Why we need your support
We’re a charity that provides all of Suffolk’s library services. We’re funded by, but independent from, Suffolk County Council, and we make life better for thousands of Suffolk’s residents.
Support us
We reach thousands of Suffolk people every year, through events, pre-school activities, wellbeing drop-ins, arts residencies and by simply providing a safe, non-judgemental place to be. And we lend physical and digital books – millions of them every year.
We haven’t closed any libraries since taking over their control in 2012. In fact, we now reach thousands more people every year, through events, pre-school activities, wellbeing drop-ins, arts residencies and by simply providing a safe, non-judgemental place to be.
And we lend physical and digital books – millions of them every year. Suffolk County Council provides most of our funding. However, our budget is more than a third less than in 2012, and the Council continues to face cuts from central government. We make life in Suffolk better and you can help us carry on our work by donating.
Donating
Online donation with Golden Giving
Use our Golden Giving service to make an online donation:
Join our Supporter scheme with a single annual payment, or by Direct Debit.
You'll receive a unique enamel pin badge and an exclusive monthly newsletter packed with advance notice of new library titles and recommendations, offers and competitions.
Use our Text Giving service
All text donations incur a charge of two texts at your standard message rate:
- Text 1LIBRARY to 70085 to donate £1
- Text 5LIBRARY to 70085 to donate £5
- Text 10LIBRARY to 70085 to donate £10
Use easyfundraising, a completely free service you use when shopping online:
Understanding how we make life better: Suffolk Libraries in numbers
14,290
Total number of events and activities organised by Suffolk Libraries over a year
See what’s on
600
Average number of attendees at sessions designed to prevent social isolation among over-55s, every week
Find an event for older people
1,183
Average number of attendees at events and activities for pre-school children, every week
Find a pre-school event
178
Average number of attendees at events and activities designed to help health and wellbeing, every week
Find a health & wellbeing event
609
Number of people receiving Home Library Service/Outreach services on average, every quarter
Find out about home deliveries
96,705
Number of children registered as library users in Suffolk, 75% of the population
Get children’s recommendations
3,175,380
Issues across all formats (books, eBooks, eAudio, music streaming etc.), up 2.5% on previous year
Borrow something
70
Library reading groups
Join a group
1,658
Number of people Suffolk Libraries got online through digital training sessions, over a year
Find a training course
393
Number of free internet devices available across 44 sites
Use a library PC
1,185,583
Website views
Suffolk Libraries Website
859,557
Number of online reservations and renewals over a year
Use the catalogue
(All data for 2018-19)
Understanding how we make life better: Library stories
Whether it’s through connecting older people with each other over a tea and a chat, providing free high speed broadband and work spaces for study and business, or by helping you discover a great read, we improve the lives of thousands of Suffolk people.
I found the library when I was at a low place, my confidence was low… thanks to Chantry Library providing a safe space and helping me feel strong again, I was able to apply for a seasonal job.
Chantry Library customer
