Skipton library

Information about Skipton library including contact details and services offered.

Skipton library
High Street
Skipton
BD23 1JX

Email: skipton.library@northyorks.gov.uk
Telephone: 01609 534548

Library opening hours

  • Monday, 9.30am to 7pm
  • Tuesday, closed
  • Wednesday, 9.30am to 7pm
  • Thursday, 9.30am to 7pm
  • Friday, 9.30am to 5pm
  • Saturday, 9.30am to 1.30pm
  • Sunday, closed

Finding the library, parking and access

The library is on the High Street in Skipton, opposite the Town Hall and next to the statue of Matthew Wilson. A bus stop is directly outside; the main bus station and train station are each about a ten minute walk away.

No designated parking is available for the library, but on non-market days (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) there are two hours of free parking outside along each side of the marketplace. The nearest car park is behind the Town Hall, opposite.

The library has automatic doors and wheelchair access to the ground floor.

Autism friendly library

The team at Skipton library has achieved autism friendly status to make the library more welcoming and easier to use for people with autism and their families.

Items available from the library

You can borrow a range of books for all ages in a variety of formats, including large print and audio. Music CDs, DVDs and foreign language titles are also available for loan, as well as micro:bits. You can request any item that is not immediately available.

Information and facilities at the library

  • family history
  • free online access to Ancestry.com, Find My Past, the British Newspaper Archive and Access to Research
  • free wi-fi
  • help and support using IT
  • internet and computer access
  • local studies
  • magazines and newspapers
  • parents' collection
  • photocopying, printing and scanning
  • study area

Activities at the library

For further information about any of the following activities, please contact the library on 01609 534548.

Ancestry 121

Our Ancestry 121 is for anyone wanting help with tracing their family tree. Booking is essential. It runs on Mondays from 12 midday to 4pm and on Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm.

Class visits

Class visits to the library may be organised.

Creative writing group

The creative writing group meets on the last Wednesday of the month from 5.30pm to 7pm and also on the second Saturday of the month from 11am to 1pm. Aimed at adults, the group take turns to set writing exercises, read out work and get involved with creative writing projects.

IT help

Our 121 IT help is for anyone wanting help with any aspect of computers, IT and getting online. Booking is essential. It runs on Wednesdays from 10am to 12 midday, Thursdays from 9.45am to 11.45am and 1pm to 3pm and Friday from 1pm to 3pm.

Knit and natter

The knit and natter group meets every Wednesday from 10am to 12 midday and on Saturday 9.30am to 11.30am. Aimed at anyone who likes crafting, it's an informal group who meet weekly to knit, crochet and craft in a social setting.

Reading group

A monthly reading group meets on a Monday evening and Wednesday lunchtime and evening.

Stay and Play

A relaxed session for mums and tots from 10.30am to 11.30am on the third Friday of the month.

Code Club

For ages 6 to 11yrs. Every Friday (during term time) from 3.45pm to 4.45pm.

Story time

For under 5s. Every Friday (during term time) from 2pm, and every Wednesday at 11am.

Rhyme time

For under 5s. Every Thursday (during term time) from 2pm.

Pet Therapy

Come and meet buddy our Therapy Dog on Saturday’s from 11am to 12:30pm.

Dementia friendly coffee morning

On the first Thursday of the month, from 10am to 12 noon.

Coffee Plus

On the third Thursday of the month at 10:45am.

PCSO drop-in

On the last Monday of the month, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.

Verse and Voice

Poetry group. Every Thursday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

Social media

You can follow North Yorkshire libraries on Library Service Twitter.

Volunteering

There are a number of opportunities to volunteer at the library. See the library volunteering page or ask at the library for further details.