Annual Review 2026 9 Sept FINAL - Flipbook - Page 7
Explore: A different kind
of public service
Explore is shaped by the people it serves. As an independent mutual
society, owned by staff and community members, we safeguard the
city’s libraries and archives, providing trusted spaces that help more
people connect with the stories, records and experiences that define
our city.
People are at the heart of everything we
do. Nearly 100 employees work alongside
volunteers, community members, partners
and local directors to deliver services that
reflect the city’s priorities and the voices of the
communities we serve. Guided by community
feedback, our community-led approach helps
us stay relevant and responsive, enabling us to
plan, adapt and evolve what we offer to enrich
local lives and support learning and wellbeing.
Every day, we see the difference Explore has
in people’s lives: the confidence they build,
the progress they make and the possibilities
that open up for them. Understanding their
experiences helps us plan our future direction
and services.
Read, meet, learn, imagine,
create and belong: your Explore,
your choice.
6
Reading Cafes
More than
850
years of York’s
history curated in
the City Archive
Explore Annual Review 2025/26
7
