York Libraries – call for more transparency over future

York Explore Library

Staff working in York’s libraries are understandably concerned about the lack of any announcement about the future of the service.

The libraries are currently run by “Explore Libraries and Archives Mutual Limited” company.

Their contract comes to an end in March 2019.

In June 2018 the Council decided to tender for the continuation of the service.

A report raised several worrying options including the introduction of “volunteer” run branches. Others were concerned that a large leisure management company based outside the City would take over the service.

The contract on offer is believed to be worth £32 million and covers a 15 year period.

Acomb Explore Library

The present management arrangements are essentially a development of the team that led the library organisation when it was run by the Council. They have had a generally successful 5 years with, against the national trend,  user numbers stable and some useful innovations like the reading café in Rowntree Park introduced.

An updated report on the Libraries recent activities was published yesterday (it says that they can now handle visa applications – a role that the Post Office revealed, during consultations about the relocation of the Lendal office to W H Smiths, they were losing)

The Councils Forward Plan which lists all major upcoming decisions runs until 28th April 2019.

It does not include a decision item on the future of the library service.

What’s on in York: Everything is Permitted, Restrictions Still Apply

“Everything is Permitted, Restrictions Still Apply” – a psychoanalytic perspective on contemporary life.

Dec _10Ian

York Explore Library :

Mon 17 Dec :

6.00pm – 7.45pm :

Free

Ian Thurston, a public sector psychoanalytic psychotherapist living in York talks about his recently published first book, which offers an applied psychoanalytic perspective on dominant emotional trends in contemporary life.

There is a need to better understand the emotional motivations that might underlie the polarized thinking currently evident amongst populist right and progressive left alike, motivations that might be at odds with professed political ideology.

The author suggests that there are powerful social defences against facing loss, limitation and internal conflict. He applies a historicized psychoanalytic perspective on these phenomena, highlighting the decline and denigration of the old centres of traditional industry, and the rise of an increasingly narcissistic culture, in which emotional narratives of victimhood trump the need for evidence and the claims of “traditional” expertise and authority.

There will be opportunity for discussion and debate.

Author’s Biography:
I am a York resident, brought up on Tyneside,  currently working as a psychonanalytic psychotherapist within the NHS, and with many years of experience of working in public sector mental health care, in the north of England and London.

Please visit our ticketing website to book a place.

What’s on in York: Getting started with House History

Dec _15House

York Explore Library 

Sat 15 Dec :

1.00pm – 4.00pm :

£25

Have you ever wondered who lived in your property before you?

How old it is, or what historical events it might have witnessed?

Join Explore’s Archivist (Access and Engagement), Laura Yeoman, as she takes you through how to get started with researching the history of your home. This introductory session assumes no prior knowledge, and you will have a chance to get those burning questions answered!

Please visit our ticketing website to book a place.

What’s on in York: Finding the Words – York Stanza Christmas Showcase

Dec _13Stanza

York Explore Library 

Thu 13 Dec :

6.45pm – 7.45pm :

Free

Poets from the York Stanza strut their stuff.

Started eight years ago by Carole Bromley, the York Stanza (part of a network of local groups under the umbrella of the Poetry Society) now has sixty members who between them have carried off most of the country’s poetry prizes.

A range of poets will read and perform their work. Readers will include Carole Bromley, Richard Carpenter, Phil Connolly, Mary Ann Dearlove, Nick Boreham, Jenny Hill, Andy Humphrey,  Nairn Kennedy, Patrick Lodge, Mary Matusz , Rob Miles, Stuart Pickford  and Hannah Stone

Come along and join us for a pre-Christmas celebration.

For more information please call the library on (01904) 552828 or york@exploreyork.org.uk.

What’s on in York Explore events for international day of people with disabilities

Live video link with Urbino, Italy

Dec _3Italy

York Explore Library :

Mon 3 Dec :

11.15am – 12.15pm :

Free

Part of York’s UN International Day of People with Disabilities programme. 

Live video link at 11:30am bringing together communities from York and Urbino, Italy to celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities  2018.

Discussion and debate with this year’s winners of the Eleanor Worthington Prize for arts and disabilities.

To book your FREE place email arts@exploreyork.org.uk

In partnership with associazione Premio Eleanor Worthington

Young Persons’ Disability Arts Group

Dec _3YPDAG

York Explore Library :

Mon 3 Dec :

6.00pm – 7.30pm :

Free

Part of York’s UN International Day of People with Disabilities programme.  Working with professional artists, this new group is an opportunity for young people to creatively express themselves through disability art, understand what disability art is and help profile issues relevant for young disabled people. Moving forward, this project will be supported and funded by Arts Council England. .

