News Beat
‘The library is as important as the doctors and pharmacy’
AS this is my final column of 2025 for readers of The Press, it seems a good moment to take stock of a busy and productive year for Explore York Libraries and Archives.
From new ways for people to get involved, to cultural projects, new health initiatives and major fundraising efforts, 2025 has underlined just how central Explore remains to everyday life across the city.
January saw the relaunch of our community member scheme. Explore is an independent organisation, owned by its staff and its community members. For just £1, anyone over 16 can buy a share and have a direct say in how Explore is run, including electing three directors to the board. At the start of the year, we had just under 300 community members. By December, that figure had grown to more than 800 – I am grateful for their support.
February brought some amazing cultural activities, thanks to Arts Council England because Explore is one of its National Portfolio organisations. Local people worked with local creatives using documents from our archives to create new art and drama performances.
Listen to our History Misbehaves podcasts at: historymisbehaves.buzzsprout.com.
In March we were part of York BID’s Restaurant Week, with Hungate and York Explore Cafes taking part. As a director on the York BID board, I’m pleased that Explore could support an event that encourages people to shop locally while bringing more visitors into city-centre spaces.
In April, Explore stepped in to host a temporary Banking Hub in Acomb. This meant local residents could still access essential banking services. As Acomb manager Fiona put it: “Having the banking hub here was a real boost for local residents and businesses. People could do their banking, enjoy a cuppa and even pick up a book.” While that partnership has ended, Haxby & Wigginton Library is now home to a Post Office, supported by ward funding and Haxby Town Council.
In May we focused on families and early years. Nearly 100 different under-five activities happen in Explore libraries each month including our popular Stay and Play sessions, delivered with City of York Council and inspired by the NSPCC’s Look, Say, Sing, Play campaign. We welcome parents and carers of children aged 0-5 years into a warm, friendly space and help young brains to grow and develop through the power of play. I love being in our libraries when these sessions are on, even when The Wheels on the Bus becomes my ear worm for the day!
We celebrated Big Green Week in June, and especially our volunteer gardening club in Acomb. The club was set up in memory of a much-loved volunteer who transformed an unused patch of land behind the library into a thriving garden. Following his death in 2024, staff and volunteers came together to continue his work, supported by start-up funding from Westfield Ward. A memorial bench in the garden has this lovely tribute – “John Gwilliams 1947 – 2024 who filled this place with flowers”. Explore has more than 600 volunteers who give more than 2,000 hours to us every month. They are all valued members of our Explore family and I am so very grateful for all the time and dedication they bring.
In July, the Summer Reading Challenge began. More than 2,700 children signed up for the challenge and just over half completed the challenge to read six books over the summer holiday. Nearly 700 children also joined the library as members. As well as the challenge, we offered a programme of 113 summer holiday activities in our libraries – wire modelling at New Earswick, shadow puppets at Tang Hall, a family theatre show at York Explore library, and music at Clifton. By working with wonderful local organisations such as Pilot Theatre and Next Door But One, we can offer high-quality activities at minimal cost.
In September, working with the NHS, Explore introduced Health Check kiosks at York, Clifton and Tang Hall Explore Centres. Free to use, the kiosks allow people to check blood pressure, BMI and other key indicators. We have had a great response to these from our customers – in the first three months alone, they were used more than 1,000 times. As one of our customers said: “The library is as important as the doctors and pharmacy”.
In October, Dringhouses library held a fabulous fundraising art exhibition inspired by a beautiful pencil sketch of the library by customer Mick Fryer. Manager Lucy Sawyer-Walpole put out a call for artworks inspired by Dringhouses and libraries in general. The exhibition featured work from established artists and local amateurs, all auctioned to raise funds for Explore – a strong example of how communities rally around their libraries.
November brought another amazing story of support. The Friends of Bishopthorpe Library fundraised for much-needed new windows, and through a combination of determination, creativity and community spirit, raised an amazing £11,665.20. This fantastic achievement showed partnership working and community support at its absolute best.
As 2025 ends, I’m proud of what Explore has delivered with and for York’s communities. I am in awe of what my team achieves, and feel blessed by the support of our community members and volunteers, and more conscious than ever of the importance of Explore’s work for people in York.
If you’re still looking for a Christmas gift with real local impact, a donation to Explore – maybe on behalf of someone you love – is a practical way to support work that matters across York. Give a gift with lasting value, the gift of Explore!
Find all the ways you can support Explore through this link: exploreyork.org.uk/support-us
Jenny Layfield is the chief executive of Explore York Libraries and Archives
