1 August 2024 marks 12 years since Suffolk Libraries was launched as an independent charity.
Since then it has successfully run and developed a library service that is widely seen as one of the most impactful and innovative library services in the UK.
All libraries continue to evolve a diverse, community-focused offer with one new library branch opening in Moreton Hall in 2022. There are now 45 branches, 4 weekly pop-up libraries and three mobile libraries. Suffolk Libraries also runs 13 prison libraries – including those in Suffolk several in other counties. It is the only library service in the country with an established community mental health and wellbeing service – running drop-in sessions, a menopause support service and projects to help people with physical fitness, alcohol awareness and dementia.
The organisation has led several ground-breaking independent research projects showing the true value and impact of the library service and how it tackles social isolation and improves people’s wellbeing.
Over 201k people enjoyed events and activities at libraries in Suffolk in 2023/24 and Suffolk Libraries’ recent customer survey revealed that 97% of people rated its events and activities as excellent (62%) or good (35%).
Of 1,400 people who responded to the survey, 97% said libraries were extremely important or important to them and their families and 70% said they felt their wellbeing had been supported or improved by attending library activities.
When asked how helpful and knowledgeable library staff were, over 98% of people said they were excellent (80.75%) or good (17.66%).
Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries, said:
“I’m immensely proud of what our charity has achieved in the past twelve years. Despite the many challenges we’ve faced in this time, the reputation of our library service and wonderful colleagues has never been higher. The wider impact of what we do and our vital role in nurturing literacy, tackling isolation and improving wellbeing is directly felt by tens of thousands of people across the county.”
Last year independent research by the Audience Agency gave Suffolk Libraries a Net Promoter Score of 86. (Net Promoter Scores are a way of measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction. Experts say a score above 0 is good, above 20 is favourable, above 50 is excellent and above 80 is world class).
Nearly 6,000 people also responded to a Suffolk County Council consultation earlier this year with 93% saying they were very satisfied (61.1%) or satisfied (31.9%) with the current library service.
