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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

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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 (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? and Which? Travel available - ask staff for magazine or to log in
  • For sale:
    • Cards for Good Causes: charity Christmas cards and items
    • Christmas cards for the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the Somersham Ward at Ipswich Hospital
    • Christmas stamps - speak to staff
  • Also available:
    • Scouts' Christmas postbox at the library until 10 December; 25p per card
    • 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

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

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.

IT help

Monthly digital skills workshops for absolute beginners and intermediates: £2, 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. November: social media; December: the cloud; January: Internet security. 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. 50p including a coffee or tea and a biscuit.

Arts, crafts & games

Inside the lines: adult colouring group

Tuesday, 1030-1130

Held in 'The Corner Place' on the ground floor, £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

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