Art exhibitions, author events, live music and more! Suffolk Libraries Day line-up confirmed
Suffolk Libraries Day is our annual fundraising event taking place on Saturday 11 March, celebrating the important work our libraries do for communities across Suffolk.
This is four fourth year celebrating Suffolk Libraries Day, and we’ve got a whole bunch of events for everyone to get involved with – come along, have fun and help raise money for Suffolk Libraries!
Our main event this year is our popular Online Book Festival, which takes place from 6-12 March and features live online talks with a variety of bestselling authors including Elly Griffiths, Jill Mansell and Jack Jordan. Tickets are free with an optional donation, and are available to book online.
We’re also excited to announce two live music performances taking place in our libraries! Local band A Light Left On will be playing at Capel St Mary Library on Saturday 4 March and at Stowmarket Library on Friday 10 March. Tickets are £7 each and there will be a licensed bar at both venues.
Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, said:
“Recent research shows the true value of our libraries and particularly their positive impact on wellbeing. Every year our service generates £41m worth of social value which translates to £6 of social value for every £1 invested, saving NHS services in Suffolk a whopping £542K per year! However, we still operate in a challenging financial climate and need to raise additional funds to carry on making a real difference to people’s lives now and into the future!
“Suffolk Libraries Day is again shaping up to be a wonderful celebration of how our libraries support their local community. I hope people will enjoy the many activities on offer whilst raising money for a great cause.”
Our libraries all across the county will be getting involved with their own fundraising events, including tabletop sales, car washes, quizzes, crafts, and so much more. Take a look at our full line-up of events.
If you can’t get to one of our events but would still like to support Suffolk Libraries, you can make an online donation to help us continue to nurture children’s literacy, support vulnerable people and promote wellbeing across Suffolk.
Art Exhibition and Cycle Fundraiser at Haverhill Library
Head down to Haverhill Library anytime during opening hours in March to see their dog-themed art exhibition, each designed by a local artist! The bespoke pieces of art will be available to purchase with all proceeds going towards supporting the library and its local community.
For those who are looking for a challenge, you can also have a go on their exercise bike anytime between 6 – 12 March! Abbeycroft Leisure have kindly supplied an exercise bike, and our aim is to cover the distance between all Suffolk’s libraries and raise money for the important work we do.
Author event with Nicky Moxey at Capel St Mary Library
Join us for a special event with local author Nicky Moxey at Capel St Mary Library on Saturday 11 March!
Nicky will share her stories and experiences as she delves into history and the part our local area played in it. Nicky has written two novels based in and around Dodnash Priory, Sheriff and the Priest and The Priest's Son, as well as other stories. Nicky will also be signing copies of her book.
Author event with Kate Thompson at Felixstowe Library
Author Kate Thompson will be visiting Felixstowe Library on Saturday 11 March to talk about her new book, The Little Wartime Library! Tickets are available to purchase from either Felixstowe Library or Kesgrave Library.
Photographic Archive Exhibition at Stradbroke Library
Interested in seeing what Stradbroke used to look like in the past? Check out this photographic archive exhibition at the church, featuring photographs by William Girling, Harry Webb and Geoffrey Smith! Pop down to All Saints Church on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March to see Stradbroke through the years.
‘My Favourite Space’ Competition at Brandon Library
Recreate your favourite space using LEGO and enter your design into our competition for the chance to win a LEGO set from Brandon Library! Build your ideal room, cinema, park, football pitch or library, or create it at home and email in a picture to Brandon.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk between Sunday 12 and Sunday 19 March.
Book Quiz and Sponsored Read at Bury St Edmunds Library
How well do you know your books? Collect a take-away quiz sheet and test your literary knowledge for the chance to win a £10 book voucher! Quiz sheets are available to collect from the library and must be returned by Saturday 18 March.
Is your child an avid reader? Challenge them to take part in our sponsored read! A great way to get ahead on their development and to explore all the amazing children’s books available. Sponsor forms are available to collect from the library and must be returned by Saturday 18 March.
More events in libraries taking place throughout March:
- Saturday 4: Fundraising Quiz Night at Debenham Library
- Sunday 5: Afternoon Tea and Book Sale at Debenham Library
- Wednesday 8: Fundraising Quiz at Ipswich Library
- Friday 10 – Saturday 11: Book and Cake Sale at Halesworth Library
- Saturday 11: Dog-Themed Crafts at Haverhill Library
- Saturday 11: Family Treasure Hunt, Cake Sale and Where's Wally Character Hunt at Thurston Library
- Saturday 11: Treasure Hunt, Cake Stall and Quiz Night at Southwold Library
- Saturday 11: Fundraising Tabletop Sale at Oulton Broad Library
- Saturday 11: Cake Sale and Crafts at Woodbridge Library
- Saturday 11: Homemade Village Market at Glemsford Library
- Saturday 11: Cake Sale, Crafts and Face Painting at Hadleigh Library
- Saturday 11: Big Library Sale, Scavenger Hunt and Where’s Oona Competition at Brandon Library
- Saturday 11: Family Fun Day at Newmarket Library
- Saturday 11: Coffee Morning and Oona the Owl Activities at Eye Library
- Saturday 11: Judges’ Dreams of Time and Space at Framlingham Library
- Saturday 11: Teddy Bear Picnic and Crafts at Beccles Library
- Saturday 11: Book Sale and Crafts at Needham Market Library
- Saturday 11: Fundraising Car Wash and Bake Sale at Gainsborough Community Library
- Saturday 11 – Sunday 12: Treasure Hunt and Book Sale at Bury St Edmunds Library
- Saturday 11 – Sunday 12: Big Weekender at Leiston Library
- Saturday 11: Superhero Party at Great Cornard Library
- Sunday 12: Bake Off Competition and Bake Sale at Great Cornard Library
- Saturday 18: Fundraising Quiz Night at Haverhill Library.
Find out more about Suffolk Libraries Day.