Visiting York Minster Library and Archives

Opening times

Monday to Thursday: 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm

Lunchtimes, Fridays, weekends and Bank Holidays: closed

Details of our Library and Archives’ Christmas closure are published on the University of York’s York Minster Library webpage.

You may visit without an appointment to browse or borrow books printed after 1850, use the Reading Room as a quiet study space and view a selection of historic items on display.

You will need to make an advance appointment to see material from Library Special Collections or archives and manuscripts (see booking details below).

Location and access

The Library and Archives are located in the Old Palace, behind York Minster, across Dean’s Park.

The Old Palace
Dean’s Park
York
YO1 7JQ

View on map

See our Plan Your Visit page for information about getting here and our precinct map for further details.

At the Old Palace, please use the intercom to the left of the door to gain access as the door will be locked.

If you have physical access requirements, please contact us in advance of your visit so that we can discuss options and seek to assist you. Level access to the building and a lift to the Reading Room, which is on the first floor, are available on request.

Enquiries: email collections@yorkminster.org / telephone +44 (0)1904 557250

Discovering our collections

We have nearly 40,000 books printed after 1850, including histories of York and York Minster that you are welcome to browse without any charge or appointment.

You can also request items from our archive and manuscript collections or from the extensive Special Collections section of our library (all books printed before 1801, as well as the Yorkshire Collection). You will need to book an advance appointment for this material: please see booking information, below.

You can search for items before you visit:

Search for specific books or general subjects by using the University of York catalogue and applying the filter for “York Minster Library” to your results.
Search our archive, manuscript and object collections, by using our own online catalogue.

Booking an appointment

Appointments are available Monday to Wednesday, 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. There are no appointments on Thursdays or Fridays.

You must make a prior appointment to see material from Library Special Collections or archives and manuscripts (retrieval of items is not possible without advance notice).

You can do this by emailing us directly at collections@yorkminster.org with details of your request and dates of availability. You should give at least a week’s notice for archive and manuscript requests, and a full working days’ notice for library material.

If you are able to visit but unable to find what you are looking for in the catalogues, please let us know at collections@yorkminster.org and we may recommend that you book an appointment to consult some of our paper catalogues that have not been added to the online catalogues yet.

You should limit your requests to 6 items per session (i.e. up to 12 items if you wish to book both morning and afternoon appointments).

We will confirm your booking by email within two working days. There will be a fee to access archives and manuscripts for visitors outside of the University of York (£10.50 for general visitors, payable by card on arrival: reduced fees for external students apply).

What to expect on your visit

Research room guidelines will apply for the security of the collections: you will be asked, for example, to leave coats and bags in a locker on arrival, and only take pencils, paper and electronic devices into the Reading Room
Photography is permitted in the Reading Room, but you must purchase a day permit from a member of staff on duty (£10.00)
The Eduroam wifi network is available in the Reading Room for members of participating universities (including University of York). Unfortunately, we are currently unable to offer public wifi for other visitors
University of York staff and students: the Minster Library does not have bookable IT or printing facilities. Photography charges still apply but borrowing is free
Non-University library members will be able to arrange loan collection and returns by email
The historic Old Library room is used for learning and other events but is not generally accessible to visitors: the books there are retrieved to be used in the Reading Room with an appointment