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Support us

More than 55,000 people visit our libraries every week. We tackle social isolation, improve wellbeing and inform & entertain. Help us continue to make life better for the people of Suffolk.

Two women playing with babies in a library.
Baby Bounce at Woodbridge Library

Why we need your support

We’re a charity that provides all of Suffolk’s library services. Many people don’t realise we’re independent from Suffolk County Council.

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.

How to donate

Use our Golden Giving service to make an online donation:

Golden Giving

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:

easyfundraising

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
600
Average number of attendees at sessions designed to prevent social isolation among over-55s, every week
1,183
Average number of attendees at events and activities for pre-school children, every week
178
Average number of attendees at events and activities designed to help health and wellbeing, every week
609
Number of people receiving Home Library Service/Outreach services on average, every quarter
96,705
Number of children registered as library users in Suffolk, 75% of the population
3,175,380
Issues across all formats (books, eBooks, eAudio, music streaming etc.), up 2.5% on previous year
70
Library reading groups
1,658
Number of people Suffolk Libraries got online through digital training sessions, over a year
393
Number of free internet devices available across 44 sites
1,185,583
Number of website views over a year
859,557
Number of online reservations and renewals over a year

All data relates to 2018-2019

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

Sarell Payne and family in a library

It’s a space for everybody

My 8 year old is autistic, so he reads a lot and quickly. My son loves to go through the books. There are always themed books on display and if I want to get the kids out, it’s a nice walk… My family has also used the library at times to look for work and my mum uses the computers and the printing services. It’s a space for everybody.
– Sarelle Payne, Woodbridge Library customer

Sarell Payne and family in a library

I bring my grandchildren here

Growing up, it felt like the only way for the economically disadvantaged to get educated. You could get a book on history or politics… I bring my grandchildren here and we’ll all choose some books together. I will come in sometimes just to have a look and speak to the staff here. It’s a good place to come in and have a chat.
– Dennis Stevens, Stowmarket Library customer