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Kia ora!
Welcome to our Ōketopa | October 2026 newsletter. 
Library noticeboard
Libraries closed on Labour Day
All library branches will be closed on Monday 26 October to observe the Labour Day public holiday.
 
Wānaka Seed Library
Did you know we have a community seed library at Wānaka Library? If you would like to grow something, come along and take a look at what's available. If you have too many seeds, why not add them to the seed library and share with the community? The seed library is looked after by our lovely volunteers.
We're also looking at creating seed libraries at Queenstown and Hāwea library branches. Let your local librarians know if you're keen on this idea!
Queenstown Library 150 Years Grand Celebration
Save the date: Queenstown Library 150 Years Grand Celebration
We’re delighted to be celebrating 150 years of library services across the district. Te Whare Pukapuka o Tāhuna | Queenstown Library will be hosting a special community celebration, and we’d love for you to join us.
Date: Saturday, 28 November 2026
Time: 10am–2pm
Did you know?
You've been very busy reading this winter! Your Top 5 Adult non-fiction titles between 1 June - 31 August were:
  1. Everything but the medicine, Lucy O'Hagan
  2. The let them theory by Mel Robbins
  3. A different kind of power by Jacinda Ardern
  4. Atomic habits by James Clear
  5. The bookseller at the end of the world by Ruth Shaw
  6. Did I ever tell you this by Sam Neill
  7. Mother Mary comes to me by Arundhati Roy
  8. The Hollows boys by Peta Carey
  9. A hymn to life by Gisèle Pelicot
  10. RecipeTin Eats dinner by Nagi Maehashi
See something you like? Lots of these titles are available now in print, large print, digital, and audio formats. Take a look now on our library catalogue!
Thinking about starting a business?
Startup Queenstown Lakes partnership with Queenstown Lakes Libraries
Every business starts with an idea, and sometimes the right book can help take it further. This year, Queenstown Lakes Libraries have a new selection of books for exactly that, books on building a business, thinking differently, and turning an idea into something real. They've arrived alongside a new partner, Startup Queenstown Lakes, a local community for people building businesses right here in our district.  
 
It’s a fantastic collaboration. Libraries and Start Up Queenstown Lakes are both helping people in this district build skills and capability by connecting them with reliable knowledge and resources.  
 
The shelves are stocked, physically, and digitally. Come have a look next time you're in or browse our catalogue online.  
 
Resources for dyslexic readers
Resources for dyslexic readers
Did you know that we offer dyslexia-friendly books for readers of all ages? And that you can customise your reading experience on our eBook apps to make them dyslexia-friendly?
Learn more about our resources for dyslexic readers
Staff picks for gardeners and plant-lovers
Spring is the perfect time to learn more about plants, gardens and growing. Perhaps you'll even be inspired to plant some seeds in your garden, or grow some indoor container plants. Take a look at our favourite books and magazines for gardening, available to borrow from the library!
View more gardening-themed staff picks
How to grow the flowers by Marianne Mogendorff
Homegrown happiness by Elien Lewis
Let's go native by Guy Hessell
Online gardening courses on UniversalClass
Online gardening courses on UniversalClass
Inspired to grow something this spring? Take a look at the self-paced online gardening courses available on UniversalClass, free to all library members! Courses include: 
  • Introduction to gardening
  • Vegetable gardening 101
  • Basic gardening and plant care
  • Floral arrangement 101
  • Landscaping 101
  • Wings and blooms: Create perfect butterfly gardens
Access UniversalClass

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!
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
Children of the wild by Kevin Powers
Little wonder by Sophie Chen Keller
A notion once again
I want you to be happy by Jem Calder
The amateur by Chris Bohjalian
 

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!
 
Captain Cook and the unsettled afterlives of empire by Tony Ballantyne
The Branches by Poppie Johnson
The village on the edge of the world by Herta Muller
How to raise and emotionally mature child by Lindsay Gibson
Cake picnic by Eliza Sunga
A bushman's book of yarns by Sam Gibson

Parenting Book Recommendations

We asked Kirsten, a local mum who is passionate about connecting parents and sharing resources, to recommend some of her top parenting books.
Borrow Kirsten's recommendations
What were you thinking by Nathan Wallis
The anxious generation by Jonathan Haidt
The amazing generation by Jonathan Haidt

Staff picks: Children's collection
Titiro = Look by Gavin Bishop

Each month our passionate children's librarians handpick the most delightful, heartwarming, and engaging books for young readers.
Find more children's recommendations on our blog

Staff picks: Young Adult collection

Each month, our passionate librarians handpick captivating and inspiring reads just for you. 
Find more young adult recommendations on our blog
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Welcome to sex by Melissa Kang
The maze runner by James Dashner

What's on at the library

To keep up to date with events and activities across all library branches, 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
Join us as we explore “olde time crafts” to celebrate 150 years of Queenstown Lakes Libraries.
Bookings are required for most of our School Holiday Programme events.
School Holiday Programme events
Mental Health Awareness Week
12-18 October is Mental Health Awareness Week, with various events being held across our libraries.
Mental Health Awareness Month events
Regular events at your local library
World Postcard Day, Frankton Library | Saturday 3 October, 11am-1pm
Hāwea Knitters, Hāwea Library | Tuesdays, 12-2.45pm
Harakeke Weaving Workshop, Queenstown Library | Thursday 22 October, 5.30-7pm
Repair and Revive: Sewing workshop, Frankton Library | Saturday 24 October, 11am-1pm
Origami Club, Frankton Library | Saturday 31 October, 1-3pm
Whenu ki te whenua exhibition, Frankton Library | Monday 19 October - Saturday 31 October
 
Queer Quarterly Reads, Wānaka Library | Thursday 22 October, 5.30-6.30pm
Teen Book Club, Wānaka Library | Wednesday 28 October, 4-5pm
Queenstown Library Book Club | Thursday 29 October, 5.30-6.30pm
Wānaka Library Book Club | Friday 30 October, 10-11am
 
Digital Help, Wānaka Library | Every Monday, 3.30-5pm
Digital Help, Hāwea Library | Every Wednesday, 11am-12pm
Digital Help, Arrowtown Library | Every Thursday, 10am-12pm
Digital Help, Queenstown Library | Every Thursday, 11am-12.30pm
Digital Help, Frankton Library | Every Friday, 10-11.30am 
Introduction to AI and ChatGPT, St Johns Room Kingston | Wednesday 14 October, 11.30am-1pm
Digital Help, Kingston Library | Wednesday 14 October, 3.30-4.30pm
Digital Help, Glenorchy Library | Wednesday 28 October, 2.30-3.30pm
 
Social English, Queenstown Library | Thursday 1 October, 5.30-6.30pm
Social English, Wānaka Library | Every Monday from 12 October, 10-11am
Social English, Frankton Library | Thursday 15 October, 5.30-6.30pm
Kapa Kōrero – Te Reo Māori Conversation Group, Wānaka Library | Every Friday, 12.30-1.30pm
 
Screenwriting Group, Queenstown Library | Thursday 1 October, 5.30-6.30pm
Check out what's on across our libraries
 

Kupu o te Marama |
Word of the Month
Pānui pukapuka | Reading
 
 

NZ Sign Language 

This is the NZ Sign Language motion for 

Pānui pukapuka  | Reading
This is the NZ Sign Language motion for  Pānui pukapuka  | Reading

Kā mihi,
- Your Libraries Team.

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