjoy henna painting, saree dressing and stalls, along with cultural food and drink and live stage entertainment from 1 – 8pm. ✨

At 6pm, the enchanting light parade, featuring large-scale puppets including Harminder the Elephant, will make its way through the town centre and finish at the Market Square. A route map will be published soon✨

We look forward to welcoming you to this magical event, organised by the Northampton Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation and supported by Northampton Town Council Northampton Town BID West Northamptonshire Council University of Northampton Northampton Collegee Royal & Derngate Inspiration Arts Inspirationfm Live MOSounds Ltd Sage Homes Grosvenor Shopping Northampton Discover Northamptonshire Mayor of Northampton Love Northampton Market🪔

Visit our website for more information ✨
www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/diwali

22/10/2026

Blanca has been dead for centuries when she falls in love with celebrated novelist George Sand. George is unlike anyone Blanca has encountered in hundreds of years of haunting: a woman dressed in men's clothes, a ferocious writer and passionate lover of men and women alike. It is 1838, and George has come to the island of Mallorca with her ailing lover, Frédéric Chopin. As the weather and the locals turn against the strange couple, can the love of a teenage ghost keep them from disaster?