A brief history
Though in a central town position at 15 Tavern Street, the Ipswich Institute Reading Room & Library is definitely a hidden gem for anyone unaware of its existence. I joined when I first moved to Ipswich, but commuting to London precluded me from using it to best advantage.
I was therefore delighted to meet with Jo Rooks, General Manager, to find out more about the services it offers and its history in Ipswich.
I learned from Jo that the Institute is a charitable organisation with a board of trustees that was established 201 years ago as the Mechanics Institute. 'Mechanics' in this instance should be interpreted as 'people who worked with their hands' – the artisans and craftsmen who would not have received a formal education in Victorian times. These institutes would have offered adult learning with the focus on technical subjects to working men in Britain (and the colonies), often funded by local industrialists who would benefit from employees with enhanced skills, knowledge and expertise.
Libraries were often thought to have been incorporated into this practical learning environment, as a way to offer alternative venues for the adult working class, better by far than frequenting a pub or a gambling den, of course.
Many throughout the UK have survived, but have evolved into adult education facilities, theatres, cinemas, museums, community hubs or have been embedded as part of a university. Few are still referred to as mechanics' institutes, though Jo did know of one such in Nottingham.
On a personal note, I wondered if my grandfather had benefited from these excellent opportunities. He was a clever man who could turn his hand to anything artisanal, whose family hailed from Grundisburgh (Suffolk). I can remember, when I was around 10 years old, my mother pointing out the 'Jumbo' weather vane on the eponymous water tower in Colchester and telling me my grandpa had been responsible for applying the gold leaf to its metal surface. I was awestruck as I gazed up the 130-odd feet to the top and imagined him hanging on up there to carry out his work. Ah – the imagination and naivety of youth! Or as my mum put it – 'how daft can you get'.
But I digress.
The Institute Library today
When you enter through the stunning big blue door, it's straight through the glass doors, to the entrance lobby and into the library itself, with the reception desk on the left. The high-domed painted ceiling with windows flanking beneath for the length of the room makes it light and airy and a very attractive place in which to sit, read, browse or study. Or write. It carries that air of cosy studiousness, only to be found in beautiful old rooms lined with books, which can be so conducive to creativity.
Passing through into the café at the far end, I sat down with Jo, and she proceeded to bring the place to life for me.
When asked about her role as General Manager, she said:
"Every day is different. Responsibilities include the obvious overall management of daily staff, premises, events, scheduling, etc., as well as routine library-based tasks such as cataloguing, short-listing, ordering, subscribing, and weeding (books) through to unblocking an overflowing gutter."
She loves it and takes it all in her stride. As an ex-library manager and a lover of books, I understand the job satisfaction that is inherent in this career. Jo's background is in museums, which we agreed is another wonderful, but sadly, very poorly remunerated job!
The institute itself once boasted a mini museum which housed, among other random things, a dead cat and the skeleton of a whale, which fortunately no longer features. The cat had apparently not put in an appearance via a taxidermist – it was quite simply a mummified dead cat. Yuk – not sure that would appeal to everyone, but happily it's also no longer in residence.
Educationally, the Institute's main output is split into three full terms with different programmes – Autumn, Winter and Spring, much like any other teaching establishment, but of note, currently the Institute has introduced an 'August programme'.
Changes in usage
Jo thought that transport issues and parking had made an impact on evening schedules, as there have been cuts to public transport, especially evening buses to more rural areas around the town.
I won't deign to fruitlessly discuss parking issues here as they are an ongoing, widely known and ire-inducing problem in Ipswich. Until availability and pricing are radically overhauled, this will remain an ongoing sore subject.
We both agreed there is a perception by some that the town centre is not such a safe place to be, in the late evening, especially worrying for some of the older members, perhaps?
Jo went on to say they had noticed a pattern of habit change since the lockdown years—library users were not so likely to come out in the evening. Early evening classes (4.30–6pm) are being designed and offered now for that reason. In July, for example, they staged acoustic music in the library every Wednesday, which proved extremely popular.
New ideas and offerings have been quizzes, also very popular, and a fashion show involving local businesses and featuring volunteer models.
A pink window made an appearance for the 'Turn the Town Pink' fun run up to the Ed Sheeran homecoming concerts at Portman Road. (I can attest that the Sunday gig was fabulous.)
It's brilliant that the library is so willing to monitor, examine and embrace change.
To listen, understand and be responsive to users' wishes and needs is the secret of any successful service, and this one has undoubtedly recognised this vital fact, taken it on board and turned it into action.
I know that librarians are not always forthcoming when it comes to blowing their own trumpets, so I asked Jo about methods they used for service promotion (or that dreadful new concept known as 'reaching out').
She said, "With a small budget, self-promotion is accomplished through local channels – online newsfeeds and newspapers, flyers, bookmarks, etc. and a Facebook presence. We do try very hard to put ourselves on the map."
I feel I'd like to march down the main street with a sandwich board and a bell to show how impressed I am. There are so many reasons to recommend this organisation.
The August 2025 programme – summer sessions open to all
This year, across the month, as well as access to the library, there are numerous leisure learning courses, under a range of headings – languages, literature, and film; history and culture; art and creative writing; as well as fitness and wellbeing sessions; talks on philosophy and three mini-series on diverse topics.
There are also lectures and trips, and taster talks, as well as the usual café facilities on offer.
The autumn leisure learning term
This starts in late September with a full and varied programme across evening sessions and Saturday workshops as well as day classes. You can register now to learn how to play the guitar, speak Italian, practise yoga, take up life drawing and much more.
Improve Your Chess in October and November – anyone?
I'm considering registering for the Latin course, it is, after all, still at the root of so many words and languages – and I do love words. And random facts: the origin of my forename is Greek for 'foreign or strange' – I have many friends who will think of the latter as apt!
Site tour
Jo then kindly took the time to show me around the two historic buildings owned by the Institute—the impressive vaulted building I have already been admiring in Tavern Street that houses the library, together with the café where we had been sitting, and the elegant listed building known as The Admiral's House, close by in Tower Street. This was once occupied by Admiral Benjamin Page and visited by the Duke of Wellington. It now houses an art centre, study rooms, and a comfortable coffee lounge, The Chart Room.
A quantity of old framed pictures was found in this part of the building, and they have been hung to great effect in the available public rooms. It has been refurbished since I was last there, and the aesthetic improvement is commendable. A very attractive environment.
'The Rep' in Tower Street was also owned by the Institute but sold in the 1970s and is now a pub; it is closed at the moment. (Jo pictured in front of 'The Rep'.) It has a beautiful auditorium where 'penny readings' were a feature – another lovely nugget of information gleaned.
Huge thanks to Jo, whose infectious enthusiasm shone throughout our meeting and her obvious love for the Institute and her crucial role there made it such a welcoming place to visit.
A thoroughly enjoyable and edifying experience. Do pop your head in the library and see what's on offer for yourself and/or visit one of the excellent cafés.
The bottom line
Though the Institute is rightly proud of its long history, above all, it makes clear that the goal is to engender a sense of belonging. As a registered educational charity, it's open to all to join and to use. New members are assured of a warm welcome, and wherever possible, everything is done to cater for those who have special needs.
