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Today we are open from
First admission
9:30 amLast admission
3:30 pmTicket prices range from £13 to £28.
AdmissionsSee our What's On section for upcoming services and events
What's onVisiting York Minster.
VisitThe Library & Archives will be closed for Christmas and New Year from Thursday 21 December to Friday 5 January.
We reopen on Monday 8 January 2024 at 9.30am.
Please note that we are also closed during the morning of Thursday 14 December for staff training (opening 1.30 – 4.30 only).
Monday – Thursday: 09.30am – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Lunchtimes, Fridays, weekends and Bank Holidays: closed
You may visit without appointment to browse or borrow books, use the Reading Room as a quiet study space and view a selection of historic books on display.
Appointments for Special Collections and Archives
Monday – Wednesday: 09.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 4.30pm
No appointments on Thursdays or Fridays.
You must make a prior appointment to see material from Library Special Collections or Archives (retrieval of items is not possible without advance notice).
The Library and Archives are located in the Old Palace, behind York Minster, across Dean’s Park.
Enquiries email collections@yorkminster.org or telephone (01904) 557250.
Booking an appointment
If you already know which item or items you require then you can book directly using our online form:
You should limit your requests to 6 items per session (i.e. up to 12 items if you have booked two appointments). You will receive an automated response initially, and staff will confirm your booking by email within two working days. There will be a fee to access archival resources for visitors outside of the University of York (£10.50 for general visitors, payable by card on arrival: reduced fees for external students apply).
Discovering our collections
You can search for library items via YorSearch the University of York catalogue.
Much of our collection of archives and artefacts is searchable via our own online catalogue. If you are able to visit but unable to find what you are looking for in the catalogue, 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 catalogue yet.
Research room guidelines will apply for the security of the collection: 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)
Two Wifi networks are available: Eduroam for members of participating universities (including University of York) and CityConnect which is available to all
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
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