By Ella Henke | July 24, 2025
We’re super excited to see our all-new colourful library cards rolling out in libraries. So excited in fact that we’re breaking down five things you can do with your new library card. Spoiler alert: it’s all the same activities and services you could always access with a library card, but just in case you need one, here’s a refresher.
If you already have a library card with us, you don’t need to swap it out for a new one. Our old trusty green and purple cards work all the same. Only if you’re joining the library now will you get a new look library card.
1. Books, books, books
We had to put borrowing books in at number one. Can you blame us? It’s kind of our thing. Our collection includes over a million books, in libraries and online, from self-help to sci-fi. There’s a book for everyone in our libraries.
In a reading rut? You can check out our monthly list of book recommendations curated by our stock team librarians.
2. Listen to free audiobooks on BorrowBox
Audiobooks more your thing? With your library card you can get free access to the BorrowBox app which allows you to download free audiobooks. Did we mention it was free?
All you need to do is download the app (there’s also a browser version for desktop users) and insert your library card number and pin and you’re in! Our digital catalogue includes all the usual chart-toppers like Richard Osman and Marian Keyes, classics from Orwell to Austen, the latest celebrity memoirs and much, much more. All for a *fraction of the price of a certain audiobook service that rhymes with baudible.
*By a fraction we mean, it’s totally, completely free.
3. Watch indie films, documentaries and courses on Kanopy
With the rise of streaming, it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with the endless number of streamers and subscriptions. That’s why we love Kanopy!
With your library card, you can unlock a whole catalogue of films there entirely for free. All you need to do is head over to Kanopy and register with your library card number and pin. You can stream from a smart TV, phone, tablet, or browser.
Kanopy’s catalogue has an impressive selection of indie films and world cinema that can sometimes be tricky to find on other streamers, or come with a hefty price tag, so if you’re a film buff on a budget, this one’s for you!
Plus, for any little film lovers you may have in your life, you can switch over to Kanopy Kids and let them explore unlimited age-appropriate films, cartoons and educational videos (again, all for free).
4. Uncover your ancestry with our free research tools
Itching to find out more about your family history? Our library cards allow you to access a bunch of free research tools like Ancestry (Library Edition), Find My Past, BFI Replay and British Newspaper Archive.
Whether you’re looking to dive deep into archival news footage or start piecing together your family tree, we’ve got you covered. You can find out more about these tools and how they work on our website.
Disclaimer: These services are only accessible via a library PC.
5. Everything you always did with your library card!
Though we may have had a little makeover, much like a good book, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. And inside all of our libraries across Suffolk, it’s business as usual.
Whether you’re just signing up, or a long-time library-goer, our library cards unlock the same great services as always.
Have you got one of our new library cards recently? We’d love to see! You can take a picture and tag us at @suffolk_communtiy_libraries.
Yet to get a library card? It’s free and super easy to sign up! Visit any library in Suffolk to get started. Find out more about joining the library now.
Polish 
English 
Lithuanian 
Romanian 
Portuguese 
Bengali