Explore York Libraries and Archives

Explore York Libraries and Archives Explore provides Public Libraries and Archives for the City of York. We have 15 Libraries across York, plus a Mobile Library serving the places in between.

We run 15 libraries including York Explore – our flagship library and home of the City Archive – 6 Reading Cafes, a mobile library, and a home library service. We also have an e-library, where you can download audiobooks and ebooks for free. Our venues are welcoming and vibrant spaces, and you'll find them in every community across the city of York. Drop in and you will find exhibitions, cultural events, free activities for children and much more. Explore is here for you.

Come say hello next time you're in the area 👋
01/09/2026

Come say hello next time you're in the area 👋

Have a look what's on this Autumn at York Explore Library and Archive 🍂
01/09/2026

Have a look what's on this Autumn at York Explore Library and Archive 🍂

This October, we're excited to welcome back Creative Café, History Misbehaves and Digital Making Youth Club as we begin ...
01/09/2026

This October, we're excited to welcome back Creative Café, History Misbehaves and Digital Making Youth Club as we begin Year 4 of our NPO programme at York Explore Library and Archive, funded by Arts Council England.

These free projects bring people together to learn, create, share ideas and discover new skills. We'd love you to join us!

Take a look at what's coming up below, and follow the links in the comments for more information 👇

31/08/2026

Read and listen together this autumn 🎧🍂

During September and October, we're inviting library members to discover Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy on BorrowBox.

We've secured 500 eAudiobook copies, so you can start listening straight away with no waiting list. Why not enjoy the book alongside your reading group, friends or family and share your thoughts as the story unfolds?

A family living on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A storm gathering force. This atmospheric thriller combines suspense, mystery and emotional depth in a story that will stay with you long after the final chapter.

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2026, Wild Dark Shore was also an instant New York Times bestseller, a Reese's Book Club pick and a Time Must-Read Book.

📚 Available on BorrowBox from 31 August to 29 October. Simply download the app and sign in with your library card to start listening.

Opening hours today - bank holiday Monday 31 August☕Rowntree Park Café open as normal.📚Libraries, archives and other caf...
31/08/2026

Opening hours today - bank holiday Monday 31 August

☕Rowntree Park Café open as normal.
📚Libraries, archives and other cafes closed.
⚽Community Stadium library open for self-service borrow and return.

Tuesday 1 September: All sites open as normal.

29/08/2026

Last week we we're lucky enough to have the amazing Pilot Theatre at our Explore centres, delivering beatboxing workshops for kids as part of the 🎤

Take a look at what happened at the Tang Hall session, what fun!

We're looking forward to this author event at York Explore Library and Archive this September. tickets are only £2.50! ⚽...
27/08/2026

We're looking forward to this author event at York Explore Library and Archive this September. tickets are only £2.50! ⚽️

Book yours today - ticket link in the comments of the post.

York Explore Library and Archive and York Explore Reading Café will be closed on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 Sep...
27/08/2026

York Explore Library and Archive and York Explore Reading Café will be closed on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September while we carry out essential ICT upgrade work.

These improvements are part of a major project to modernise our systems and will help us provide an even more reliable service in the future. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience while this work takes place.

Summer Reading Challenge participants: if you're taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge through York Explore, please complete the challenge and collect any rewards by Friday 11 September, as the library will be closed over the final weekend of the challenge.

Returning books or collecting reservations?
• No library items will be due back during the closure period.
• Reservation collection dates will be adjusted to account for the closure.

Only York Explore Library and Archive will be affected by this closure. We anticipate that all other Explore libraries will remain open during their normal opening hours and will let you know as soon as possible if there are any further closures.

We look forward to welcoming you back when York Explore reopens on Monday 14 September.

There is still time to complete the 📚Pop to your local library to tell us about the books you’ve read and collect your...
26/08/2026

There is still time to complete the 📚
Pop to your local library to tell us about the books you’ve read and collect your rewards!

Address

Library Square, Museum Street
York
YO17DS

Telephone

01904 552828

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