Ipswich County Library

Manager: Marion Harvey
Northgate Street, Ipswich
IP1 3DE
- Tel: 01473 927260
- Email: help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
- Friends group: Friends of Ipswich County Library
- Newsletter: Sign up
Branch updates
The library will be opening at 11am on Tuesday 7 January.
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.
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
- 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:
- Board Games Library - see the Ipswich Board Games Library information sheet (PDF) for further information
- Jigsaw swap - bring in a complete puzzle and exchange it for one from the table
IT and printing facilities
- Free wifi
- Book a computer
- Borrow a BBC micro:bit
- Photocopying: available
- Colour printing: available
- Fax
- Printing, photocopying & scanning charges
Regular events and activities
Children's events
Baby bounce
Wednesday, 1415-1445
Soothing songs and gentle nursery rhymes for babies, term-time only.
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. Currently on Christmas break, resumes 9 January.
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.
Play, rhyme and storytime: for young children
Thursday, 1030-1115
Tot Rock
Wednesday, 1015-1045
Drop in for songs and action rhymes for toddlers, term-time only.
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. Currently on Christmas break, resumes 9 January.
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
Open space: drop in for health info and chats. All welcome.
Wednesday, 1300-1500
See the latest Ipswich Open Space timetable.
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
Quiz night
Wed 18 Dec, 2019 1900 –
Festive Film Fun: Elf
Sat 21 Dec, 2019 1430 – 1700
Jumpstart January: Everyday Wellbeing workshop with Wellbeing Suffolk
Tue 7 Jan, 2020 1730 – 1930
Jumpstart January: Mindfulness workshop with Wellbeing Suffolk
Tue 7 Jan, 2020 1600 – 1700
Jumpstart January: Cuppa and a chat with Wellbeing Suffolk
Wed 8 Jan, 2020 0930 – 1130
Jumpstart January: Everyday Wellbeing workshop with Wellbeing Suffolk
Sat 18 Jan, 2020 1130 – 1330
Jumpstart January: Mindfulness workshop with Wellbeing Suffolk
Sat 18 Jan, 2020 1000 – 1100
Jumpstart January: Mindfulness workshop with Wellbeing Suffolk
Mon 20 Jan, 2020 1200 – 1300
Jumpstart January: Everyday Wellbeing workshop with Wellbeing Suffolk
Mon 20 Jan, 2020 1400 – 1600
Meet the Author: Jackie Carreira
Wed 29 Jan, 2020 1415 –
Suffolk New College student art exhibition
Tue 11 Feb, 2020 1100 – 1500
Suffolk New College student art exhibition
Fri 14 Feb, 2020 1300 – 1700
Suffolk New College student art exhibition
Tue 18 Feb, 2020 1100 – 1500
Suffolk New College student art exhibition
Fri 21 Feb, 2020 1300 – 1700