Launch Of Suffolk Libraries Day 2021 – Help Us Make A Difference!

Suffolk Libraries Day, Suffolk Libraries’ annual fundraising event will take place next month on Saturday 20 March.

The event will celebrate the many ways Suffolk Libraries makes an impact on people’s lives across the county and help to raise vital funds to support the library service.

This year there are three big events designed to build on the growing demand for online content created by these challenging times. They continue Suffolk Libraries ambitious programme of activities designed to inspire, engage and entertain wherever you happen to be.

The first is an online book festival between Monday 15 and Sunday 21 March which has been kindly sponsored by MHA Larking Gowen. It’ll feature some world-renowned international authors including Bernard Cornwell, Anthony Horowitz, Kathy Reichs and Elly Griffiths. Nine authors have been lined up for online discussions and to answer your questions. People can book for free but Suffolk Libraries would appreciate a donation when you sign up. You can see the full programme and book your ticket via www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/whats-on/festival/sld.

There will also be a new scarecrow trail activity designed to inspire people to create their own scarecrow based on a character from a book, film, TV or the theatre. The scarecrows can then be placed in people’s gardens or windows and logged on an online map so people can have fun discovering them whilst out for their daily exercise. You can join in by making a donation. The trail is designed to engage youngsters and their parents and show how creative communities across Suffolk can be. For more information visit www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/scarecrows.

Suffolk Libraries will also be holding its first ever online quiz on Saturday 20 March at 7.30pm, sponsored by Pretty’s Solicitors. Tickets cost only £3 per person and there are some great prizes for the top three scores. It’ll be hosted via Zoom by Suffolk Libraries’ resident quizmaster and manager of Southwold Library Charlotte Clark, assisted by her dog!  You can sign up via the Suffolk Libraries website.

There’s a serious message behind Suffolk Libraries Day too. Suffolk Libraries has continued to make an impact during COVID-19 but has missed out on income through normal fundraising and income-generating activities.

Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries said:

“Our second Suffolk Libraries Day will be very different to the first, but we’ve adapted our plans to be able to provide activities which people across the Suffolk can enjoy and take part in. We have reached out to people throughout the pandemic doing everything we can to support them during these difficult times. Whether through our website, a physical book, phone call or act of kindness we have continued to make a difference to people’s lives. We’re asking people to show their support for what we do by taking part, having fun and helping us to raise vital funds to do even more for the people of Suffolk in the future.”

Giles Kerkham, Director of Not for Profit and Education at MHA Larking Gowen, said:

“Providing support to our local communities is a key part of our ethos as a business which is why the Not for Profit team at MHA Larking Gowen are proud to support Suffolk Libraries Day. We love the work Suffolk Libraries do across the county, making reading accessible to everyone, and how they continually find new ways to make stories and lifelong learning fun. Literature may not historically have loved accountants but who knows, maybe they can find a fun accountancy portrayal for us. We hope the audience enjoy this year’s festival, which includes such a fantastic line up of guests!”

Prettys Solicitors are also supporting Suffolk Libraries Day by sponsoring the online quiz. Their Chief Executive Ian Carr, said:

“We are delighted to be supporting the online quiz for Suffolk Libraries. During these challenging times it shows great initiative to be able to think of new and safe ways to continue fundraising. I’m hoping to be selected as part of a Prettys quiz team to enter the event myself.”

Full information can be found online at suffolklibraries.co.uk/suffolk-libraries-day.