No date set for Dringhouses library re-opening

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 June, York Explore have announced their plans for re-opening York’s libraries. Smaller libraries, including Dringhouses, will remain closed during this first stage of re-opening.

Dringhouses library will remain closed for the time being

From Monday 6 July the following libraries will be open for pre-booked appointments only:

– Central library

– Acomb

– Clifton

– Tang Hall

– Mobile library

At these libraries you will be able to collect and return books and use the public computers and printers.

The new reading café in Hungate will open for the first time on 7 July. The cafes at Rowntree Park and Homestead Park open on 6 July . All will be serving drinks and snacks to take away and enjoy outside.

Opening hours at libraries will be 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

More information can be found at the Explore website HERE

Free online newspapers and magazines – now LIVE

Press Reader – the app giving free access to 7,000 online newspapers and magazines – is now live and free to access for anyone with an Explore library card.

Explore was able to buy a subscription to Press Reader with part of the grant awarded last week by City of York Council from the Covid-19 general support grant.

If you don’t have a York Card or a Library Card, you can find out how to sign up online HERE

Here is how to use Press Reader…

  1. Download the PressReader app from your app store, or just visit the website in your internet browser (the app is recommended for the touchscreen experience)
  2. Click “Sign in”
  3. Click “Libraries and Groups”
  4. Select “Explore York Libraries and Archives…” from the list by searching for “Explore” or “York”
  5. Enter your library card number and click sign in (note: this is your card number starting with a Y, not any kind of alternative ID you may have set up)
  6. It’ll ask for your email address, a password and your name to set up an account. Remember the password because you’ll need this again in 30 days.  Also on this screen you can browse the terms and privacy policy.  Then tap sign in at the bottom.
  7. That’s it, you’re signed in.  Click “select publication” to start browsing.

After 30 days you’ll need to log in again with your email address and password.

More information is available on the Explore website HERE

York libraries announce 2016 “Big City Read”

Big City Read PatBarker_RegenerationYork libraries have announced that the Big City Read for 2016 will be “Regeneration” by Pat Barker. The book was first published in 1991 and is set in the First World War.

It was subsequently turned into a film.

Pat Barker was born not far from York in Thornaby-on-Tees.

“Regeneration” plot summary

Regeneration begins with Siegfried Sassoon’s open letter, dated July 1917, protesting the conduct and insincerities of the First World War. The letter has been published in the London Times and has received much attention in England, as many people are upset over the length and toll of the war thus far. The army is not sure what to do with Sassoon, as his letter clearly threatens to undermine the strength of the war effort at home.

 With the string-pulling and guidance of Robert Graves, a fellow poet and friend of Sassoon, the Board agrees to send Sassoon to Craiglockhart War Hospital—a mental facility in Scotland—rather than court-marshaling him. Sassoon is at first hesitant to agree to this, since he (rightly) fears that being committed to a mental hospital will undermine his cause; however, convinced by Graves that there is no other option, Sassoon agrees.

At Craiglockhart, Sassoon meets with Dr. W.H.R. Rivers, a former anthropologist turned psychiatrist who encourages his patients to express their war memories so that they can heal their “nerves.” Though Rivers can sympathize with the strong dislike of the horrors of war, he believes it is his duty to encourage Sassoon to return to France to fight.
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What’s on: Angel Small and friends

Angel Small Cover Image

Date: Mon 21 Dec
Time: 11.00am-12.00 noon
Venue: York Explore : Garden Room
Cost: Free but booking is advised

Come down to the library and meet Angel Small wth puppets, words and song.

Come along and meet Angel Small as author Karen Langtree tells her story with puppets, words and songs.

Make your own angel, while enjoying some juice and biscuits.
A parent or carer must stay at this session.

You will have the opportunity to buy a Angel Small book and get it signed by Karen!

The event is free but booking is essential.

Please make sure you either telephone the library on 01904 552828 or email on York@exploreyork.org.uk

What’s on: Molecules and manuscripts

Date: Tue 8 Dec
Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Venue: York Explore Library
Cost: £6 or £5 with a YorkCard

MoleculesWhat can ancient manuscripts tell us about medieval animals?

Join Dr Sarah Fiddyment as she reveals the hidden layer of biomolecular information just waiting to be read in medieval parchments in this exciting fusion of history and science.

Open to all.

Tickets can be purchased from any Explore Library, by phoning 01904 552800 or from www.feelinginspired.co.uk