Your Future Libraries – our Capital Development Programme

Explore has an exciting future ahead. We will work with you – our library and archive customers, local residents, partners, and communities – to transform the library service from the one you see today.

You know that Explore spaces in your local area are safe, welcoming and accessible. We know from listening to you that you would like more services available locally.

• You need a place to sit and enjoy a cup of tea alone or with friends.
• You want the latest books and information.
• You want to use a PC for free with people around to help if you need them.
• You want to be able to be creative with other people in your community.
• You want to get involved with Explore as a volunteer or joining a Friends groups.

We want to work with you to create your libraries shaped by your needs. Our successful, new co-located libraries in Tang Hall and in New Earswick will be the pattern for renewing our libraries in the communities of York

We have worked with City of York Council to secure funding for transformations at Clifton, Haxby and Wigginton and Acomb.

Clifton

In March 2023 the Council appointed a contractor – Walter Thompson Ltd – and they started work on-site in spring 2023. The new Explore Centre is due to open in Autumn 2024.

Our community partners Snappy, City of York Council’s Home Tuition Service, Accessible Arts and Media and York Learning will all be based with us in the Explore Centre and we are working together as we develop the new space.

You can find out more about how things are moving along, and how to keep in touch with next steps by clicking the Clifton button below.

Haxby and Wigginton

Haxby and Wigginton Library re-opened on 3 January 2023.

The new library is co-located with Oaken Grove Community Centre and we worked closely with the centre’s trustees and local residents on plans to refurbish and extend the existing building. Work started in June was completed in late autumn 2022. As well as ample space for a fabulous library, we also opened a Reading Café at the centre.

Acomb

The Explore Centre on Front Street, Acomb is already well-known and loved as a lively hub at the heart of the community. In 2023 we heard your thoughts for how we might improve Acomb Explore further and used what you told us to bid for funding of £250k from the Arts Council. We will hear the outcome of this bid in March 2024. It was our first Explore Centre and was last refurbished back in 2007