Many of our libraries have released initial details of the events and activities they plan to hold on and around the first ever Suffolk Libraries Day on Saturday 12 October.
Suffolk Libraries Day is designed to generate support and awareness of Suffolk’s library service and its impact on the county. It takes place at the end of National Libraries Week and will see special events take place at all 44 of our libraries, with the aim of showcasing everything they have to offer the community. The day will also raise funds to support the service.
Highlights include:
North Suffolk and Waveney
- Magic show, pop-up café and book sale at Brandon Library
- Sponsored read at Bungay Library
- Literary festival including authors, workshops, a library trail and book fair at Lowestoft Library
- ‘Love your Library’ fair with a calendar competition at Oulton Broad Library
- Creating a large three-panelled artwork at Stradbroke Library
Ipswich area
- Readathon with Sproughton Primary School at Broomhill Library
- Cinderella ball and disco and community Womble litter pick at Chantry Library
- Singathon on the Cornhill involving all Ipswich libraries, organised by Gainsborough Community Library
- Sponsored walk around Ipswich visiting each library, managed by Stoke Library
West Suffolk
- A ‘step behind the desk…’ experience to live that librarian fantasy at Bury St Edmunds Library
- A children’s treasure hunt around the town from Clare Library
- Evening 60s, 70s and 80s Old Skool Disco at Glemsford Library
- Family history open event at Haverhill Library
- ‘Apple Day’ with apple-based food, a working apple press and crafts at Long Melford Library
- Scavenger hunt around the library and a children’s author visit at Sudbury Library
East Suffolk
- Walk or cycle between Saxmundham, Leiston and Aldeburgh libraries with the Three Library Challenge
- Photography exhibition and visit from BPF Librarian Dr Nicholas Clark at Aldeburgh Library
- Meet the Author event with Kate Thompson at Felixstowe Library
The mobile library service will also be holding a fundraising raffle.
Suffolk Libraries business development manager Nikki Hulse said: “We’re thrilled at the creativity and dedication of our staff to run such a range of fun and diverse events. Like our library spaces, there’s something for everyone and we hope that they encourage people to see what libraries have to offer and show why we need the public’s support.”
During the week leading up to Suffolk Libraries Day, a Book Journey Challenge will also take place, with Suffolk businesses coming together to get the book from Bungay to Haverhill, visiting all of the county’s libraries in between.
Full details of all the events will soon be confirmed and posted on our Suffolk Libraries Day page. You can also visit your local library to find out more