Explore York Libraries and Archives

01/06/2026

Volunteers' Week is here! Last year Explore’s 650 volunteers donated 23,000 hours of their time and we are full of gratitude for this gift of time and talent.

To celebrate the 42nd year of Volunteers' Week, we want to take a moment to recognise the diversity of our volunteers and celebrate the difference they make, and to acknowledge that without our volunteers Explore simply would not be able to function.

Swipe along to read some of the reasons our volunteers Heather, John and GT give their time and talents to help make Explore such a welcoming and friendly place 💛

We'll be posting more volunteer stories and videos throughout the week - watch this space!

27/05/2026

Could you be a Director on our Board?

We are seeking a Volunteer Director with experience in finance, commercial growth and cost management, who can help strengthen Explore’s financial resilience and chair our Finance subcommittee. You do not need to be a qualified accountant (though it may be helpful), but you will to be confident about financial strategy and organisational economics.

There's more detail in the recruitment pack - link below 👇

26/05/2026

It's Half Term! If you're staying in why not take some time to our amazing city and save money by having your at the ready!
You'll get 10% off drinks in cafes and a host of all year round too.
PLUS - our *NEW* discount partner Witches & History Walking Tour is offering 15% off with a
£6 for adults and FREE for kids and those on qualifying benefits. Buy or renew yours online or pop into any library if you prefer to do it in person.
Visit York
Link in the comments below ⬇

25/05/2026

Opening hours today - bank holiday Monday 25 May

☕Rowntree Park cafe open as normal.
📚Libraries, archives and other cafes closed.
⚽Community Stadium library open for self-service borrow and return.
Tuesday 26 May: All sites open as normal.

24/05/2026

Opening hours for tomorrow's Bank Holiday Monday 25 May

☕Rowntree Park cafe open as normal.
📚Libraries, archives and other cafes closed.
⚽Community Stadium library open for self-service borrow and return.
Tuesday 26 May: All sites open as normal.

22/05/2026

Who's excited for the Family Fun Day at Rowntree Park Reading Café tomorrow?

We are! Make sure you swing by the Reading Café to join in the fun 🌞

Explore the park and café on the Explore trail, plant your own sunflowers, and enjoy tasty café refreshments. Follow the clues, complete the trail, and win a prize 🥇

📅 Saturday 23rd May 2026
⏰ 10am–2pm
🎟️ £3 per family for the Explore Trail – booking link in the comments. Limited tickets are available on the day too.

Friends of Rowntree Park

21/05/2026

🎟️ Last chance!

Join us this Saturday for Ada and the Code Crusaders - The English Touring Opera 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM.
Mathematical superhero troupe, the Code Crusaders, are in desperate need of a new member. They travel through space and time and land in Victorian England and arrive at twelve year old Ada Lovelace’s house. But this can’t be right - Ada is just a little girl. Can this child really be a revolutionary mathematician?

Exploring the life, work and legacy of the world’s first computer programmer Ada Lovelace,

We are delighted to welcome back The English Touring Opera to Acomb Explore with this opera written especially for children. Ada and the Code Crusaders is a fun-filled, adventure-fuelled, participatory opera that brings out the scientist in us all.

Ada and the Code Crusaders is written and composed by Anna Pool, directed by Nel Crouch and designed by Ella Barraclough.

Recommended for ages 7 -11 years old, but suitable for the whole family.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/exploreyorklibrariesandarchives/2103950

We would like to thank Westfield Ward, Acomb Ward and Holgate Ward for their generous support in helping us to run this event.

20/05/2026

Join us tomorrow for , our relaxed and welcoming online poetry evening. This month we are welcoming three fantastic poets, Laura McCormick Kilbride, Kate Noakes, and Jonathan Sellars to read for us ✨

There's still time to book your free ticket. Just follow the link in the comments below 🎫

📆 Thursday 21st May
⏰ 7.00pm - 8.00pm

17/05/2026

The next bank holiday is just a week away!

Opening hours for Bank Holiday Monday 25 May

☕Rowntree Park cafe open as normal.
📚Libraries, archives and other cafes closed.
⚽Community Stadium library open for self-service borrow and return.
Tuesday 26 May: All sites open as normal.