Community archive collections ready to go on show in York

Interesting web site review of the modern records archive service being set up in new accommodation at the central Library.

Already catalogued are 15 collections including

New Archive reading room

New Archive reading room

  • The York Art Society
  • York Rugby League Club
  • York Musical Theatre Society
  • Boy Scouts Association York
  • York Educational Settlement
  • Cundall Family Papers and Photographs

Also available will be some interesting records from the First World War including details of buildings damaged by Zeppelin attacks (some of which are still standing)

The new archive and library is expected to open to the public on Monday 5th January 2015

 

York libraries progress report to be considered next week

The first progress report since York’s libraries were taken over by a “Community Benefit Society” is to be publicly considered next week The Society holds exempt charitable status & is jointly owned by staff and the community.

The society receives a York Council taxpayer’s subsidy of £1.9425th May 11 New Library Square million each year but is expected to make savings of £50,000 next year.

The report reveal’s that, not only are visitor numbers down because of the central Library temporary closure, but book issues are also continuing to decline.

However EBooks and audio downloads are increasing rapidly.

From February 2015 a toy library service will be introduced. Parents, after selecting toys on line, will be able to pick them up from their nearest library. This service replaces the now defunct toy library bus.

The new Archives and Local History Library will open along with the rest of York Explore on 5th January 2015.

 The report can be read by clicking here

Performance results can be read by clicking here

Unleash your creativity with 3D Printing at Explore Acomb Library

On Saturday 6 December, Explore Acomb Library will be hosting two 3D Printing events.

3d_touch_3d_printer

During these three-hour events, experts will train learners in 3D design using the latest technology, and each learner will be given the opportunity to print their design to take home with them – this could include 3D jewellery, ornaments, model trains, toys, utensils and much more.

And as the events occur in early December, this could be the perfect opportunity to design and create a unique Christmas gift for that special someone.

Customers have a choice of a morning or afternoon session:

Saturday 6 December, 9.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday 6 December, 13.30pm – 16.30pm.

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Please call Explore Acomb Library on 01904 552651 to reserve a place. Tickets are priced at £30 per person which includes design training, model creation and refreshments. The events are open to all ages.

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Council admits error in Library use figures

Following our story at the weekend, the Council has now said that there was an error in the usage figures they provided for York libraries last year.

The revised figures now issued, in response to the Freedom of Information request, turn what appeared to be a decline in use into a modest increase.

Revised York Library visit numbers. click to enlarge

Revised York Library visit numbers. click to enlarge



However the most recent figures available suggest that the number of visits made in the City to libraries has reduced by around 30% since the central library was closed in June.

2014 library visitor numbers click to access

2014 library visitor numbers click to access

Numbers visiting York Libraries halves?

Note – Story update – Council issues revised figures click here

The number of residents using York’s libraries appeared to half last year as rebuilding works took a toll.

The figures were revealed by the York Council in response to a Freedom of Information request

The relatively new library in Rowntree Park increased its visitor numbers to 89,478 putting it second only to Acomb (117,402 visitors) in popularity

Tang Hall library is being moved to a site at Burnholme College while York central library is closed for a refurbishment project

This, Heritage Lottery Fund funded, Gateway To History project is a £1.77m plan to create a 21st century Archive at York Explore. It will be finished in 2016, although the library should reopen later this year.

The Library service – which is now run by a “mutual society” – costs taxpayers around £2.3 million each year.

The mutual society is member run. Two thirds of members are library users, and one third staff.

Any York resident over the age of 16 can become a member for free, and effectively becomes the holder of one share in the society, worth a nominal £1. You have to apply to be a member: do so by emailing contact@exploreyork.org.uk.

Library users don’t have to be members of Explore to use the services.

Every member can vote on the way Explore is run at the annual general meeting.

At the moment there are about 120,000 registered users of library services

There may be some concern that many library users don’t appear – during the period that 2 libraries have been closed – to have transferred their business to other libraries in the City. Neither the new library management company not the Council, have published a business plan showing the assumptions they made on overall library visitor numbers during and after the rebuilding projects.

With an additional library planned as part of the community stadium project in Huntington, future user numbers are likely to be viewed with increased interest. A return to the steady growth, as seen over most of the last decade, will be the least that taxpayers will expect.