Coronavirus (COVID-19): Library update
Sherburn & Villages Community Library is managed and operated by volunteers at Sherburn in Elmet Community Trust working in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council.
Services available
We open five times a week (see opening hours and location map). You can borrow a range of books for all ages in a variety of formats, including large print and audio. DVDs and foreign language titles are also 
available for loan. You can request any item that is not immediately available. There are a variety of activities and groups at the library.
Library membership is free and can be used at all libraries run by North Yorkshire County Council. Pop in to apply or apply online.
Additional services at the library include:
- baby changing and toilet
- family history
- free online access to Ancestry.com, Find My Past, the British Newspaper Archive and Access to Research
- help and support using IT
- help with your blue badge application
- internet and computer access and free Wifi
- information point
- local studies
- maps
- meeting room available for hire
- photocopying, printing and scanning
- shared services with Selby District Council
- study area
- tea & coffee and free tap water refill station
Do it online
We are run by volunteers and open five times a week. You can access services online when we are closed:
- Search for, reserve and renew books and other items in the library catalogue
- Borrow e-books or digital audiobooks
- Join the library online
- View library charges and pay fines
- Access online information resources
- Read magazines, newspapers, graphic novels and comics online
History
After a public consultation exercise held between November 2014 and February 2015 North Yorkshire County Council issued their final proposals in July 2015 for the future of the library service in the County. Under these proposals, in this area, Selby library would remain a Council run library also providing professional librarian support to local community managed libraries, including Sherburn in Elmet.
The Library Steering Group consisting of concerned individuals was formed in order to create a community group to take on this responsibility. In addition the concept of a Community Hub to provide local people with access to all Parish, District and Council services as well as those provided by voluntary groups is being developed.
Sherburn in Elmet Community Trust has negotiated a 5 year lease for that part of the building needed to operate the library. A fantastic response to the appeal for volunteers has produced over 60 local people who are willing to give their time to ensure that the library continues to serve our community. The challenge of organising this large number of volunteers has been achieved enabling us to provide a seamless service since April 2017. See our volunteering page if you’re interested in helping us.
Support has been received from all of the local Parish Councils which, together with the revenue that we can generate ourselves, ensures that we are financially viable.
In September 2017 the Steering Group became the Sherburn & Villages Community Library Management Group and continues its work under the governance of Sherburn in Elmet Community Trust (SIECT). Three of its members (Paul Doherty, Karen Packham and Kevin Sibson) are Trustees of SIECT. SIECT is dedicated to continuing the development of this community asset and meeting the challenge of providing a service that will be valued by the people of Sherburn in Elmet and the local villages.