• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Radio
  • Vouchers
  • WIN
  • More
    • Tickets
    • Lifestyle
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact

Every York library – and the archives – will stay open for the next 15 years under £32m deal

Mon 18 Feb

The archives reading room at York Explore. Photograph: York Explore Libraries and Archives

Mon 18 Feb 2019  @ 8:05pm
YorkMix
Education, News, Politics

All York’s 14 libraries – and its world-renowned archives – are guaranteed to stay open for at least 15 years.

City of York Council have awarded a new contract to Explore Libraries and Archives Mutual Limited to deliver the city’s libraries and archives services until 2034, it was announced today (18 February).

The mutual company, which has revolutionised the way the libraries are run since taking over from the council, won the deal in a straight fight with another bidder.

The council’s Executive has already agreed to provide an additional £300,000 to support the new £32 million library services contract.

Fiona Williams, chief executive of Explore Libraries and Archives Mutual, said she was thrilled by the decision, adding: ” We have such exciting plans for the future.”

Exciting plans

Culture lead on the council Nigel Ayre said the decision “demonstrates our commitment to the city’s libraries” when other authorities are cutting back.

Key proposals for the future service include:

  • York Explore Library to continue as the flagship service centre, including the archives and local history centre
  • Explore Gateways offered at a variety of venues, preferably with a cafe, run alongside other community activities
  • Virtual libraries providing a 24/7 online service, involving ebooks and emagazines
  • Providing reading cafes, encouraging the joy of reading especially for those who may feel uncomfortable in a more traditional library.

Fiona Williams said: “We have such exciting plans for the future, including more public engagement with the archives, encouraging everyone to enjoy reading, setting up an archive images library online and delivering more cultural and creative events in our libraries.

“Our aim is to reach everyone and we will be working very hard to ensure that everyone in York benefits from what we do. We thank the council for giving us this amazing opportunity.”

Executive Member for education Cllr Keith Myers said: “It’s immensely exciting and we’re looking forward to working with the Explore team to ensure that York’s library and archive service remains at the heart of the city’s cultural offer.”

Related YorkMix stories
  • Council ‘could buy the Post Office for community use’
  • More than £300K for car parks and 63 new signs – York’s £1.7m spending plans
  • From the council leader’s loo to hidden underground passageways – 36 amazing pix of York Guildhall


Trending »


Primary Sidebar

Footer

Contact us

General
01904 375 029

Studio/competitions
01904 375 030

Email YorkMix »

5-6 King's Court
Shambles
York  YO1 7LD

Listen to us

You can listen to YorkMix Radio using your DAB+ radio, Alexa or Google smart speaker, or online using the links below.

Click here to listen to YorkMix Radio »

Download the app from Google Play store
Download the app from Apple App store
About us

YorkMix is a trading name of
York Sound Ltd

Registered in England
Company no: 12831940
VAT no: GB289462452

YorkMix Radio public file

  • About
  • Public file
  • Privacy policy
  • Corrections & complaints
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 YorkMix