Suffolk Libraries, and indeed library services across the country, continue to play a fundamental role in the community, evolving over the last few decades from simply a place to borrow books (although this is still central to our offering) into a vibrant hive of social activity. Whether it’s providing computer access and printing facilities, regular free group activities for children and adults alike, or simply a safe place to relax and shelter from the busy world outside, Ipswich County Library remains a key resource for the people of the town. In the face of the cost of living crisis, Suffolk Libraries recently launched its Be Kind In Kind campaign to encourage both our staff and library users to do that little extra to help others. Here at Ipswich we have a kindness rack with warm clothing that has been donated, we continue to supply free sanitary products upon request through our Pride & Periods program, and the Nook café has begun a Pay It Forward scheme where customers can pay a little extra to provide a free hot drink for someone else in need.

Ipswich County Library not only provides these services free to the public, representing huge value for money in preventative health and wellbeing care, but we also provide vital meeting space for other local organisations in The Hub, our set of business suites on the second floor of the library. These three rooms have been utilised in a variety of ways including hosting health check-ups through One Life Suffolk, one-to-one working coaching sessions with Realise Futures, and plus training events and team meetings for trusts and organisations such as Suffolk Family Carers and the New Anglian Growth Hub. Each room can be configured for multiple different uses and we’re incredibly pleased to be working with our new café, The Nook, to provide a range of catering packages from tea and coffee up to full lunch buffets. These rooms start at just £10 an hour for charities and we offer a discount to those making block bookings.

Find out more at The Hub at Ipswich County Library | Suffolk Libraries or email hub@suffolklibraries.co.uk for bookings enquiries.