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Two new libraries planned for York thanks to £7.7 million investment

At the site of the new Clifton Library on Rawcliffe Drive are, L-R: Explore Learning chief operating officer Sarah Garbacz, Hope Sentamu Learning Trust chief executive officer Helen Winn, York council leader Cllr Keith Aspden, Vale of York Academy principal Toby Eastaugh, Cllr Darryl Smalley, Snappy Trust chief executive Officer Anne Stamp, Snappy Trust trustee Tom Stoneham. Photograph: City of York Council
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Two brand new libraries and a major overhaul of another are planned in York as part of a £7.7 million investment.

In partnership with Explore York Libraries and Archives, City of York Council is set to spend the money on:

  • a new £5m library learning centre for Clifton
  • a new permanent library for Haxby and Wigginton.
  • capital investment in the Acomb Library learning centre.

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The new Clifton library will be built on the former Clifton Without Junior School site on Rawcliffe Drive.

This Library Learning Centre will hold 15,000 books, host evening events, a Reading Cafe, a Children’s Library, and a community partner area.

Charity partners in the project include The Snappy Trust, dedicated to the personal development of children and young people with wide-ranging disabilities; and Accessible Arts and Media, which runs arts and creative media learning projects.

Development of the site will include a new school access to Vale of York Academy.

As the library does not require the whole site, there is a proposal to make 2,500 square metres of the site available for low carbon, 100% affordable homes with a further consultation on those proposals set to take place soon.

Haxby and Acomb proposals

Plans for Haxby library are celebrated by, L-R: York council Leader Keith Aspden, Haxby & Wigginton Youth & Community Association trustees Jim Harrison and Pat Wilford, Explore Learning chief operating officer Sarah Garbacz, Cllr Darryl Smalley. Photograph: City of York Council

Also part of the plans is a new modern library, co-located with Haxby and Wigginton Oaken Grove Community Centre.

And money will be invested in the existing Library Learning Centre in Acomb, to include:

  • renewal of the ground floor entrance and café
  • an additional community garden
  • an extended and improved library area
  • and delivery of a full programme of events and activities.
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Darryl Smalley, York Explore manager Fiona Reilly, and Keith Aspden at Acomb Explore. Photograph: City of York Council

Councillor Darryl Smalley, executive member for culture, leisure and communities, said: “Our library vision consultation identified residents’ key aspirations, ambitions and principles.

“They want Community Hubs, with partners present that link to community needs; they want to be able to access services on their doorstep, and they support a move away from standalone buildings to thriving, lively spaces with multiple activities and events and café facilities wherever possible.”

Explore York’s deputy chief executive, Sarah Garbacz said: “This huge investment not only meets the needs of our current customers, but also enables us to deliver more and better, so we also attract new audiences.

“Our conversations with residents throughout the consultations have shown a desire to use our spaces to take part in creative activity, to meet new friends, to use free Wi-Fi and PCs and to access information and advice.”