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Half of Ipswich residents live within 15-minute walk of a library

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Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Ipswich has emerged as one of the best-connected areas for library access in the East of England, with 48% of residents able to reach a library within a 15-minute walk.

Why it matters: Libraries serve as vital community hubs providing educational resources, employment support, health care services and a free source of entertainment for kids and their parents. Having easy access to these facilities can significantly impact community wellbeing.

The big picture: Ipswich residents have better access to a nearby library than almost anywhere else in the East of England, new figures show.

  • Ipswich has seven public libraries, averaging one for every 19,900 residents

  • 93% of residents can reach a library within 30 minutes on foot

  • Every Ipswich resident lives within an hour's walk of a library

Libraries in Ipswich

How it compares:

  • London dominates national library access, with nine of the top 10 best-connected areas

  • Rural areas generally have poorer library access

  • The West Midlands has half of the 10 worst-connected areas

Between the lines: While Ipswich's library provision is strong, there are concerns about library services nationally:

  • More than 180 council-run libraries have closed or been transferred to volunteers since 2018

  • Around 2,000 library jobs have been lost in the same period

What they're saying: James Gray from Libraries Connected said: "Whether in cities, towns or rural areas, libraries play an essential community role: providing free access to books and information, developing digital skills, supporting business, encouraging healthy lifestyles and much more."

Looking ahead: Councils face significant funding challenges which could impact access to libraries both locally and nationally:

  • A £2.3bn funding gap is predicted for 2025-26

  • This could rise to £3.9bn in 2026-27

  • The Local Government Association is calling for "significant and sustained" government funding to maintain community services.

The bottom line: While Ipswich residents enjoy better library access than many parts of the country, the future of library services nationally faces uncertainty amid growing council funding pressures. In the meantime, let's be thankful for the brilliant access we have in our town.

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Suffolk Libraries CEO requests county council 'listen to reason' as takeover decision looms

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With over 22,000 petition signatures opposing the plan, the library charity makes its final appeal before today's cabinet meeting.

Why it matters: Hours before Suffolk County Council's cabinet meets to decide on taking the library service back in-house, Suffolk Libraries is highlighting what it claims Suffolk residents will lose under council management.

The big picture: The charity has run Suffolk's libraries for 12 and a half years and claims the takeover would jeopardise nearly £2.5m in annual financial benefits and numerous innovative services.

Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, and the County Library in Ipswich
Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, and the County Library in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

By the numbers: Suffolk Libraries says its charity status delivers substantial financial advantages:

  • £690,000 contributed by Friends' groups for furniture, equipment and refurbishments

  • £150,000 yearly from running prison libraries

  • £500,000 in rates relief due to charity status

  • Nearly £100,000 raised annually through fundraising

  • Almost £1m yearly in grant funding only available to charitable organisations

What they're saying: "We urge Suffolk County Council to listen to reason, to stand by its stated mission 'to make a positive difference for Suffolk', and 'striving to improve, and securing the best possible services'," said Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries.

He pleaded: "Ensure the people of Suffolk continue to benefit from the outstanding library service which has been heralded as the benchmark for excellence within the industry. Please don't make such an important decision based on flawed figures which so many Suffolk residents are clearly opposed to."

Beyond the money: Suffolk Libraries warns that several services may not continue under council control:

  • Arts Council funded programmes

  • Health and wellbeing projects such as Menopause & Me and Moving Minds

  • Community-led initiatives including Men Can Talk and LGBTQIA+ groups

  • The Be Kind to a Kid Christmas toy appeal that donated over 6,000 toys to families in need

The volunteer factor: In 2023-24, over 1,200 volunteers provided 35,500 volunteering hours to the service. The charity says many volunteers "have already stated that they will not continue if the library service is run by the county council."

For context: Suffolk Libraries has achieved numerous industry innovations, including:

  • First library service with a dedicated wellbeing team

  • One of the first to offer libraries as warm spaces during the cost-of-living crisis

  • First to loan eReader devices to customers

  • First to develop its own self-service technology, saving around £100,000

The bottom line: With growing opposition from local residents, MPs, backbench councillors and other key stakeholders, Suffolk Libraries is making a final appeal for the county council to "return to the negotiating table" before the cabinet makes its decision.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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