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Ipswich County Library

Manager: Marion Harvey

Northgate Street, Ipswich
IP1 3DE

Tel: 01473 263810
Email: help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Friends group: Friends of Ipswich County Library
Newsletter: Sign up

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Branch facilities

  • Accessibility information
  • Payments: cash, cheques and cards accepted
  • Special collections: African Caribbean resources, Indic language resources, Music & drama library
  • Out-of-hours book return available
  • Customer toilet
  • Display space: Double sided display case available for hire - please book 2 weeks in advance

IT and printing facilities

Room hire

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

Regular events and activities

Children's events

Baby bounce: soothing songs and gentle nursery rhymes for babies (term time only)

Wednesday, 1415-1445

Chess club for 6-16 year olds - on summer break, no sessions until September

Saturday, 1000-1130

Children’s craft activities

Sunday, 1030-1130

Minecraft group for ages 8-13: bring your own devices

Tuesday, 1530-1630

Play, rhyme and storytime: activities for young children

Thursday, 1030-1115

Tot Rock: songs and action rhymes for toddlers (term time only) – drop-in

Wednesday, 1015-1045

Older people's events

Top Time: events and activities for older people

Thursday, 1430-1600

Reading groups

BooksFizz reading group: 50p for hot drinks and biscuits

last Wednesday of the month, 1400-1500

IT help

Introduction to computers: 6 week course for beginners – book in advance

Tuesday, 1400-1630

Language courses

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

Monday, 1000-1200

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

Thursday, 1000-1200

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

Tuesday, 1000-1200

Conversation cafe: drop in and improve your English speaking and listening skills with the help of native and fluent English speakers. 50p including a coffee or tea and a biscuit

Friday every 2 weeks, 1000-1200

Arts, crafts & games

Board Games Library: borrow a board game to play in the library (£1) or at home (£1-£3), or a children's board game to play in the library (free). Available from the ground floor desk. Donations of good-quality board games appreciated.

Every day, All day

Inside the lines: adult colouring group – held in the Hub, £1 a session

Tuesday, 1030-1130

Health & wellbeing events

Lifting Spirits with Suffolk Family Carers - women's singing project for carers - speak to your Suffolk Family Carers contact if you require respite care to attend

every other Monday, 1920-2120

Music in Mind with Suffolk Family Carers - singing for family carers, with a mental health focus - speak to your Suffolk Family Carers contact if you require respite care to attend

every other Monday, 1400-1600

New Age Kurling

Friday, 1000-1300

Slimming World: held in the lecture hall

Thursday, 0930-1130

Slimming World: held in the lecture hall

Thursday, 1200-1330

Stitching Time: learn basic techniques on a sewing machine - £30 for a six-week course starting 9 May - please book in advance at the library - fabric provided but bring your own if you wish - no session 30 May

Tuesday, 1300-1500

Councillor surgeries & professional advice

New Anglia Growth Hub free business advice from Kurt Scheepers and William Millar in the Hub: book in advance

Tuesday every 2 weeks, 1300-1330, 1330-1400, 1400-1430, 1430-1500

Fundraising, stalls & book sales

Table top sales: book a stall in advance for £6 (£5 for Friends of Ipswich Library)

Wednesday, 1000-1600

Table top sales: book a stall in advance for £6 (£5 for Friends of Ipswich Library)

Saturday, 1000-1600

Upcoming special events