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Ipswich County Library

Ipswich County Library

Manager: Charmain Osborne

Northgate Street, Ipswich
IP1 3DE

Branch updates

The customer lift will be out of use on Saturday 22 February. Please ask a member of staff if you require an assistance.

Opening hours

Day Hours
Monday 0900 – 1800
Tuesday 0900 – 1900
Wednesday 0900 – 1800
Thursday 0900 – 1800
Friday 0900 – 1900
Saturday 0830 – 1700
Sunday 1000 – 1600

Room & venue hire

Presentation suite, large meeting areas, meeting pods, wedding, ceremony & venue hire, study areas, lecture hall.

Room and space hire at Ipswich County Library →

Branch facilities

  • Accessibility information
  • Payments: cash, cheques and cards accepted
  • Special collections: African Caribbean resources, Indic language resources, Music & drama library (call 01473 927267 for Music & drama library services)
  • Out-of-hours book return available
  • Customer toilet
  • Free sanitary products available
  • Refreshments: Coffeelink café serving hot and cold drinks and snacks. Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 10am-3pm.
  • Display space: Double sided display case available for hire - please book 2 weeks in advance
  • Which? available - ask staff for magazine or to log in
  • Also available:

IT and printing facilities

Regular events and activities

Children's events

Chess club: for 6-16 year olds

Saturday, 1000-1130

Children’s craft activities

Sunday, 1030-1130

Creative Café with Rock Paper Scissors: for ages 8-18

Thursdays, 1600-1730

Explore creative activities, building your confidence and curiosity in a relaxed environment. Free but advance booking required by contacting the library. Run in partnership with BLOC.

Healthy Child Clinic: bring your baby to see a Health Visitor

Monday, 1330-1500

Drop in to the library's Corner Space for a check-up and to discuss any concerns.

Lego club: for ages 6+

every other Sunday, 1415-1530

Join us for some free Lego fun, with a different theme each session. Under 8s must be accompanied at all times. Booking essential as places are limited.

Older people's events

Sporting Memories reminiscence group

Tuesdays, 1415-1545

Handle sports images and memorabilia, revisit and share memories of sport, talk about any kind of sport, take part in quizzes, games and gentle activities and make new friends. £1 for hot drinks and biscuits.

Top Time: events and activities for older people: £1 for coffee/tea and a biscuit

Thursday, 1415-1545

Reading groups

BooksFizz reading group

last Wednesday of the month, 1400-1500

£1 for hot drinks and biscuits.

IT help

Monthly digital skills workshops for absolute beginners and intermediates: £5, book in advance by contacting the library as spaces are limited

first Thursday of the month, 1400-1530

Come and learn to use the Internet and your devices in a casual, friendly group led by a local computer expert. Each session has a different theme and features a short talk followed by expert-led Q&A and workshop. Tea and biscuits provided.

Language courses

Chat and Chill: group for women who speak English as an additional language

Monday, 0945-1145

Chat and Chill: group for women who speak English as an additional language

Wednesday, 0945-1145

Conversation cafe

Fridays, 1000-1200

Drop in and improve your English speaking and listening skills with the help of native and fluent English speakers. £1 including a coffee or tea and a biscuit.

Arts, crafts & games

Board games afternoon: for all ages

Saturday every 4 weeks, 1415-1615

Try out some tabletop games from our collection or bring your own to share. Free. Sponsored by Zatu Games.

Creative Café with Rock Paper Scissors: for ages 8-18

Thursdays, 1600-1730

Explore creative activities, building your confidence and curiosity in a relaxed environment. Free but advance booking required by contacting the library. Run in partnership with BLOC.

Inside the lines: adult colouring group

Tuesday, 1030-1130

Held in 'The Corner Place' on the ground floor, £1 a session.

Health & wellbeing events

Healthy Child Clinic: bring your baby to see a Health Visitor

Monday, 1330-1500

Drop in to the library's Corner Space for a check-up and to discuss any concerns.

Lifting Spirits 2019/20

every other Monday, 1920-2120

A women-only wellbeing singing project for family carers, people managing long-term mental or physical health issues and anyone who believes that singing with others might add to their quality of life! Funded by the Acorn and Bluebell Trusts via grants from the Suffolk Community Foundation.

Music in Mind 2019/20

every other Monday, 1400-1600

A wellbeing singing project for family carers, people managing long-term mental or physical health issues and anyone who believes that singing with others might add to their quality of life! Supported by the D'oyly Carte Trust, Elly's Fund and donations.

New Age Kurling

Friday, 1000-1300

Slimming World

Thursday, 0930-1130

Held in the lecture hall.

Slimming World

Thursday, 1200-1330

Held in the lecture hall.

Councillor surgeries & professional advice

New Anglia Growth Hub free business advice in the Hub: book in advance

sessions arranged on a mutually convenient basis, N/A

Upcoming special events