Ipswich Institute Reading Room and Library

The doorway of the Institute

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Ipswich Institute: Reading Room, Library, and so much more ...

Welcome to the Association of Independent Libraries page for the Ipswich Institute Reading Room and Library.

Ipswich Institute members enjoy:

• A large comfortable reading room with selection of daily newspapers and current magazines
• Library with over 9000 books, CDs and talking tapes
• Educational and cultural visits
• Leisure interest groups and courses on a wide variety of subjects including art and languages, local and social history
• Quarterly Newsletter
• Members' Pages Café and Chapters Restaurant
• Members' theme evenings
• Internet terminals

Normal Opening Times

Monday - Friday
9.00am - 5.00pm

Saturday
9.00am - 4.00pm

The premises are also available in the evenings by prior arrangement.

The decorated roof of the Institute

History and purpose

The Ipswich Institute was established in 1824 as a 'Mechanics' Institute'. Approximately 2,500 adult members now enjoy the benefit of this wonderful charity originally set up for the education of the inhabitants of Ipswich and its surrounding areas. The Institute has moved with the times and offers a wide range of facilities both to its members, and to other organisations.

The desk and interior of the Institute

We offer:

The Institute's two quite distinctive and spacious buildings offer sufficient scope for use by its membership and also for outside individuals and organisations. Private companies increasingly recognise the value of the Institute's flexibility and members often take advantage of our unique premises for private dinner parties and larger events.

In the Library Building, Tavern Street:

THE BIRKBECK ROOM - on the first floor, this room can accommodate up to 60 people seated.
Dimensions: 6.3 metres x 10.5 metres
THE GIPPESWYK ROOM - is available for smaller groups of up to 16 people.
Dimensions: 4.5 metres x 5.5 metres
THE LIBRARY AND READING ROOM - This large and beautiful room is only available out of normal Institute opening times.
PAGES CAFÉ - another attractive room leading from the Library and also only available out of normal Institute hours.

In the Admiral's House, Tower Street:

THE FITZGERALD ROOM - A lovely coffee lounge with casual seating is available on the ground floor.
THE ORWELL ROOM - on the first floor, this meeting room can seat 20 people.
Dimensions: 5.3 metres x 6 metres
CHAPTERS RESTAURANT - Light and modern 40 seater restaurant on ground floor, which can be used for meetings or lectures. Dimensions 7 x 9 metres

The Admiral's House

Location

The Ipswich Institute is situated in two buildings of great architectural interest in the centre of Ipswich. The reading room & library and the main administrative office are located in Tavern Street. The Admiral's House, with the art centre, coffee lounge and members' restaurant are just around the corner in Tower Street.

The nearest car parks are in Crown Street and William Street, approximately 5 minutes walk from the Institute. There is some disabled parking in Tower Street.

Back to the Ipswich Institute's Directory Page.