Explore York Libraries and Archives Annual Review 2025-26 - Flipbook - Page 26
Community Membership
Explore’s greatest strength is its people. Our Community Members
help shape the future of libraries, archives and cultural services,
ensuring they continue to reflect the needs and aspirations of local
communities. By sharing their voices, ideas and support, they form
part of a growing network committed to learning, culture, heritage
and wellbeing, helping us create welcoming spaces and opportunities
that enrich lives across York.
As we look ahead to
Explore’s next decade,
I am struck by just how
much we have achieved
together. Over the past
year we have welcomed
more people through our
doors, helped people
discover new opportunities to read, learn
and participate, and achieved national
Archives Accreditation, helping to ensure
York’s stories are protected and accessible
for future generations.
What makes Explore special is that it
is shaped by the people who use and
support it. As a Community Member, you
are doing more than showing your support
for Explore. You are helping influence the
future of an independent, communityowned organisation that believes everyone
should have access to knowledge, culture
and opportunity. Your ideas, feedback and
involvement help us remain rooted in the
communities we serve.
Thank you for being part of Explore.
Together, we are creating places where
people can read, learn, create, connect with
others and feel part of their community. I
look forward to what we
can achieve in the years
ahead.
Jenny Layfield,
Chief Executive
26
Explore Annual Review 2025/26
Membership benefits
As a Community Member, you can play an active
role in the future of Explore. Members can attend
and vote at the AGM, take part in meetings and
events, receive updates on our work through our
newsletters, share ideas and feedback, and even
stand for election as a Community Director. It’s
an opportunity to have your voice heard, stay
connected to the services you value and join a
community that champions learning, culture and
heritage across York.
Become a member
Anyone over 16 can join Explore. Membership
costs £1 and gives each person a share in the
organisation and a voice in how it develops.
Members elect three Community Directors to
the board, who represent them at meetings and
update them on news and events through the
structured Community Membership programme.
Growing community connections
Our Community Membership programme
continues to develop, refining a more
structured approach to engagement and
attracting more members. This has created a
more consistent way of communicating with
and involving supporters.
25,294
active library members
