Creative workshops for young people, lively singing and storytimes for toddlers, social meet-ups for adults and even free exercise sessions – it’s all going on at Suffolk Libraries! This is the message behind our new campaign to let Suffolk residents know 'what happens in the library'.
We want to get the word out to even more people so they can benefit from our many free services and activities. There’s even more going on this summer with new Blank Page workshops launching later this month for young people, the new Reading Quest for primary school children and even more free Jumpstart fitness activities.
Recent research has demonstrated that active library service members are very loyal to their local library, but many people – even regular customers – still don’t fully appreciate the breadth of activities and entertainment on offer.
If you're reading this, the chances are you're already a regular visitor to our libraries. Do you know about the full range of activities and projects we run? Can you help spread the word by passing the message onto to your friends or family?
Our new website aims to better reflect the range of activities available and make it easier for people to find out what’s happening at their local library, as well as making it easier to find out about the many ways Suffolk Libraries can help you with your wellbeing. We want more people to visit our what's on and check out the seemingly endless list of activities available. This includes Zumba, language courses, author events, wellbeing drop-ins, singing and storytimes for toddlers and babies, knitting and sewing, art and crafts activities, banking services, help to get online, board games, jigsaws and coding. Over 201k people enjoyed events and activities at libraries in Suffolk in 2023/24 and our recent customer survey revealed that 97% of people rated its events and activities as excellent (62%) or good (35%).
A young person who enjoyed the Blank Page Easter workshops with her friends said:
"I don't think any of us would know each other if it wasn't for the library. I volunteer at the library quite often and it's very fun. When there's workshops like this, we know that each other will be there, and we get to meet other people as well, and we get to make new friends – it’s fun!"
Millions of books are still borrowed from the county’s libraries and there is an extensive online eLibrary service offering free eBooks, e-audio books, music and film streaming and online newspapers. But books are just the beginning! For example, the Suffolk Libraries wellbeing service also runs a menopause support project, Moving Minds physical activity programme, Reading with Dementia groups, alcohol awareness sessions and a period poverty scheme.
Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, said:
“Suffolk Libraries makes a huge positive impact on the lives of thousands of people every year. We’re launching this campaign because we want to reach even more people. Suffolk residents are passionate about our libraries and we want to use the power of word of mouth to get our message out to the widest possible audience. The campaign is also designed to prompt our regular visitors to try something new. What we offer is constantly evolving and we’re rightly proud of what we do so it’s all about creating a buzz and getting more people to check out what happens in libraries!”
Please help us by sharing any messages about the campaign on social media and using the hashtag #WhatHappensInTheLibrary! Why not tag in your friends if you see something which might be of interest to them?
