🌟 April at Queenstown Lakes Libraries

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Kia ora!

Welcome to our Āperira | April 2026 newsletter.

Library Noticeboard

Upcoming library opening times for ANZAC Day

We will have a change in our library hours due to the ANZAC Day commemorations. Please note our extended hours and closing days.

Wednesday 22 April: Operating extended opening hours at Frankton, Queenstown and Wānaka branches (9am-7pm)
Thursday 23 April: Operating our usual extended Thursday opening hours at Frankton, Queenstown and Wānaka branches (9am-7pm)
Friday 24 April: Normal branch opening times apply
Saturday 25 April: All branches closed to commemorate ANZAC Day
Sunday 26 April: All branches closed (as usual)
Monday 27 April: All branches closed to commemorate ANZAC Day (observed)

Library Pop-ups

You may have seen our library pop-ups out and about in March for Sign-up Month. We loved chatting to current library members and giving you a sneak peak at some of the new items coming soon to our collections. We also signed up 441 new library members. Haere mai! We're so happy you've joined us!

Wānaka Library: New shelving to be installed

We're having some new shelving installed in the children's area at Wānaka Library in April to increase space for our children's collection. There may be some minor disruption during the installation.

Reminder: New printing process

If you're used to emailing print jobs to our library printers, please take a moment to read this notice. We changed our printers at the beginning of the year, so the old printcolour@qldc.govt.nz email address will no longer work. Please remove this address from your email address book.

Instead, you can email print jobs to print@qldc.govt.nz. We can then set black and white/colour printing options when you come in to release the print job with your code.

Discover our Karawhiua Collection!

We're excited to launch our Karawhiua (Library of Things) Collection, which provides equitable access to shared resources that support literacy, lifelong learning, wellbeing, and practical skills in our community.

Our Karawhiua Collection includes Home Energy Audit Toolkits, Stargazing Kits, coding robots and Kobo eReaders. You can browse the full range in our library catalogue.

We're proud to join other libraries across the motu in providing access to shared resources that give everyone an equal chance to learn, create, fix, and explore – without the financial pressure. Visit your local library to see what you can borrow today or come along to a Karawhiua Demo Drop-in!

Karawhiua Collection Demo Drop-ins

Drop-in to take a look at items from our Karawhiua Collection. No bookings needed.

Wānaka Library | Tuesday 14 April, 10-11.30am
Frankton Library | Wednesday 15 April, 11.30am-1pm
Queenstown Library | Tuesday 21 April, 4-5pm
Hāwea Library | Wednesday 22 April, 3-4.30pm
Queenstown Events Centre | Wednesday 22 April, 4-5pm
Wānaka Rec Centre | Thursday 30 April, 3-4.30pm

Comic books, graphic novels and manga - it all counts as reading!

Lots of people are visual learners and process stories better when there are images or graphics to go with them. And sometimes you just don't have the capacity for a text-heavy tome. This is where graphic novels, comic books and manga really come into their own. And they definitely still count as reading!

We have a wide variety of physical copies available in our library branches for readers of all ages. We also have lots of digital copies, available with your library card on ComicsPlus, Libby, and Borrowbox.

Browse and borrow a graphic novel, comic or manga today.

Dazzlehands competition

The Dazzlehands art competition is over and boy oh boy did we have a lot of amazing entries. The competition invited children to tell us why they love the library — and the submissions were truly unmatched!

The coolest part was seeing why children and their families LOVE the library. From books and board games, to petting and reading to doggies, to the friendly staff, there are a multitude of reasons to LOVE our libraries!

Congratulations to Sophia and Ezra, Amelia and Rafaela! We hope you enjoyed the Royal New Zealand performance of Dazzlehands.

Bookmark contest

To celebrate Queenstown Library’s 150th anniversary, we’re inviting artists of all ages to design a bookmark on this year’s theme: Libraries take you on Adventures

Pick up your entry form in your local library branch from 1 April or download and print one from our website. Entries are due by 15 May 2026.

New magazines

OYLA Magazine is a science and technology publication for readers aged 12 and up. It features engaging articles, interactive content, and stunning visuals designed to inspire curiosity and a love for learning. Ideal for young minds eager to explore and understand the world around them.

This title is available in physical copy and as an eMagazine via Libby.

Together Journal is a modern, design-led wedding and lifestyle magazine, published quarterly.
Showcasing refined weddings and events from around the globe, it weaves in elevated lifestyle content spanning travel, fashion, beauty, flora, and design. Available in physical copy.

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 ferryman and his wife by Frode Grytten

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!

A hymn to life : shame has to change sides by Gisele Pelicot

The blood says otherwise : murder, forensics and hidden truths by Ruben Miller

Homeschooled : a memoir by Stefan Merrill Block

Live like Wes: Home decor inspired by Wes Anderson movies by Jessie Atkinson

How will I ever get through this? by Lucy Hone

Mending with sashiko : the Japanese art of visible repair by Takao Momiyama

Contemporary blacksmithing for beginners by Joy Fire

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.

How to explain climate science to a grown up by Ruth Spiro

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.

The ADHD teen survival guide by Soli Lazarus

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

School Holiday Programme

For our April school holidays, let's get inspired by book characters!

In additional to book-inspired crafts, we're hosting St John for children's first aid skills workshops, and cartoon drawing workshops with Brent Harpur.

Check out the full programme on our website.

See you at the Arrowtown Autumn Festival Parade

We are excited to meet the community and join the parade at the Arrowtown Autumn Festival on Saturday 18 April, 2-3pm. Show your local librarians some love when you see them walking down Buckingham Street!