Explore York Libraries and Archives Annual Review 2024-25 - Report - Page 31
About Explore York
Libraries and Archives
Explore is a different kind of public service – an
independent mutual society owned by our staff and
community members, with membership open to
anyone over the age of 16. The organisation was
incorporated in 2014 and was formed out of the City
of York Council’s former libraries and archives service.
Our staff survey shows us how proud our staff are
that they work for Explore and they believe they make
a real difference to the community.
In 2019 Explore was awarded a 15-year contract
with the City of York Council to provide its statutory
public library and archive service for the city, with
15 libraries including York Explore, the city centre
flagship library and home of the City Archive – a
mobile library, a home library service and 7 Reading
Cafes. The City Archive tells the story of over
850 years of York’s history, the most significant
continuous civic record outside London. We employ
more than 100 people.
Explore receives two thirds of its income from its
contract with City of York Council and the remainder
is raised through its trading subsidiary, grants and
other fundraising.
Explore is firmly rooted in York with a board of
directors who are local people and understand the
city’s needs. Our directors take overall responsibility
for everything we do. Our staff, community members,
library users and partner organisations also get
chance to shape our development in response to the
needs and wishes of local people.
Explore is governed by a set of rules which define
what we do. We are registered with the Financial
Conduct Authority and recognised as having
charitable status by HMRC.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the following people for images used in
this review:
AI Visionaries Youth Club, Alex Lee, Angela Shaw,
Charlie Kirkpatrick, the National Centre for Early
Music, David Harrison, Stephen Lee Hodgkins,
York Archaeology, the staff and customers of New
Earswick Library, the Explore Archives team, and
the staff of Acomb Explore.
Thanks also to Lisa Guest of Cookie Graphic Design.
