Library and Record Office services during Coronavirus (Covid-19)

• Community libraries
• Managed libraries
• Supermobile library
• The Record Office
• Historic Environment Records

Community Libraries

Community libraries are offering services in-line with Government guidance. You can see the current details we have on what services they are able to offer below. However, we would recommend checking their websites and social media accounts for the most up to date information. You can find links to these on our library pages.

Managed libraries

Libraries managed by ourselves are open for people to choose their own books and spend some time. We are no longer restricting numbers except for pre-bookable activities. We are gradually reintroducing our full range of services such as events, meeting room hire, study space or regular group meetings, where we can and it is safe to do so. Public computers are available for bookings.

Staff and volunteers will continue to wear masks for now and we would encourage our customers to do the same. Track and trace is still available and we will maintain our hand sanitiser stations.

Whilst we are not enforcing social distancing we want everyone to feel safe and comfortable so would ask that you treat others using the building with consideration as we know that many visitors wish to remain cautious.

Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.

Managed library opening hours and contact details

Select and Collect service

In response to public demand, we are continuing to offer a ‘select and collect' service at Filey, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Malton, Northallerton, Pickering, Ripon, Selby, Scarborough, Skipton and Whitby libraries as well as many of our community libraries.

You can request books by calling or emailing your library and one of our library team will hand pick your choices and arrange for you to come and collect them at a time convenient to you.

The books will be ready for you to collect from the library entrance and you’ll be able to borrow the books for three weeks.

You can use the select and collect service by completing the  select and collect request form (doc / 372 KB) and emailing it to us or by contacting your local library using the details above.

Public access computers

People can book to use the public access computers at all libraries and we are increasing the number of computers available to use.

You can book yourself onto an available PC for 30 minutes at no charge. Charges may apply after the free period.

Customers with subscriptions can now ask for these to be re-activated

Home Library Service

We understand that some people will still not be able to visit the library at the moment due to ill health or carer responsibilities. We are pleased to be able to offer our popular and free Home Library Service. Books can be selected by the library team and delivered to your doorstep once a fortnight, free of charge. We will also collect any library books from your doorstep to return to the library on your behalf.

Further information can be found on our home library service page or contact your local library.

Supermobile library

Our Supermobile library is on the road. We have a temporary timetable, which you can view below.

You can come on the vehicle to choose your own books but if you would like us to select books for you to collect when we visit call 01609 533878 or email supermobile@northyorks.gov.uk.

Books out on loan

Books can be renewed at your local library, by calling 01609 532774 or by logging onto your account and entering your library card number and PIN. You can also renew your books via our library app or email us at libraries@northyorks.gov.uk.

The North Yorkshire Library app can be downloaded from the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices.

Digital library

You can access library services online or via the library app (the North Yorkshire Library app can be downloaded from the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices).

Find out more and explore our digital collection on our eBooks, eMagazines and digital audiobooks here.

We recommend that you download the apps to make the service as easy to access as possible.

Joining the library and PIN numbers

You can quickly and easily become a member, renew  an expired  membership or get your PIN number by  visiting your local library.

If you can’t get to your library you can give us a call on  01609 533878, email libraries@northyorks.gov.uk or join the library online.

Joining the library is free.

Subscriptions

All subscriptions are now available to use as normal. Expiry dates were extended during the pandemic so that no one has lost out.

Help for home schooling

There are a number of free online information resources available as part of our library collection to help support children. These includes:

• Britannia Encyclopaedia Junior is for children aged 5 to 11 and is a great place for homework help and to and find information about people, browse timelines, and compare countries. The encyclopaedia covers most school subjects and has links to the CBBC news website.
• Encyclopaedia Britannica Student (for ages 12 to 18) has more in-depth information on a wide range of topics as well as biographies and featured spotlights.
• There are loads of resources from Oxford University Press including dictionaries, encyclopaedias of art and music, research articles, bibliographies and biographies.  

Younger children will love ZipTales which features interactive stories with voiceovers, animations, games, quizzes and more to help make reading fun for children.

If they need a break from learning they can always read one of the hundreds of comics we have available in our eBooks, eMagazines and digital audiobooks collection.

Look after yourself

The Reading Well collection helps you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing. The books are chosen by health experts and people living with the conditions covered. Currently available are: 

• Reading well list for young people
• Reading well list for children
• Reading well list to support mental health
• Reading well list for people with dementia
• Reading well list for people with long-term conditions

Keep up to Date:

As a library member you can get daily news from around the world or read your favourite magazines for free using PressReader or Overdrive which are also available on our eBooks, eMagazines and digital audiobooks page.

