Stoke Community Library, inside Stoke High School in Ipswich, gears up for short-distance move

A library in Ipswich is preparing to move a short distance as the area it occupies undergoes development.

Stoke Community Library, inside Stoke High School in Maidenhall Approach, will shift from one side of its current building to the other on January 31.

This will see it take up a slightly larger space – not too far away from where it now sits.

Mark Girling, the manager for Stoke Library, said this will not only afford it more room, but allow for more flexibility with wheeled shelving, which could enable the team to host more events and activities.

As it is only moving a short distance, the aim is to keep the library open during the transition, he said.

However, users can expected disruption between January 30 and February 2.

Facilities and opening hours will remain the same after the move.

Mr Girling added: “We’re grateful to the school for supporting the move with the minimum of disruption to our customers and we hope the new space will be an improvement as it’ll provide a bigger and improved space for the local community.

“Anyone living in the Stoke area of Ipswich would be very welcome to come along after the move to check out the new library.

“Many people don’t realise the library is a public library as it’s based within the school but it’s open to anyone who wants to come along and take part in activities, borrow books or use our facilities.”

Stoke Library’s opening times are:

► Tuesday – 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm

► Wednesday and Thursday – 2pm to 5pm

► Friday and Saturday – 9.30am to 12.30pm

►Sunday – 10am to 1pm.