From giant chess and science laboratories to zumba, drumming and belly-dancing, libraries across Suffolk will be full of lively fun this weekend as they are transformed into Fun Palaces.
More than 300 Fun Palaces are set across the country this weekend, which aim to lay on free activities celebrating culture and groups in the community.
The weekend marks the start of National Libraries Week which celebrates the importance of libraries in the community.
Alison Wheeler, chief executive of Suffolk Libraries, said: “We’re really excited to be transforming our libraries into Fun Palaces which is a perfect way to kick off National Libraries Week and show the diverse range of activities and experiences which libraries can offer.
“We’re also particularly grateful to Ipswich Borough Council for their funding for the Ipswich Library events which will also allow us to provide more activities in the future.”
The Fun Palace project is the brainchild of author Stella Duffy as a means of letting people explore their creative side.
Ipswich County Library will be buzzing with activity between 10am and 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday, with zumba, science workshops, drumming, coding, sewing, paper crafts, kurling, Spanish and children’s radio among the workshops on offer.
At Chantry Library, Saturday’s event features hoverboarding, martial arts, musical instruments, rug making and stone painting.
Gainsborough Community Library in Ipswich will have Fun Palaces both days, where table tennis, giant Jenga, board games, karate, Lego, Minecraft and cake decorating will keep people entertained.
At Saxmundham Library both days will be busy with origami, shaker-making, afternoon tea, colouring and brass instrument playing, while Lowestoft’s Sunday-only Fun Palace features pirate-themed crafts, sign language, signing choir and knot-work.
Elmswell Library will have a Fun Palace on both days between 10.30am and 12.30pm where golf, knitting, music and dance will be in full flow throughout the mornings.
The events are free and open to anyone, with full details of what’s on at each library and times of events available online at the Suffolk Libraries website.
Visit the website here for details.
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