🌟 March at Queenstown Lakes Libraries

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Kia ora!

Welcome to our Maehe | March 2026 newsletter.

Library Noticeboard

Upcoming library closure: Otago Anniversay Day

All of our library branches will be closed on Monday 23 March in acknowledgement of Otago Anniversary Day.

Meet us at upcoming community events

We’d love to see you and talk about books, upcoming programmes, and all the services your library offers. If you’re not a member yet, we can help you join - it only takes a few minutes.

Wednesday 4 March: SummerDaze at Makarora, 2.30-4pm
Sunday 8 March: SummerDaze at Hāwea Domain, 1-4pm
Friday 13 March: Kingston Seniors Meet up at St Johns, 12-2pm
Friday and Saturday 13 and 14 March: Wānaka A&P Show
Monday 16 March: Dementia Matewareware Homeshare at the Country Club, 10.30am-1pm
Friday 27 March: Wakatipu Senior Citizens Association, 1-2pm

Spotlight on: Libraries in the community

Queenstown Lakes Libraries are more than just buildings with books.

We’re trusted, free community spaces where everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has access to reading, digital resources, learning opportunities, and supportive places to explore, connect, learn and thrive.

In celebration of Library Sign-up Month, we're shining a spotlight on the ways libraries support our communities. We'd love to encourage you to spread the word about libraries so more people in our community can benefit by signing up for library membership!

Here are a few ways we support our communities through the services we offer:

Our collections support sustainable values across our district. The library’s Sustainability Collection features inspiring books on sustainable living, along with practical items like litter-picking kits which support local efforts to keep our neighbourhoods looking their best.
We provide digital learning platforms where you can learn crafts and find free patterns/instructions (Creativebug), or learn languages (Mango Languages) which can help you connect with others.
We host and partner with local community groups who want to share their knowledge and skills, such as our harakeke weaving workshops with community planting groups.
Our events and programmes cater to all ages and interests, from learning to explore the digital world safely and confidently, to having a chat about your favourite new book, or hanging out with other parents while your children listen to stories or play LEGO™ together.
We provide spaces where you can sit and work or study, with free wifi and public computers available for use.

Even if these services aren't something you're interested in or need right now, we reckon it's good to know they're available in case you or your friends, family or co-workers do need them. Thank you for being a member and spreading the word!

Have your say:

Digital Resources Survey

Explore the 19 different digital resources available through your library membership.

Our digital resources are an important part of our library service, enabling us to deliver accessible and equitable 24/7 access to trusted sources of information, literacy services, and lifelong learning in a wide variety of subjects to our diverse community in the Queenstown Lakes District.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the digital resources we provide via our Digital Resources Survey, which will run until Sunday 29 March 2026.

Your feedback will help us to make decisions about the digital resources we provide in the future. Thank you in advance for participating!

You can find a full list of the digital resources we offer on our website.

Family fun for library members

Dazzlehands competition

Tell us why you love the library and you could win four tickets to Dazzlehands, a ballet performance by the Royal NZ Ballet based on the beloved children’s book. Entries close March 20.

For more information visit our website or pop into your local branch.

1/2 price hydroslide offer

To celebrate Library Sign-up Month this March, Alpine Aqualand are offering library members ½ price entry to their hydroslide – just present your Queenstown Lakes Libraries card. Ts and Cs apply.

Summer Reading Challenge round-up

Our nature-inspired 2025/26 Summer Reading Challenge 'Forest Quest' launched in December and came to an end in February as kids returned to school.

The Forest Quest Reading Challenge saw 570 children across the district participate, with over 1,360 intentional visits to the library and close to 4,000 books read! Mīharo, amazing!

We partnered with with the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust, and Te Kākano to bring you this challenge. Together, we created sets of playing cards depicting trees endemic to our region to give out as prizes to encourage reading. We had lots of lovely feedback from the challenge, both because it's a proven way of keeping up your kids' literacy during the holidays, and because the prizes gave families lovely opportunities to play together and learn about our local native fauna. It's a win-win for reading and environmental awareness!

New Fiction

Click on the book cover to place a hold on these new title in our library catalogue. If you're having problems placing a hold on any new books, ask your local library team to help you!

The Irish goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill

New Non Fiction

Click on the book cover to place a hold on these new title in our library catalogue. If you're having problems placing a hold on any new books, ask your local library team to help you!

Men's Health for Dummies by Christine Adamec

The state of Māori rights by Margaret Mutu

I deliver parcels in Beijing by Hu Anyan

Children's Staff Picks

Each month, our passionate children's librarians handpick the most delightful, heartwarming, and engaging books for young readers. Find the full selection of Children's Staff Picks on our blog.

Sleep tight, disgusting blob by Huw Aaron

Create your own camping activities by Laura Baker

Young Adult Staff Picks

Each month, our passionate librarians handpick captivating and inspiring reads just for young adults. Find the full selection of Young Adult Staff Picks on our blog.

What's on at the library

To keep up to date with all of our events and activities, check our What's On webpage, follow us on social media, and keep an eye out for event posters and flyers when you're next in the library.

Event highlights

Itty, Bitty, Titchy Writing Workshop

Discover the world of micro-fiction with Stephanie Fieldsend. Free, bookings required.

Wānaka Library | Thursday 12 March, 5.30-6.30pm

Author Talk: Dr. Frances Pitsilis

Hear high-profile medical doctor and author, Dr. Frances Pitsilis, talk about her book Well Woman. Free, bookings required.

Wānaka Library | Thursday 26 March, 5.30-6.30pm

Queenstown Library | Saturday 28 March, 3-4pm

Finding your voice: A music kōrero with Emma G and Margaret O’Hanlon

Join us for a music kōrero exploring how music and songwriting can help you find your voice, support mental wellbeing, and reconnect with yourself — whether you’re a singer or not.

Frankton Library | Friday 27 March, 6-7pm

Free, bookings required.