Suffolk Libraries

The Suffolk Libraries website has had a makeover! Our all-new website has been designed specifically to tell the full story of what we do, as shown in this new video. 'Where I Belong' explains how libraries are places where our story starts, where we grow, where we connect, where we play and where we create! At our libraries you can discover books and so much more from free wellbeing drop-ins, nurturing play groups, or just a well-needed third space. Our website is the gateway to discovering all this and the new site is designed to better reflect the huge range of services and activities we now offer right across the county, with wellbeing an integral part of everything we do. Please visit www.suffolklibraries.co.uk and see what's new. #SuffolkLibraries #WhereIBelong https://lnkd.in/eTcJDBTE

It's finally here! Our fantastic new literacy programme Reading Quest gets underway tomorrow when children can sign up to take part for free in any of our libraries! A lot of hard work has gone into revitalising our summer literacy campaign to make it more engaging for children and families. It's more Suffolk-centric too with a fun map of the county to inspire children to take part in various reading quests. You'll see some lovely video clips on our other social media channels showing local schoolchildren checking out the map. The serious part is that these programmes have been proven to help maintain children's literacy and reading skills over the summer so we want as many children to take part and benefit as possible. We couldn't have produced all the new colourful resources without the support of Advantage Angels who have provided sponsorship for Reading Quest 2024 and 2025. Thank you! https://lnkd.in/eFD8_ibY #SuffolkLibraries #ReadingQuest

We're delighted that the daisy chain created for our Make a Difference with a Daisy fundraising campaign is now on display at Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park. Please do come and see it! Thank you to Jimmy Doherty, Michaela and everyone at Jimmy's for their support and to our sponsors SmartestEnergy. Read the full story on our website. https://lnkd.in/dXwwG7xp #SuffolkLibraries

We're delighted to be the first library service in the UK to offer LinkedIn Learning FREE to our customers. Anyone with a Suffolk Libraries account can now access a collection of over 16,000 online courses in business, computer technology, software and creative skills, all conducted by experts in their fields. The courses are a great way of learning new skills, whether it’s something to help your career or a creative skill you’d like to master. More information on our website - please spread the word! https://lnkd.in/eqczAbV8 Jordie Wilson Antony Whetham LinkedIn #SuffolkLibraries

Exciting news about Suffolk's biggest daisy chain which is moving to Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park next week! Thank you to our patron Caela Doherty for her support for our big fundraising campaign.

This week is Libraries Change Lives Week. A campaign run by CILIP: The library and information association to show the huge impact libraries have across the UK. Three of our case studies have been highlighted: Menopause & Me, Blank Page and Jumpstart. These are just some of the examples of how, by working with other organisations and some fantastic local people from Suffolk, our library service is making a difference across the county. Read more on our website. https://lnkd.in/evcrwiwW

Suffolk Libraries is a charity and raising additional funds to support our vital work in communities is an ongoing priority for us. Thankfully we have some fantastic supporters and staff willing to go the extra mile (literally!) to raise money. If you'd like to support us there are a number of ongoing opportunities at the moment: Our CEO Bruce Leeke and our Head of Finance Mandy Wilkinson (pictured) are doing the Orwell Walk this weekend - it's not too late to sponsor them at https://ow.ly/9Gyp50SlyoX One of our young trustees Belle Bradley is also going to have the adrenaline rush of a lifetime when she takes on a parachute jump with her partner Jacob Bathgate in July! You can read sponsor her at https://ow.ly/RWG250Slyp0 In August one of our customers, Tina Boniface is also undertaking a sponsored cycle challenge for Suffolk Libraries. Tina says: "My reasons to do the Charity Ride is purely to 'Give Back' to Suffolk Libraries. Felixstowe Library has alleviated certain issues I face daily and for this I am eternally grateful." You can sponsor her via https://ow.ly/Xtpu50Slyp1 Plus of course we have our Make a Difference with a Daisy campaign running and you can still donate and secure your very own daisy! https://ow.ly/1zQ250SlyoZ Read more about our impact at https://ow.ly/ylH150SlyoY

We're drawing attention to the huge range of activity in our libraries this week as we launch our new What Happens in the Libary Campaign. So much of what we do is about providing opportunities for people to come together in a safe and non judgemental space to make connections or try something new. So we fully support #LonelinessAwarenessWeek We've had hundreds of comments like this one in our recent customer survey: “The library brings me both solace and information through the books. It has also helped me find new friends and interests through the groups I have joined. The staff have been helpful and encouraging and have helped us settle into the community, I absolutely love the place.” You can find social activities and regular events for adults on our website https://lnkd.in/eUVkGw4g plus our health and wellbeing section is packed with information about other sources of support and information and the other people out there who can help. #SuffolkLibraries #WhatHappensInTheLibrary

Today we launch our new summer campaign 'What Happens in the Library'!    Creative workshops for young people, lively singing and storytimes for toddlers, social meet-ups for adults and even free exercise sessions – it’s all going on at Suffolk Libraries. We want to spread the word and get even more people visiting libraries and checking out what we've got on offer. Can you help us spread the word? We're already reaching out to lots of the organisations we work closely with and we have a toolkit with messaging/social media content etc we can send you or you can reshare the posts which will be popping up on social media. https://lnkd.in/euJyRE9n #WhatHappensInTheLibrary #SuffolkLibraries

We posted an update from our Peoples' Champions Awards earlier in the week which were held as part of National Volunteers Week. We've also created this video showing highlights from the event and interviews with some of the volunteers who support Suffolk Libraries. This not only shows what a fantastic team of volunteers we have, but also the many benefits people get from volunteering. Find out more about volunteering for Suffolk Libraries on our website https://lnkd.in/eWAm-6Hq #VolunteersWeek #SuffolkLibraries https://lnkd.in/eKqhP-6h