Legal information

Suffolk’s Libraries Industrial and Provident Society Limited is our formally registered name. We call ourselves Suffolk Libraries.

We are an independent and charitable organisation set up in August 2012 to run Suffolk’s library service. Following the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, societies such as ours are now generally referred to as ‘Registered Societies’.

We're contracted by Suffolk County Council who still retain legal responsibility for the library service and the upkeep of library buildings. They also provide funding to run the service, with Suffolk Libraries also needing to fundraise and raise additional income to sustain and develop our work in communities. 

Our membership is drawn from member organisations, community groups made up of people who want to support their library and have a say in how they are run. Each library in Suffolk works with local people to develop these member organisations. 

Member organisations elect our board.