York Explore Library and Archive

York Explore Library and Archive Flagship public library at the cultural heart of the city of York and home of the city archives.

The flagship public library for the city of York and home of the city archives. Designed by the York architect Walter Brierley in 1928, today York Explore is a welcoming and accessible place for people of all ages to enjoy. With a range of events and activities, and a delicious menu on offer in our Reading Cafe, there's more to York Explore than you might expect.

Reminder: York Explore closed this weekend (12-13 September)York Explore Library and Archive and York Explore Reading Ca...
07/09/2026

Reminder: York Explore closed this weekend (12-13 September)

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 the technology that supports our libraries and services. 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 at York Explore during the closure period.
• Reservation collection arrangements have been 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, although some services may be limited while the ICT upgrade takes place.

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

With one week to go you could be focused on little reader/s completing the summer reading challenge, so there may not be...
06/09/2026

With one week to go you could be focused on little reader/s completing the summer reading challenge, so there may not be any opportunity for you to get any time with a book, well...with your library details you can log into PressReader to grab some time with a magazine and/or newspaper.

With a whole host of publications, you are sure to find something on the theme.

ONE week left to complete the Summer Reading Challenge!Gosh what a summer we have had, like Harry Styles on tour we've b...
05/09/2026

ONE week left to complete the Summer Reading Challenge!

Gosh what a summer we have had, like Harry Styles on tour we've been having a blast!!

As we've marked Read and Relax's first anniversary this week; we had a look back at the books we have read as a collecti...
03/09/2026

As we've marked Read and Relax's first anniversary this week; we had a look back at the books we have read as a collective (which is roughly 130 books!!), here is a snap shot of our year of Reading and Relaxing.

Join us every first Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm in the cafe at York Explore, there is no booking required, it is a drop in session, EVERYONE is welcome.

A big shout out and thank you to all our lovely members, we appreciate you and the great bookish chats we have had over the past year. 😍📚 You are all amazing!!

We're excited for these Arts Council England funded events to start this October! Follow the links in the comments below...
01/09/2026

We're excited for these Arts Council England funded events to start this October! Follow the links in the comments below to book a free place 🫶

Looking for something new to try this autumn?Creative Café, History Misbehaves and Digital Making Youth Club are all bac...
01/09/2026

Looking for something new to try this autumn?

Creative Café, History Misbehaves and Digital Making Youth Club are all back, this year at York Explore, starting in October!

From local history and digital making to creative activities and meeting new people, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Supported by Arts Council Englandthrough our National Portfolio Organisation programme.

Take a look below and see the links in the comments to find out more 🍂

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.

With 2 weeks left of the Summer Reading Challenge, here is a stack of board books that might just be the ticket to get y...
29/08/2026

With 2 weeks left of the Summer Reading Challenge, here is a stack of board books that might just be the ticket to get your tiny reader/s dancing to the beat of a finished challenge!

Join us at York Explore for an afternoon with author and former journalist John Wheatcroft as he discusses his latest bo...
27/08/2026

Join us at York Explore for an afternoon with author and former journalist John Wheatcroft as he discusses his latest book, The Strange Death of Football.

Through 11 interconnected short stories, Wheatcroft explores love, friendship, family and life's challenges, with football running through each tale.

"A beautiful album of short stories that performs the rare feat of using football as a stage, a structuring device and a metaphor. Wise and moving." Jonathan Wilson, award-winning football writer for The Guardian and founder/editor of The Blizzard

Following the talk, there will be an opportunity to ask John your questions in a Q&A session.

📅 Monday 21 September
⏰ 3pm to 4.15pm
📍 York Explore Library and Archive, Library Square, York, YO1 7DS

Copies of The Strange Death of Football will be available to purchase on the day, with your ticket price deducted from the cost of the book.

Follow the link in the comments below to book your ticket 🎫 ⚽

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.

Address

York Central Library, Library Square
York
YO17DS

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+441904552828

Website

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