How The Library Works

The Library team get to know their customers really well, ensuring they keep the shelves well stocked with a diverse selection of appealing books and resources.

Whether you are a fan of fiction or fantasy, drama or history, ‘ologies or ornithology, our team will find something to suit you.

Membership

It just takes a few minutes to sign up for a free Library Card.  Once you have a card you can borrow or return books to any of North Yorkshire’s libraries – there is no requirement to show ID or proof of address as everyone is a member of  NYLibraries.

Enjoy Books Your Way

We have a variety of formats including large print. In addition, your library card means you have online access to a huge range of books, articles, magazines and graphic novels to read on your own device via the North Yorkshire Library App. We have a volunteer Digital Champion in the library on a Monday afternoon, 12.30-3pm, who can help and support you to set up the Library app on your mobile phone or tablet and guide you through how to access what is available. Please contact us on 01765 680200 if you would like to make an appointment.

Borrowing, Returning, Renewing & Reserving

Our volunteers can help, or there is also an easy to use self-service machine in the library which can be used to borrow, return or renew books. If it’s not on the shelves, our volunteers can help you reserve books from the North Yorkshire Library Network’s huge stock – there is a small charge, currently £1.25, for reservations.  The team will let you know when your book is ready for collection – most orders take about two weeks.

Access to The Internet

If you need a quiet space to access the internet,  we have computers you can use – completely free for up to one hour per day – just ask downstairs at the front desk.

Other Special Interests

We have books and resources and activities for a range of special interests too…

Little Readers

During school term you might find that our library is full of little readers. Children from Acorns Pre-School and the local schools visit on Wednesdays over lunchtime, to take part in Storytime. If your child is between 4 and 11 years old, they can get involved in their very own Summer and Christmas Reading Challenge.

National Year of Reading “Go All In” Promotions

Throughout the year North Yorkshire Libraries promote special reading themes.  These aim to get members involved with topical books and activities aligned to these. Here are the special themes we have planned for 2026.:

• Jan 19th – Apr 12th – Adult Reading Challenge ‘Start a New Chapter’
  ‘Go All In’ with this challenge to discover or rediscover the joy that reading can bring
• Mar 5th – World Book Day
  ‘Go All In’ and spark a love of reading to help your child discover how life-changing stories can be
• Apr 13th – 24th – Under 5’s Fortnight
  Families can ‘Go All In’ and discover the magic of reading together
• May 1st – 31st – Local and Community History Month
  Encouraging communities to ‘Go All In’ to read, learn and share stories about their local area from the past
• Jul 5th – Sept 12th – Summer Reading Challenge
  All primary aged children can ‘Go All In’ and Read to the Beat!, the theme for this years challenge
• Oct (dates tbc) – Get Online Week and ‘Appy Day’
  Customers can ‘Go All In’ and explore e-books, e-audiobooks and our other digital resources
• Nov 16th – 22nd – Self-Care Week
  Customers can ‘Go All In’ this week and discover the powerful wellbeing of reading

Keep in touch with special themes by signing up to our Community eNewsletter or following our Community Facebook page.

Local History

The Library has a range of hard copy records that have been collated from various sources including the North Yorkshire Council and Masham History Society.  There is an extensive history area in the library containing books and pamphlets that provide a glimpse into the lives of Masham past residents.  There is also the Parish Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths and specific details on St Mary’s graveyard.

Please feel free to call in and take a look – see if you can spot a familiar face or story among the contents!  Please note that this reference material cannot be borrowed.

The local history material is often consulted by locals, but summer brings with it a raft of visitors wondering if they can trace their great grandfather, or look up a family name in the parish registers.

Mental Health Resources

The Library stock the ‘Reading Well’ series of books which deal with a range of issues including depression, anxiety & dementia etc. These are an approved series written by qualified practitioners.

To supplement these we also have two different Wellbeing Bags – one aimed at adults and one at teenagers.  These can be borrowed without charge on your library card.  They have a collection of resources designed to help reduce anxiety, aid relaxation and mindfulness.  Please ask a library volunteer if you’d like to borrow one of these.

If you find that you need further support – then why not book an appointment with MIND, the mental health charity, who run weekly outreach sessions in the Community Hub.  Check out the next sessions below.

Find MIND Sessions

Junior Library

Our dedicated Team of library volunteers understand how important books are for children and those who care for them.

There’s a cosy children’s corner where you can all grab a cushion, relax and have a browse.

It’s free to join and Junior Members don’t pay fees for ordering books we don’t have in stock.

• Does your little one like you to read the same story over and over again?
• Did your child love books as a toddler but now sees them as more school?
• Is your pre-teen working their way through the ‘Treehouse’ series and costing you a fortune?

If you need inspiration on how to encourage more ‘screen-free’ time?  Why not come up to the library and see how we can help.

• We have a great selection from Board Books for babies and toddlers to Teenage Fiction, Graphic Novels and Non-Fiction.
• Your little one is welcome to join Buzzy Bees and maybe get a sticker or two.
• For older children there are the Reading Challenges during the Summer and at Christmas. With rewards to collect and a certificate at the end.

We look forward to welcoming you and showing you what we have on offer.