Start the Summer at Hob Moor

Sat 26 May, 1pm to 3.30pm at Hob Moor Local Nature Reserve

Join us for the first of this year’s Summer Fairs, where we have an exciting range of activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Eagles, owls and vultures will be visible in the sky over the Moor in a falconry display for all to enjoy. There will be a willow weaver, face painter, live band and lots of arts and crafts for all to have a go at, as well as a bouncy castle, a fun dog show, community stalls plus much more!

For more information please contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk. 

Big City Read 2012

Sun 20 May, 10am to 3pm at Explore York Library Learning Centre

This year the Big City Read is ‘Mystery in the Minster’ by Susanna Gregory, a murder mystery set in medieval York.  Find out what we’ve got planned for the summer and book your tickets for the events starting on 25 July.  As well as the programme you can find out more about 800 years of York’s history from our archivist at 1.30pm. Throughout the day you can also try your hand at bookbinding or palaeography.

The archivist’s talk is free but spaces are limited. Taster activities are also free.

For more information  libraries@york.gov.uk

Dust off your rackets

Every Wednesday from 2 May 2012, 10.30am to 11.30am at Rowntree Park

Join us for the latest Eng-AGE into Sport session. Whether you’re new to the sport or picking up a racket for the first time in a while, then get involved in this new, fun introduction to tennis for the over 50s.

Cost: £3.50 - limited places available

For further information or to book your place please contact Catriona Sudlow on 01904 553377 or at catriona.sudlow@york.gov.uk

York 800 and the City Archives

Thur 17 May, 7pm to 8pm at York Explore Library Learning Centre

To mark York 800, Richard Taylor, Archives Manager for City of York Council, will tell the story of the archive so far, give hands-on access to some of its treasures (from King Henry II to Mr Micawber) and ask some questions about how the archive should develop over the next 800 years.

For more information and to book a free place contact: (01904) 552828 or exploreyork@york.gov.uk  

And get connected!

Tue 15 May, 2pm to 4pm at Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre

What are facebook and twitter? How can I do more on my mobile phone? Shall I buy a laptop, a desktop computer or even a tablet? What is broadband and where does it come from?  If

you know someone who is asking these sort of questions please tell them come along to this free drop-in event.

For more information contact: (01904) 552651 or acomb.library@york.gov.uk

Get online with York Libraries

Tue 15 May, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm at Explore York Library Learning Centre

York Libraries offer some services 24/7. Explore our virtual books collection and find out how to download them to a computer or eReader at one of our free dropin sessions. Discover our online reference resources to help with many of your information needs from solving a crossword to helping with homework. New resources, Theory Test Pro and Go Citizen can help you prepare for your driving or citizenship test.

For more information contact (01904) 552828 or exploreyork@york.gov.uk

From Monks to Masons

Sat 12 and Sun 13 May at Explore York Library Learning Centre at various times during the day

Celebrate Local and Community History Month with a weekend programme of lectures delivered by new historians. Discover how York evolved to become the centre of the Christian church, explore the role of the city walls and consider the influence of  Robert Holgate in developing York into the centre of learning it is today. Talks on  “Eboracum” and Fountain’s Abbey complete the fascinating picture of Yorkshire’s past.

Cost: £5 per lecture - book four different lectures over the weekend and receive a £5 Explore York cafe voucher.

For more information and to book:  www.feelinginspired.co.uk