In our area, Suffolk has libraries in Beccles, Bungay, Eye, Halesworth, Lowestoft, Oulton Broad, Southwold and Stradbroke. Visit Suffolk Libraries website for more details.
In Norfolk, there’s Caister, Diss, Great Yarmouth, Harleston, and Loddon. Details are on the Norfolk Libraries & Information Service website.
Both counties have a mobile library service (details below, but visit the library website for the latest information).
Stradbroke Library
Stradbroke’s library serves its community well as part of a central hub, offering many invaluable facilities. The cafe runs two morning a week and has a dementia friend group every first Friday in the month. IT and printing facilities, parking available and customer toilets, out of hours book returns, cafe facilities in the old court house next door. Stradbroke Post Office runs within the library. Regular events for all ages plus local reading groups. Friends group: Stradbroke Courthouse and Library Trust
Court House, Queens Street, Stradbroke IP21 5HG. Tel 01379 384768. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Manager Maureen John
Monday 2-5,
Tuesday 2-5
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 9-1, 2-5
Friday 2-5
Saturday 9-1
Sunday Closed
Eye Library
We are still very much settling into our new library, and it’s far busier with many more members already. We are offering a weekend youth coding club and have a pop-up coffee shop every fortnight. This is not my library: it’s for the community, so whatever the community would like, I am happy to try and make it happen. IT and printing facilities, free customer parking, out of hours book returns, events and reading groups. Friends group: Eye Library Friend
6 Cross Street, Eye IP23 7AB. Tel 01379 870515. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Manager Julie Shepherd
Monday Closed
Tuesday 9-1
Wednesday 9-1, 2-6
Thursday 2-5
Friday 9-1, 2-5
Saturday 9-1
Sunday 10-3
Diss Library
Diss Library is an essential hub within the local community, providing valuable resources, activities and support to all those who need it, from new parents and their children all the way through to the older community. With approachable and knowledgeable staff, and a growing network of volunteers, the library is developing a programme of activities and events that will hopefully prove as popular as the books, audiobooks, DVDs and ICT facilities. Also IT and printing services (computers can be booked in advanced online) wifi, storytime sessions and an open library service.
Church Street, Diss IP22 4DD. Tel 01379 642609. libraries@norfolk.gov.uk
Manager Ryan Watts
Monday 8-7 (staffed 10-7)
Tuesday 8-7 (Open Library access only)
Wednesday 8-7 (staffed 10-7)
Thursday 8-7 (staffed 10-7)Friday
Friday 8-7 (staffed 10-7)
Saturday 8-4 (staffed 10-4)
Sunday 10-4 (Open Library access only)
Harleston Library
Set back from the town centre beside the police station, Harleston Library is full of resources. The team of approachable and knowledgeable staff will see that your questions are answered. There are specialist collections among the book stock as well as audiobooks, a baby weighing station and recently refreshed ICT facilities – to say nothing of the children’s events being hosted in the branch. Colour photocopier, automatic doors, disabled WC, car park, books for loan ( information, education, leisure), large print books, language courses on tape. Information service, book request service, free computer access and wifi, self-service, DVDs, BBC Micro:bits. A weekly Lego club, every Wednesday 3:45 – 4:45pm.
Swan Lane, Harleston IP20 9AW. Tel 01379 852549. libraries@norfolk.gov.uk
Manager Ryan Watts
Monday 8-7 (staffed 11.30-7)
Tuesday 8-7 (Open Library access only)
Wednesday 8-7 (staffed 10-7)
Thursday 8-7 (Open Library access only)
Friday 8-7 (staffed 11.30-7)
Saturday 8-4 (staffed 11.30-4)
Sunday 10-4 (Open Library access only)
Halesworth Library
IT and printing facilities, out-of-hours book returns, customer toilet; no parking. Refreshments: £1 for coffee or tea. Window space available to hire for posters and notices. For sale: stamps, cards, artwork, jewellery, books from local authors, reading glasses and accessories from ReadySpex, Halesworth Library bags, bookmarks and pens. Regular children’s and older people’s events, reading and writing groups, IT help and support, arts, crafts & games, health & wellbeing events. Councillor surgeries and professional advice. Friends group: Friends of Halesworth County Library. On Facebook & Twitter.
