Society books its place to manage city’s libraries and archives for next 15 years

A COMMUNITY organisation has set out a range of “exciting plans” after getting the approval to continue running libraries in York.

Explore Libraries and Archives Mutual Limited, a community benefit society with charitable status, has been operating York Council’s libraries and archives service since 2014.

And yesterday the council announced details of a new contract that will see the society continuing to manage the service for the next 15 years.

Explore Libraries chief executive Fiona Williams said: “We are thrilled to have won the opportunity to continue to deliver York’s libraries and archives service.

“We have such exciting plans for the future, including more public engagement with the archives, encouraging everyone to enjoy reading, setting up an archive images library online and delivering more cultural and creative events in our libraries.

“Our aim is to reach everyone and we will be working very hard to ensure that everyone in York benefits from what we do. We thank the council for giving us this amazing opportunity.”

The new contract, which is due to start on April 1, was awarded to Explore Libraries following a procurement process.

It also comes on the back of a recent city-wide consultation on the future of York’s libraries and archives service.

Coun Nigel Ayre, the council’s executive member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “The city’s libraries are truly valued by our communities and therefore, I am delighted that this new contract will secure the future of the city’s valued libraries and archives service for the next 15 years.

“This announcement demonstrates our commitment to the city’s libraries, particularly at a time when local authorities elsewhere in the country are having to make difficult decisions about the future of their libraries.”

Explore Libraries is one third owned by staff and two thirds by community members.