City of York Council’s library service is celebrating this week by opening the UK’s first library reading café.

Set in award-winning Rowntree Park, the library will form part of the new reading cafe, an extension of the citywide Explore brand, which places emphasis on providing high quality food, a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere and flexible spaces to host different activities and events. The reading café will be staffed with a small team and the council will recruit two apprentices to work there. Income generated by café sales will fund the facility.

The council’s library services are bucking the national trend by opening a new facility when funding cuts are forcing closures elsewhere. Situated in a newly-renovated Edwardian tea shop in the city’s award-wining Rowntree Park, the 21st century, self-funded reading café with free wi-fi will open on the day the park celebrates its 91st birthday on 14 July 2012 with a traditional party and community fair.

Visitors can choose from an exciting selection of books and can take advantage of a running programme of events and learning opportunities including author events, story sessions and art classes. Spaces in the reading café will be available for hire for birthday parties or family celebrations.

Cath Mortimer from the Friends of Rowntree Park said: “Rowntree Park is a wonderful park and it now has a great café to go with the other facilities. We look forward to continuing to work with the council, in developing the library and community facilities which are the cherries on the cake!”

Rowntree Park was a gift to the city by Messrs Rowntree & Co in 1921 as a memorial to the Cocoa Works staff who served in World War I. Mr Fred Rowntree, the park’s architect, worked with Joseph Rowntree to plan the park with the aim of promoting the health and enjoyment of York citizens.

The lake was not initially included in the plans but was added to give immediate interest when it opened as many of the trees would not be fully grown. A set of listed gates on Terry Avenue were added to the park in memory of those who fell in World War II.

The park keeper’s building included a café on the ground floor, with accommodation in the lodge above. The present Park Keeper Dave Brown has been in residence for over 20 years.