Bridge Street, Halesworth IP19 8AD. Tel 01986 875095. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Monday 9.30-12
Tuesday 9.30-5.30
Wednesday 9.30-5.30
Thursday Closed
Friday 9.30-6
Saturday 9.30-5
Sunday 10-3
Bungay Library
Bungay is very much a community library and at the heart of its people. Many activities and events are offered to community members of all ages. IT and printing facilities, free wifi. Photocopying, colour printing, scan to personal USB. Book a computer. Cash, cheques and cards accepted, car park opposite the library, free sanitary products available, Foodbank collection point throughout the year. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate for sale. Children’s events, reading groups, IT help & support, language courses, arts, crafts and games, health & wellbeing events, fundraising, stalls & book sales. Friends group: Bungay Community Library.On Facebook.
Wharton Street, Bungay NR35 1EL. Tel 01986 892748. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Manager Amanda King
Monday 9-2.30
Tuesday 9-5
Wednesday 9-5
Thursday 9-5
Friday 9-5
Saturday 9-5
Sunday Closed
Beccles Library
Totally community orientated, offering many activities and events for all members of our community. Even today for example we currently have a group in learning CPR and how to use a defibrillator and this morning we had a group of very young children planting pots. We are all very proud of our community library. Room & venue hire. IT and printing, free wifi, book a computer, photocopying, colour printing, scan to email., Out-of-hours book returns, Customer toilet. Public car park with six free 1-hour spaces; paid parking also available. Cash, cheques and cards accepted. Double-sided noticeboard for non-commercial event posters. Fairtrade coffee and snacks for sale. Memory boxes (1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s) available to local borrowers for up to three weeks. No library card required. Contact the library for more information. Regular children’s and older people’s events, reading and writing groups, IT help and support, language courses, arts, crafts and games, health and wellbeing events. Friends group: Beccles Library Community Trust. On Facebook, Twitter.
Blyburgate, Beccles NR34 9TB. Tel 01502 442820. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Manager Annaliese Matheron-Avery
Monday 9.30-5
Tuesday 9.30-5
Wednesday 9.30-5
Thursday 9.30-5
Friday 9.30-7.30
Saturday 9.30-5
Sunday 10-4
Oulton Broad Library
Room and space hire, parking Parking: available, out-of-hours book return, IT and printing facilities, free wifi, , regular children’s and older people’s events, reading groups. IT help & support. Book a computer online. Cash, cheques and cards accepted. Friends group: Friends of Oulton Broad Library. On Facebook.
Council Offices, 92 Bridge Road, Oulton Broad NR32 3LR. Tel 01502 583135. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Manager Jane Rothon
Monday 10-12
Tuesday 10-1, 2-5
Wednesday 10-1, 2-5
Thursday 10-1, 2-5
Friday 10-1, 2-6
Saturday 10-1, 2-5
Sunday 11-4
Loddon Library
Computers can be booked online, Disabled person’s WC, ramp access, car park with disabled parking, large print books, language courses on tape, information service, free computer access and wifi, self-service, DVDs and BBC Micro:bits.
31 Church Plain, Loddon NR14 6EX. Tel 01508 520678. libraries@norfolk.gov.uk
Monday 8-7 (Staffed 10-7)
Tuesday 8-7 (Open Library access only)
Wednesday 8-7 (Open library access only)
Thursday 8-7 (Staffed 10-7)
Friday 8-7 (Staffed 2-7)
Saturday 8-4 (Staffed 1-4)
Sunday 10-4 (Open Library access only)
Great Yarmouth Library
Recorded music, galleries, meeting rooms for hire, disabled WC, colour printer/photocopier, automatic doors, wheelchair accessible lift, fax services, customer toilets. Books for loan (information, education, leisure), large print books, language courses on tape, information service, book request service, free computer access and wifi, self-service, DVDs and BBC Micro:bits. Follow the library on Facebook for news about the Friends Group and other Great Yarmouth Library events. On Facebook.
