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Libraries

Gainsborough Community Library

Monday to Friday 9 - 9.30AM is self-service only.

Opening times

Monday 0900 - 1800
Tuesday 0900 - 1700
Wednesday 0900 - 1700
Thursday 0900 - 1700
Friday 0900 - 1800
Saturday 0900 - 1700
Sunday 1100 - 1600

Out-of-hours book return available

Contact

Manager: Mandy Grimwood

Clapgate Lane, Ipswich
IP3 0RL

Find us on Google Maps

01473 927270

help@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Connect with Gainsborough Community Library

Branch facilities

  • Customer toilet
  • Refreshments: available in our Voices café; open 10am to 4pm Mon-Tues and 10am to 2pm on Weds-Fri.
  • Payments: cash, cheques and cards accepted
  • Accessibility information on accessable.co.uk
  • Parking: small car park available at rear of library
  • Display space: two cork boards in cafe area for A3, A4 or A5 posters
  • Which? Available online and in print
  • Free menstrual products available

Room and venue hire

Community room

Max 50 people
  • Capacity: 30 people for meetings, 50 people in rows
  • Refreshments available from Voices Cafe (when open)
  • Limited onsite parking - free roadside parking near library
  • Projector and screen available
  • Flipchart available on request
  • Availability: All day subject to other bookings. Bookings outside library opening hours may attract an additional charge to cover staffing cost.

Cost: £14 per hour for community/charity/private bookings, £21 per hour for commercial/statutory bookings

Meeting room

Max 15 people
  • Capacity: 10 people for meetings, 15 people in rows
  • Refreshments available from Voices Cafe (when open)
  • Limited onsite parking - free roadside parking near library
  • Flipchart available on request
  • Availability: All day subject to other bookings. Bookings outside library opening hours may attract an additional charge to cover staffing cost.

Cost: £9 per hour for community/charity/private bookings, £13.50 per hour for commercial/statutory bookings

Sound studio

Max 5 people
  • Capacity: 5 people
  • Refreshments available from Voices Cafe (when open)
  • Limited onsite parking - free roadside parking near library
  • Availability: Outside library opening hours only, subject to other bookings.

Cost: £8 per hour for community/charity/private bookings, £12 per hour for commercial/statutory bookings

Café area / space within library

Max 30 people
  • Capacity: Various (depending on part of library and format) but potentially up to 30 people in rows
  • Refreshments available from Voices Cafe (when open)
  • Limited onsite parking - free roadside parking near library
  • Flipchart available on request
  • Availability: Outside library opening hours only, subject to other bookings.

Cost: To be negotiated with library manager

Other information

  • Bookings are for a minimum of 2 hours
  • 12.5% discount for bookings of 8 sessions or more - upfront payment applies
  • Bookings outside of library opening hours may attract an additional charge to cover staff costs

Events and activities at Gainsborough Community Library

Upcoming special events

All special events

Spring Table Sale

Sat 23 Mar 2024 , 10:00 – 14:00 Gainsborough Community Library £5.00 per table

Book a table to help with your spring clear out, or come along to see what treasure you can find.

Find out more

Fundraising Car Wash

Sun 24 Mar 2024 , 11:00 – 16:00 Gainsborough Community Library £5.00 per car

Come along to Gainsborough Library and get your car washed to help raise funds for Suffolk Libraries Day.

Find out more

Fundraising Quiz Night

Tue 26 Mar 2024 , 19:00 Gainsborough Community Library £2.00

Get together in teams and test your general knowledge at our quiz night to fundraise for Suffolk Libraries Day.

Find out more

Block print and stamp workshop

Pattern and Print: block print and stamp art workshop with Lily Hammond

Wed 3 Apr 2024 , 09:30 – 15:30 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Learn how to use colourful pattern and print art to create your own unique designs at this free workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Community Library.

Find out more

Filmmaking workshop

Discover Your Inner Star: filmmaking workshop with Evie Capon

Thu 4 Apr 2024 , 09:30 – 15:30 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Learn the planning, scriptwriting, filming and editing process to create your own short film at this free workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Community Library.

Find out more

Special effects make-up workshop

Gorey Stories: special effects workshop with Lorna-Jane Garside

Fri 5 Apr 2024 , 09:30 – 15:30 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Learn how to create your own cuts, bruises and gorey special effects makeup looks at this free workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Community Library.

Find out more

Board game creation workshop

Unique Board Games: illustration and character creation workshop with Joel Millerchip

Wed 10 Apr 2024 , 09:30 – 15:30 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Learn how to create a character-driven illustrated board game for you and your family to play this free workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Community Library.

Find out more

Photography workshop

A Secret Space: photography and image transfer workshop with Gillian Allard

Thu 11 Apr 2024 , 09:30 – 15:30 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Learn how to use photography and image transfer to personalise your own wooden keepsake box at this free workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Community Library.

Find out more

Podcast and voiceover workshop

Find Your Voice: podcast and voiceover workshop with Evie Capon

Fri 12 Apr 2024 , 09:30 – 15:30 Gainsborough Community Library Free entry Booking required

Learn how to create adverts and podcasts, and how to use voice overs and jingles to bring your brand to life at this free workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Community Library.

Find out more

Regular events and activities

All events

Adult Craft Cafe

Come along to our friendly crafting social for adults.

Tue 19 Mar 2024 , 10:00 – 12:00 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Little Storymakers - story & crafts

Join us for a story and craft session for young children.

Tue 19 Mar 2024 , 10:30 – 11:30 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library

Singing Group

Get involved with a friendly singing session with local musician Carl.

Tue 19 Mar 2024 , 13:30 – 15:00 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library Donations welcome

Home Education Group

Join other home educator families for a fun afternoon session of stories, crafts, Lego and board games.

Tue 19 Mar 2024 , 14:00 – 15:00 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Girls Group for 11-16 year olds

Learn new skills and make new friends at our weekly Girls Group for 11-16 year olds.

Tue 19 Mar 2024 , 15:45 – 17:15 ( Every Tuesday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Men Can Talk - social group for men

Make new friends and share experiences at this friendly social group for men.

Tue 19 Mar 2024 , 19:00 – 21:00 ( First Tuesday of the month, Third Tuesday of the month) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Men's Group

Join in with this monthly social group for men 18+. Make new friends and engage in activities in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

Tue 19 Mar 2024 , 19:00 – 21:00 ( Third Tuesday of the month) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Sharing Stories - social group for adults with additional needs

Join us for our weekly social event for adults with additional needs.

Wed 20 Mar 2024 , 11:00 – 12:15 ( Every Wednesday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Boccia and Kurling

Join us for a fun morning of Boccia and Indoor Kurling.

Thu 21 Mar 2024 , 10:30 – 12:00 ( Every Thursday) Gainsborough Community Library Free entry

Fruit & Veg Pop-up Shop

Come along to the library and grab a bag of fresh fruit and veg.

Thu 21 Mar 2024 , 10:30 ( Every Thursday) Gainsborough Community Library £2