A NEW scheme to encourage more people to use and enjoy Wellington Library is about to be launched by Somerset Council.

As part of the National Year of Reading 2026, Wellington Library is working alongside the town council and Court Fields School’s ‘Cradle to Career’ project and the Wellington ‘reading town’ initiative to launch a library loyalty card.

The new scheme is open to children and adults and aims to encourage more people to visit the library throughout the year.

From Wednesday, July, 1, anybody can collect a loyalty card from the library and start collecting stamps.

The stamps are earned by borrowing books or iPads, attending library events and activities such as storytime or dads’ club, or by using a library computer.

Once 10 stamps have been collected, customers will be entered into a monthly draw with a variety of ‘goodies’ on offer as prizes.

Somerset executive Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts said: “We are very grateful to the local businesses Wellington Sports Centre, Wellesley Cinema, and Coffee #1 who have supported this initiative and generously donated prizes.

“We hope the loyalty card scheme will encourage people to discover the amazing offers that Wellington Library has throughout the year.

“The library is full of free resources, from books and online resources to clubs, events, and friendly spaces.”

More information about the library loyalty card is available by visiting Wellington Library, where staff will help with any requests.

The library reopened in the autumn of 2024 after a 17-month, £1.4 million refurbishment of the Fore Street building which saw it temporarily relocated to the Northfield Centre, a former over-55s club, in North Street, opposite the town’s fire station.

The building upgrade saw new spaces designed to foster community engagement and partnerships, and a larger space for the children’s library to allow for more flexible events and activities.