Tolhouse Street, Great Yarmouth NR30 2SH. Tel 01493 842279. yarmouth.lib@norfolk.gov.uk
Monday: 9-5
Tuesday: 9-5
Wednesday: 9-7.30
Thursday: 9-5
Friday: 9-5
Saturday 9-4.30
Caister Library
Computers can be booked online, photocopier, automatic doors, disabled WC, car park with disabled parking.Bounce and Rhyme time every Tuesday 2-2.45 A stories and rhymes event run with the support of Caister children’s centre. A drop-in session to encourage an early love of books and to support language development. Also a wonderful opportunity for parents, childminders and grandparents to meet and chat. Term time only.Just an afternoon cuppa Every Friday 3-4. Make new friends, or just have a chat: a drop-in session with a cuppa and biscuit
Beach Road, Caister on Sea NR30 5EX. Tel 01492 720594. libraries@norfolk.gov.uk
Monday 8-7 (staffed 10.30-7)
Tuesday 8-7 (staffed 2-7)
Wednesday 8-7 (Open Library access only)
Thursday 8-7 (staffed 10.30-7)
Friday 8-7 (staffed 2.30-7)
Saturday 8-4 (staffed 1-4)
Sunday 10-4 (Open Library access only)
Lowestoft Library
Room & venue hire (Room and space hire at Lowestoft Library). IT and printing facilities, Free wifi, Book a computer, Borrow a BBC micro:bit, Photocopying, Colour printing, Scan to email, Fax, Cash, cheques and cards accepted, Parking: available in public car parks nearby, Out-of-hours book return, , Free sanitary products available. Refreshments: café open 1000-1600 Tuesday-Friday. Foodbank referral. Lowestoft branch of the Suffolk Record Office on the first floor. See the Suffolk Record Office website for opening hours and contact details. Regular Children’s events, Older people’s events, Reading groups, Writing groups, IT help, Arts, crafts & games, Health & wellbeing events, Councillor surgeries & professional advice, Fundraising, stalls & book sales. Friends group: Friends of Lowestoft Library. On Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Clapham Road South, Lowestoft NR32 1DR. Tel 01502 442810, Fax 01502 528562. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Manager Jo Wilde
Monday 9-6
Tuesday 0-7
Wednesday 9-6
Thursday 9-7
Friday 9-6
Saturday 9-5
Sunday 10-4
Southwold Library
Local authors’ books. Regular children’s and older people’s events, reading groups, IT help and support, language courses, arts, crafts and games, councillor surgeries and professional advice. Out-of-hours book return. On-street parking only. Hot drinks for sale. Adopt a library animal (minimum £10 donation). Cash, cheques and cards accepted. Crafts, Southwold and Suffolk Coast Treasure Trails sheets. Branded bags and pens. Laminating (up to A4), foodbank collection point all year round, IT and printing facilities, free wifi, book a computer, borrow an iPad. Friends group: Friends of Southwold Library. On Facebook & Twitter
North Green, Southwold IP18 6AT. Tel 01502 722519. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Manager Charlotte Clark
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10-1, 2-6
Wednesday 10-1, 2-6
Thursday 10-1, 2-6
Friday 10-1, 2-6
Saturday 9.30-1, 2-5
Sunday 11-4
Mobile Libraries
Norfolk – 0344 800 8020 or contact local library
Every 4 weeks:
CEN117 Gissing, Shelfanger
CEN114 Bressingham
CEN 421 Dickleburgh, Scole
CEN513 Aldburgh, Wortwell
Suffolk – 01473 351249 or contact local library. help@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Manager Rob Alcraft and Peter Fiske
Saxmundham service route. Every 4 weeks:
Route 4 Friday Darsham, Westleton
Route 5 Tuesday Eye
Route 9 Tuesday Oulton
Route 10 Wednesday Blythburgh, Wangford
Route 11 Thursday Pakefield
Route 13 Tuesday Laxfield
Route 15 Thursday Halesworth, Bramfield
Route 16 Friday Wenhaston
Route 17 Saturday Lowestoft