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Library services and opening times over the winter break

Posted on 28 November 2022

As the festive season approaches here is some key library information you need to be aware of, including closure dates and the last day for requesting items.

Library loans

We will be adjusting loan and recall lengths over the festive period soon. This will allow you more time with items, and a longer period for returning them. However our flexible loan policy is all year round - this means that someone could request a book you have and you need to return it by a certain date. Please be aware of this if you are leaving York over the festive season. If you don’t plan on using the books, please return them before you leave so someone else can use them.

If you do require them, please keep in mind that they could possibly be requested. We strongly encourage you to take the books away with you wherever you go, so if they are requested you can send them back using our free postal return services. (If you are using the international return form please note you will be reimbursed in January 2023).

Postal requests and returns

Our book takeaway and postal return services are still running - we recommend using the book takeaway service if you are away from the York area and require items, or need to return any, over the festive break.

Due to the current situation with both national and international postal services we recommend placing book takeaway requests for items by Monday 12 December. Any requests placed after this date will not be processed until full services resume in January.

If you are concerned about late returns of overdue or recalled we take the date of the post mark as the official return day. Items will only be returned from your account once they have been processed - please note that there may be a delay in processing until full services resume in January.

Book delivery and hold shelf collections

The last day for requesting Book Delivery Service requests will be 12pm on Thursday 22 December. This will ensure books are transferred to the alternate library before service closures.

  • If you request any books for collection from Kings Manor Library please ensure they are collected from the Kings Manor hold shelf by 2pm on Friday 23 December.
  • Items on the JBM hold shelf can be collected and issued during self-service hours.
  • Please note that Interlending items cannot be loaned during self-service hours. Essential interlending items should be collected by 

Christmas services and closure dates

  • All library buildings and services will be open as normal until Friday 23 December. Please note that IT support is subject to change - we recommend checking IT webpages and social media.
  • The JBM helpdesk and chat/email services will be closed from Saturday 24 December until Tuesday 3 January. Kings Manor Library will also be closed during this period.
  • The main library will be open from 8am - 4pm on Saturday 24 December as self service only. The buildings will then be closed until Tuesday 27 December.
  • Between Tuesday 27 December to Friday 30 December, the main library will be open from 8am-midnight as self service only.
  • On Saturday 31 December, the main library will be open from 8am-4pm as self-service only.
  • The library will be closed all day on Sunday 1 January 2023, and will reopen at 8am on Monday 2 January as self service only.
  • From Tuesday 3 January all library buildings and services will reopen under normal opening hours.

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