Again, if you're using a tablet or smartphone, we'd recommend downloading their apps.

Our digital library includes these and all of our other free online resources including family history, business support and employment skills. All can be accessed through our library app. The North Yorkshire Library app can be downloaded from the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices.

The Record Office

We welcome visits by appointment only, to view pre-ordered original archival documents & microfilms. 

Opening hours

• Monday: closed
• Tuesday: 10am to 12:30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm
• Wednesday: 10am to 12:30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm
• Thursday: 10am to 12:30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm
• Friday: closed
• Saturday: closed
• Sunday: closed

We will review these opening hours regularly.

Our updated Record Office services

We have reviewed our service, opening times and arrangements to follow government guidelines and keep our staff and visitors safe.

Visiting the Record Office

• Please make an appointment and pre-order all documents before visiting. At present, we can only accommodate a limited number of visitors at any one time. We will not be able to accommodate visitors arriving without an appointment. 
• You must book a place even if you only want to consult microfilm or printed catalogues, or use the People’s Network computer. 
• Each booking is for one person only – you will not be able to bring anyone with you unless they also have a place reserved.
• We regret that personal searches in the North Riding Registry of Deeds 1885-1970 are not yet possible. Microfilm copies of the Registry of Deeds 1736-1884 may be consulted.
• Original documents must be requested a minimum of three working days prior to your visit.
• We will encourage visitors to wear a face covering whilst in the building but will not insist upon it.
• We want to offer an equal service to everyone and may limit the number of bookings an individual may make in order to manage demand fairly.

Making an appointment

• Before visiting, you can search our online catalogue to check that we hold the records you are looking for. This is not an exhaustive list and not all catalogues are currently available online. 
• Once you know what you wish to see, please email us with a list of the documents and the date and time of your preferred session. Please include a telephone number so that we can contact you to discuss your request if necessary.
• We will email you to confirm your appointment and provide all the information you need to maximise time for viewing documents, prior to your visit. Please do not travel to the office if you have not received a confirmation email.
• If you are unsure whether we hold the records you wish to see, please contact us, by email (archives@northyorks.gov.uk) where possible, with your enquiry. You may also contact us by telephone on 01609 777585. Our team will answer your queries and assist you before you visit as far as possible. We will discuss document requests during this consultation.

On arrival

• Please arrive at your appointment time.
• Please do not visit if you develop any of the symptoms of the coronavirus including:
  • a high temperature
  • a new continuous cough
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• If you develop any of these symptoms whilst in the building, you should inform a member of staff and you will be asked to leave.
• Our normal registration and signing in processes will be in place.
• We will continue to have social distancing andhygiene measures in place and you will be asked to wash or sanitise your hands before entering the searchroom. Sanitiser will be available.
• You will be assigned a desk and a locker when you book. You can bring a pencil, paper and personal devices (laptop / tablet / phone / camera) into the searchroom. All other personal items should be locked in your assigned locker. This includes all coats and bags, including device bags.
• Our usual reprographic and copying charges will apply. Self-service copying will be available but please note that it will not be possible for staff to make copies for you on the day. Payment will be taken by card only.
• We will not have pencils or magnifiers for loan.
• We will also have additional cleaning processes in place.

Facilities

• The People’s Network computer will be available for use but must be pre-booked.
• There will not be any refreshment facilities available for visitors. There are cafes and shops within a 10 minute walk.
• The building will be closed to visitors over lunchtime to allow for extra cleaning.
• Customer toilets will be open.
• Windows will be open for ventilation and the searchroom may be cooler than usual.
• Payment for goods and services will be taken by card only. No cash payments will be taken.

Remote services

Our remote Reprographics and Research services will continue to operate so you can request that we produce copies or do research on your behalf if you prefer not to visit in person. There is a charge for this service. Please see Record office collections and services.

Historic Environment Records

Physical access to the historic environment records is restricted, however the other services provided by the North Yorkshire historic environment records are being conducted as usual. A great deal of the physical records held within the historic environment records are scanned, some with permissions to digitally disseminate. We will try our best to acquire copyright permission to disseminate for any reports or documents requested to facilitate remote working and study – please do ask if this might help you.