York libraries say, “We are hosting lots of exciting activities around late May and early June, so why not bring all the family and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with us. Everyone is welcome to all our celebratory events. To find our what’s happening at your local library see below”.

Dringhouses Library

Diamond Jubilee Memories and Memorabilia Display. Ever been curious about past events? Come along and look at old photographs and read interesting facts about our Queen’s reign. Dringhouses Library, Monday 21 May – Friday 1 June.

Acomb Explore

Saturday 2 June 9am – 2pm at Acomb Explore

•Come along and show off your cake decorating skills and enter our competition. There will be prizes for the most creative! We will be judging at 12 noon for the best adult and junior entries. Or if you’re just a beginner, drop by and ice some of our cookies

• Not a baker? Then get creative with the kids and dress up as your favourite or most fearsome King or Queen…there will be a prize for the best dressed at 11.30am

• If you’re more of a cook, pick up one or more of our recipe bookmarks and mark the occasion with a tasty meal

• Are you more of a historian? Come along and find out what Acomb was like in the 1950s and what was happening

• The kids will be entertained all morning with activities and games, and for the brave visitors, a climbing wall

• Whilst the kids are getting messy why not pamper yourself and have your nails done and then relax and enjoy lunch with the family with 10% off all cafe prices

‘A Poem for the Queen’ competition

Ever fancied yourself as a poet? Write a poem for the queen and submit it to any York Library before the end of June for the chance to win a prize and have your work displayed at Explore York.

Jubilee Storytimes

Around the Jubilee, all of our libraries will be hosting special jubilee-themed storytimes for under 5s.

Explore Acomb, 7 June, 10.30am – 11.30am
Bishopthorpe Library, 7 June, 10.30am – 11am
Clifton Library, 29 May, 10.30am – 11am
Copmanthorpe Library, 7 June, 10.30am – 11am
Dunnington Library, 31 May, 2.15pm – 2.45pm
Dringhouses Library, 26 May, 11am – 11.30am
Haxby Library, 6 June, 2.15pm – 2.45pm
Huntington Library, 29 May, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Fulford Library, 29 May, 2.30pm – 3pm
Explore New Earswick, 1 June, 2.30pm – 3pm
Poppleton Library, 8 June, 2.30 – 3pm
Strensall Library, 1 June, 3.30pm – 4pm
Tang Hall Library, 2 June, 10.30am – 11am
Explore York, 8 June, 10.30am – 11.30am

Activities at your local library

York Explore

York Explore will host Jubilee Fun Days on Saturday 2 June 9am – 5pm and Sunday 3 June 11am – 4pm.
• Who is your favourite King or Queen? Get creative with the kids and enter the fancy dress competition. We will be judging at 2pm on Saturday and there will be a prize for the best dressed
• Are you smarter than a 10 year old?….challenge each other with quizzes and treasure trails in the library
• For the creative ones of you, why not have a go at designing your own postage stamp? There will be many different activities for all ages – even the grandparents
• Have you ever wondered what your street looked like in the past? Who lived there and what did they did? You can find this out and many many more interesting facts about the history of your area.
• For all those dare-devils out there, come along on Sunday to test your nerve on the Climbing Wall
• Not for you? Then come along and pamper yourself and have your make-up done and then relax and enjoy lunch with the family with 10% off all cafe prices!

York Prizes

Thanks to all the local businesses who have donated prizes for the Fancy Dress and Design a Jubilee Stamp competitions. York Boat have donated a family cruise for 2 adults and up to 3 children; York CitySightseeing buses have donated a family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children; Visit York have donated lots of ‘I Love York’ goodies; Corkys Toy Shop have donated 2 wonderfully regal puppets; and WHSmiths have also donated prizes.

Haxby Library

Call in for a cuppa. Inviting all those with stories to tell and those who want to hear them! Share your memories of the Queen’s Coronation over a cuppa. Haxby Library, Friday 1 June, 10am – 4pm.

New Earswick Explore

Kids get creative and come along in your King or Queen fancy dress and we will award a prize for the most imaginative! We have activities and craft ideas to keep you entertained all afternoon. There will also be cake and tea/coffee available to keep you well nourished. Explore New Earswick, Friday 1 June, 2pm-4pm.

Strensall Library

A jubilee fun day including:
• Under 5s story time featuring a special local jubilee-themed story
• Children’s jubilee quiz
• Jubilee children’s fancy dress competition with prizes
• Creative writing competition with prizes – write a jubilee story with a local theme for a chance to win a prize

This event is free and no is ticket required. Carers to stay with children please. Strensall Library, Wednesday 6 June 10.30am – 11.30am.

Tang Hall Library

The Local History Group will provide a memory wall of photographs of the Coronation. We would love people to bring along their own photographs and memorabilia. Share your memories of the day, to be put in a memory book for future generations. Teas, coffees and biscuits will be provided. Tang Hall Library, Thursday 7 June 10am – 4pm.