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Libraries

Gainsborough Community Library

Monday to Friday 9 - 9.30AM is self-service only.

Opening times

Monday 0900 - 1800
Tuesday 0900 - 1700
Wednesday 0900 - 1700
Thursday 0900 - 1700
Friday 0900 - 1800
Saturday 0900 - 1700
Sunday 1100 - 1600

Out-of-hours book return available

Contact

Manager: Mandy Grimwood

Clapgate Lane, Ipswich
IP3 0RL

Find us on Google Maps

01473 927270

help@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Connect with Gainsborough Community Library

Facebook

Voices for Gainsborough Community Library

Branch facilities

  • Customer toilet
  • Refreshments: available in our Voices café; open 10am to 4pm Mon-Tues and 10am to 2pm on Weds-Fri.
  • Payments: cash, cheques and cards accepted
  • Accessibility information on accessable.co.uk
  • Parking: small car park available at rear of library
  • Display space: two cork boards in cafe area for A3, A4 or A5 posters
  • Which? Available online and in print
  • Free menstrual products available

IT and printing facilities

Room and venue hire

Community room

Max 50 people
  • Capacity: 30 people for meetings, 50 people in rows
  • Refreshments available from Voices Cafe (when open)
  • Limited onsite parking - free roadside parking near library
  • Projector and screen available
  • Flipchart available on request
  • Availability: All day subject to other bookings. Bookings outside library opening hours may attract an additional charge to cover staffing cost.

Cost: £14 per hour for community/charity/private bookings, £21 per hour for commercial/statutory bookings

Meeting room

Max 15 people
  • Capacity: 10 people for meetings, 15 people in rows
  • Refreshments available from Voices Cafe (when open)
  • Limited onsite parking - free roadside parking near library
  • Flipchart available on request
  • Availability: All day subject to other bookings. Bookings outside library opening hours may attract an additional charge to cover staffing cost.

Cost: £9 per hour for community/charity/private bookings, £13.50 per hour for commercial/statutory bookings

Sound studio

Max 5 people
  • Capacity: 5 people
  • Refreshments available from Voices Cafe (when open)
  • Limited onsite parking - free roadside parking near library
  • Availability: Outside library opening hours only, subject to other bookings.

Cost: £8 per hour for community/charity/private bookings, £12 per hour for commercial/statutory bookings

Café area / space within library

Max 30 people
  • Capacity: Various (depending on part of library and format) but potentially up to 30 people in rows
  • Refreshments available from Voices Cafe (when open)
  • Limited onsite parking - free roadside parking near library
  • Flipchart available on request
  • Availability: Outside library opening hours only, subject to other bookings.

Cost: To be negotiated with library manager

Other information

  • Bookings are for a minimum of 2 hours
  • 12.5% discount for bookings of 8 sessions or more - upfront payment applies
  • Bookings outside of library opening hours may attract an additional charge to cover staff costs

Events and activities at Gainsborough Community Library

Upcoming special events

All special events

Gainsborough Library Christmas Fair

Fri 8 Dec 2023 , 15:00 – 18:00 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Join us for a very merry afternoon at our Christmas Fair and pick up a festive present, enjoy craft activities, carol singing and more.

Find out more

Calendar creation workshop with Chris James at Gainsborough Library

Wed 27 Dec 2023 , 10:00 – 15:00 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Join poet and artist Chris James for this free creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Library and learn how to make your own 2024 calendar.

Find out more

Digital art workshop

Digital art workshop with Michelle Brace at Gainsborough Library

Thu 28 Dec 2023 , 10:00 – 15:00 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Join digital artist Michelle Brace for this free creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Library and create a page for a light-up concertina book.

Find out more

Creative writing workshop with Poppy Stevens at Gainsborough Library

Fri 29 Dec 2023 , 10:00 – 15:00 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Join spoken word poet and theatre artist Poppy Stevens for this creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Library and turn your wishes for the year ahead into decorated poems.

Find out more

Regular events and activities

All events

Weekend Crafts for Children (Saturday session)

Enjoy childrens craft activities in the comfortable space of the library.

Sat 2 Dec 2023 , 14:00 – 15:00 ( Every Saturday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Weekend Crafts for Children (Sunday session)

Enjoy childrens craft activities in the comfortable space of the library.

Sun 3 Dec 2023 , 14:00 – 15:00 ( Every Sunday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Me, Myself and Baby

Stay & Play group for parents and under 5s

Enjoy some playtime with your baby or toddler whilst getting the chance to meet other parents in this weekly Stay & Play.

Mon 4 Dec 2023 , 10:00 – 12:00 ( Every Monday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Top Time - social group for older people

Join our social group for older people including games, quizzes, and chatting with others.

Mon 4 Dec 2023 , 14:00 – 16:00 ( Every Monday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Girls Group for 8-11 year olds

Learn new skills and make new friends at our weekly Girls Group for 8-11 year olds.

Mon 4 Dec 2023 , 16:15 – 17:45 ( Every Monday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Adult Craft Cafe

Come along to our friendly crafting social for adults.

Tue 5 Dec 2023 , 10:00 – 12:00 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Little Storymakers - story & crafts

Join us for a story and craft session for young children.

Tue 5 Dec 2023 , 10:30 – 11:30 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library

Singing Group

Get involved with a friendly singing session with local musician Carl.

Tue 5 Dec 2023 , 13:30 – 15:00 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library Donations welcome

Girls Group for 11-16 year olds

Learn new skills and make new friends at our weekly Girls Group for 11-16 year olds.

Tue 5 Dec 2023 , 15:45 – 17:15 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Men Can Talk - social group for men

Make new friends and share experiences at this friendly social group for men.

Tue 5 Dec 2023 , 19:00 – 21:00 ( First Tuesday of the month, Third Tuesday of the month) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry