Libraries and Post Offices in North Yorkshire: Opening Hours by Town
Council-published library hours and addresses for Harrogate, Scarborough, Skipton, Ripon, Whitby, Northallerton, Selby and Malton, and how to find your nearest Post Office.
North Yorkshire Council runs the county's library service, with a page for every branch showing its address, phone number and opening hours. Hours differ widely and some libraries close for a whole weekday, so check the branch page before you travel. This guide lists hours for Harrogate, Scarborough, Skipton, Ripon, Whitby, Northallerton, Selby and Malton.
Who runs the libraries?
North Yorkshire Council runs the county's library service, and its list includes both council libraries and branches described as community libraries. Its libraries pages cover the catalogue, ebooks and e-magazines, computers, children's services, a home library service, mobile library and room hire. The local libraries list has a page for every branch with an address, phone number and opening hours. Hours differ widely and some libraries close for a whole weekday, so check before you travel.
The council says books are usually loaned free, while items such as CDs and DVDs can be borrowed for a small charge; see its charges and fines page.
Library hours town by town
The times below are as published on each library's council page when this guide was written. They can change; the linked page is the authority.
Harrogate library, Victoria Avenue, HG1 1EG (council page). Monday to Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm, Sunday closed. Phone 01609 536658. The page says pay and display parking is available for up to two hours on Victoria Avenue and up to three hours on Raglan Street, and that the bus and railway stations are a few minutes' walk away.
Scarborough library, Vernon Road, YO11 2NN (council page). Monday to Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5.30pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm, Sunday closed. Phone 01609 536602. The page describes these as the hours introduced from 28 April 2025.
Skipton library, High Street, BD23 1JX (council page). Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30am to 7pm, Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1.30pm, Tuesday and Sunday closed. Phone 01609 534548. The page notes the library is opposite the Town Hall and that the bus station and train station are each about a ten-minute walk.
Ripon library, The Arcade, HG4 1AG (council page). Monday 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm, Sunday closed. Phone 01609 536623. It is next to the bus station.
Whitby library, Windsor Terrace, YO21 1EY (council page). Monday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm, Wednesday and Sunday closed. Phone 01609 534350.
Northallerton library, 1 Thirsk Road, DL6 1PT (council page). Monday and Wednesday 9.30am to 6pm, Tuesday and Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Thursday 1pm to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1.30pm, Sunday closed. Phone 01609 533832. The page says there is no parking at the library, with two disabled spaces at the rear.
Selby library, 52 Micklegate, YO8 4EQ (council page). Monday 9.30am to 7.30pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm, Thursday 9.30am to 12.30pm, Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm, Sunday closed. It is next to the Micklegate pay and display car park.
Malton library, St Michael Street, YO17 7LJ (council page). Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Tuesday 9.30am to 7pm, Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm, Thursday and Sunday closed. The page says renewals can also be made by an automated phone line on 01609 534565.
Other libraries nearby
The list also includes community libraries in places such as Bedale, Boroughbridge, Easingwold, Filey, Eastfield, Grassington and Great Ayton, and a mobile library that visits locations across the county. Use the local libraries list for those.
Post offices
Post Office opening hours change and there is no council-maintained list. Use the Post Office's own branch finder to find your nearest branch and its hours. One practical point from the council: the Council Tax payment page says you can pay at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet with a bill that has a barcode, and that Post Offices accept cash, cheques and cards up to a value of £999.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the opening hours of Harrogate library?
- The council lists Monday to Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm and closed Sunday. It is on Victoria Avenue, HG1 1EG.
- Is Skipton library open on a Tuesday?
- No, the council lists Skipton library as closed on Tuesday and Sunday. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30am to 7pm, Friday 9.30am to 5pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1.30pm.
- Which library closes for a whole weekday in North Yorkshire?
- Whitby library is closed on Wednesday and Sunday, and Malton library is closed on Thursday and Sunday, according to their council pages. Check each branch page for current hours.
- Where is Scarborough library and when is it open?
- It is on Vernon Road, YO11 2NN. The council lists Monday to Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5.30pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm and closed Sunday.
- Can I borrow books for free from North Yorkshire libraries?
- The council says books are usually loaned free, while items such as CDs and DVDs can be borrowed for a small charge. Its charges and fines page has the details.
- How do I find a post office in Selby or Northallerton?
- The guide does not list Post Office branches because hours change and there is no council-maintained list. Use the Post Office's own branch finder to find your nearest branch and its hours.
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