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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
  • Which? and Which? Travel 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.

IT and printing facilities

Room and space 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

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

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. 50p for hot drinks and biscuits.

Top Time: events and activities for older people

Thursday, 1415-1545

Reading groups

BooksFizz reading group

last Wednesday of the month, 1400-1500

50p for hot drinks and biscuits.

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. 50p including a coffee or tea and a biscuit.

Arts, crafts & games

Inside the lines: adult colouring group

Tuesday, 1030-1130

Held in the Hub, £1 a session.

Health & wellbeing events

Keep Fit

Friday, 1745-1845

£25 for 6 classes, fitness conditioning, all levels welcome, bring a towel/exercise mat and bottle of water, please book in advance.

Lifting Spirits 2017/18

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 2017/18

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

No session Friday 2 March.

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

Fundraising, stalls & book sales

Table top sale

first Saturday of the month. March's sale postponed until 10 March due to poor weather conditions., 1000-1600

To reserve a table, email a completed booking form (.docx) to ipswich.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk and see our Terms and Conditions (PDF) and Code of Conduct (PDF).

Upcoming special events