Step-free access.  Accessible toilets.  Limited disabled parking available.

To book a FREE  place email arts@exploreyork.org.uk

What’s on in York: Holding the Line: Female Railway Workers in World War Two

Dec _3Female Railway

York Explore Library

Mon 3 Dec :

6.15pm – 7.45pm :

£6, or £5 with a YorkCard

Join Susan Major as she talks about the contents of her new book on the role women played in the railway industry in the Second World War.

Using recorded interviews carried out by the Friends of the National Railway Museum, Susan Major’s book explores the experiences of women railway workers taken on in wartime.

The interviews cover many areas of Britain, but this talk will include some of those working at York station during the bombing raid of 1942. The women interviewed talk about working with men for the first time, doing men’s work and the problems of workplaces not designed for women. Susan will also show how working women were portrayed by the railway companies and the media at the time.

One not to be missed!

This event will take place in The Marriott Room and tickets cost £6, or £5 with a YorkCard

Please visit our ticketing website to book a place.

What’s on in York: “Say Owt” Disabled People’s Writing Workshop

Dec _2Say Owt

York Explore Library :

Sun 2 Dec :

1.00pm – 3.00pm :

Free

Part of York’s UN International Day of People with Disabilities programme.  Say Owt, York’s rowdiest spoken word and performance poetry organisation, team up with local poet Katherine Watson to lead a writing workshop with an optional performance element. Suitable for everyone, from curious beginners to seasoned scribblers.  Open to anyone within the disabled umbrella, including chronically ill, mentally ill and neurodivergent people. Come along to spark some new ideas, or even a new hobby! Carers and guardians welcome.

No need to book.

Step-free access.  Accessible toilets.  Limited disabled parking available. Please contact info@sayowt.co.uk for further info or with any access requirements.

Organised by Say Owt, York spoken word/poetry organisation.  www.sayowt.co.uk

What’s on in York: Communicative Languages Through Visual Arts Exhibition

Hidden Disability Lydia Corfield

York Explore Library :

Fri 30 Nov – Thu 10 Jan :

Opening Times :

Free

Part of York’s UN International Day of People with Disabilities programme.  This vibrant exhibition showcases British and Italian art students’ dynamic responses to the theme of disability and inclusion.  All works have been chosen from entrants to the Eleanor Worthington Prize to celebrate the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  The Prize has been set up by family and friends in memory of Eleanor Worthington, to raise awareness on the issue of disability.

The works exhibited this year at York Explore were submitted for last year’s prize giving event, and illustrate the theme Communicative Languages through Visual Arts.

Step-free access.  Accessible toilets.  Limited disabled parking available.

In partnership with Associazione Premio Eleanor Worthington

For York Explore opening times please visit our website.

Cuppa and a Chorus

Nov _30ChorusYork Explore Library :

Fri 30 Nov, 7 & 14 Dec :

11.30am – 1.00pm :

Free

You do not need to read music or have any previous experience of singing, just a desire to meet new like-minded people in a welcoming environment and to find your own voice.

The sessions are led by our experienced community choir leader, Chris Bartram, who will guide you gently through a variety of different music from around the world.

You can sign up for as many sessions as you would like (you don’t have to commit to all of them).

Contact your local library, email arts@exploreyork.org.uk or call (01904) 552828 to book your free place.

What’s on in York: Jennifer Potter: Stronger. Braver. Wiser

Nov _29Jennifer Potter

York Explore Library :

Thu 29 Nov :

6.30pm – 7.45pm :

Free

Jennifer Potter might never have said anything. She might have just let everything rest. But after seeing the progress made by the #MeToo movement, she knew she had to speak up. So she told the police about her rape. But revisiting the trauma brought everything back: the memories, the pain, the shame of being assaulted. And being questioned on the stand, 20 years after the attack, was like a living nightmare. Maybe this was all for nothing …Jennifer Potter shares her journey from keeping a shameful secret to finding the courage to speak her truth. Stronger. Braver. Wiser is fundamentally a story of triumph, filled with support for those that share the wounds of rape and sexual violence.

Author’s Biography:
Jennifer Potter is a transformational coach, speaker and wellbeing specialist. She works with organisations and individuals to inspire bravery and empowerment. She applies a unique approach to her work, bringing together head, heart and body philosophies to help people thrive, not just survive.

Please visit our ticketing website to book a place.