Latest at Leiston Library...

What’s on at Leiston Library…

First of all we have to thank people in Leiston and beyond for your fantastic support for Suffolk Libraries’ Day back in March. It’s an important annual fundraising and celebration event that supports all Suffolk Libraries, and at Leiston we raised over £250!!! As Suffolk Libraries is a charity, every penny makes a difference, so a huge thank you to everyone who contributed.

Now the better weather is upon us, we can start having summery thoughts!

We’re delighted that Stephen Massey will be returning this year with a series of Wildflower walks and talks – one each month from April to August. Meet at the library, walk up to and around St Margaret’s churchyard, and come back to the library to identify and discuss the wildflowers found, over a cuppa and a slice of cake! Each session is £5 and we’re taking bookings now. Dates below.

We’re also thinking about our Summer Reading Challenge. Each year we challenge children to read 6 library books over the summer holidays, and collect rewards and prizes along the way. We rely on our brilliant volunteers to make this happen, so if you’re interested in spending a couple of hours a week encouraging children with their reading over the summer, let us know. We can tell you more and explain how to join us as a Reading Challenge volunteer!

The cost of living continues to squeeze us all, so every month we have a drop-in session with the East Suffolk Financial Inclusion team. They are here to give advice and tips on how to save money, deal with debt, and access grants for all sorts of things – childcare costs, broadband, rent, pay as you go energy bills – just drop in. Their forthcoming sessions are (Tuesdays): 18th April and 16th May, 10-12. No appointment needed and they offer a brilliant service.

East Suffolk Council is here every Friday to help with any council enquiries too – 10-4, just call in.

We have some friendly groups meeting in the library, including our Art for Fun group for people interested in painting and drawing who don’t know where to start – or who want to have a go with a bit of support. We have a helpful and artistic volunteer who can give you ideas! Last Friday of the month, 10-12.

Details of other regular groups are below. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates and other news.

Thursday mornings are especially for little ones! We have two sessions for babies, under 5s and their grown ups. ‘Me Myself & Baby’ is a Stay and Play session for parents and babies. Drop in between 9.40 – 10.20 for this friendly group run by Suffolk Libraries in partnership with Suffolk Mind. It offers a chance to meet other parents, fun for little ones, plus signposting to support if it’s needed. It’s followed every Thursday 10.3011.00 by our baby and toddler songs and rhymetime session, ‘Wordplay’. Just drop in and enjoy – grandparents welcome too.

For children and families we have a colouring drop in on Saturdays, 1112, and a Lego drop in on Sundays 10.15-11.30.

Our familiar services are running as usual - our fantastic selection of books for adults and children, audio books, reservations from all around the county, PC use, printing, scanning and photocopying. We look forward to seeing you soon.