Home → Libraries → Ipswich County Library

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

Social media:

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:

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

Chess club: for 6-16 year olds

Saturday, 1000-1130

Children’s craft activities

Sunday, 1030-1130

Summer Reading Challenge

Summer Reading Challenge

Monday-Saturday from 21 July, 0930-1700

Talk to a volunteer about your latest read, borrow your next book and collect rewards for your Summer Reading Challenge progress.

Summer Reading Challenge

Sundays from 22 July, 1000-1530

Talk to a volunteer about your latest read, borrow your next book and collect rewards for your Summer Reading Challenge progress.

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.

Writing groups
IT help

Digital Skills for work from Radius Computing: suitable for IT beginners and improvers

Mondays from 16 July, 1000-1200

£85 for a five-week course. Find out how to use email (including attachments), find information on the internet, save and file documents, and gain basic word processing skills. Use our equipment or bring your own laptop. Call 07436 283012 or email info@radiuscomputing.co.uk for more information and to book.

BCS Entry Level Award in Computer and Online Basics (ITQ) (Entry 3) from Radius Computing: suitable for IT beginners and improvers

Mondays from 16 July, 1300-1500

£95 for a seven-week course, £30 extra for BCS Certification. Learn the basic elements of a computer and how to use the desktop, word processor, the internet and email. Complete tasks in a high-quality paper workbook at your own pace to the tutor's satisfaction to achieve the qualification. Call 07436 283012 or email info@radiuscomputing.co.uk for more information and to book.

Security for IT users from Radius Computing: suitable for IT beginners and improvers

Fridays from 20 July, 1000-1200

£85 for a five-week course. Find out how to use a computer safely and securely, protecting your own data and that of others, with a focus on how to help young people stay safe online. Call 07436 283012 or email info@radiuscomputing.co.uk for more information and to book.

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

Art, alternative therapy and gift sale from the Crafty Collective

every other Thursday, 1000-1600

Upcoming special events