From Monday 21 July the Marlborough Library at Te Kahu o Waipuna in Blenheim will change its opening hours to close one hour earlier at 5pm Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours will not change.

Libraries Manager Glenn Webster said visitor numbers to Te Kahu o Waipuna had plateaued to a more sustainable level since the very high interest after the new facility opened, two years ago.

Fixed term staffing levels were introduced in December 2022 to facilitate the move to the new library with the operation now aligned to meet community demand. The change in operating hours will affect a small number of users.

Te Kahu o Waipuna’s average visitor numbers per month is 24,754. Most people visit the library between the hours of 10am and 4pm with the highest average visitor usage between the hours of 11am and midday.

“The facility is a busy, vibrant place and our team work very hard to deliver a range of services to the community including the new meeting rooms and spaces which have been very well patronaged,” Mr Webster said.

“As a community hub the facility is used by visitors in many ways. Everyday Marlborough residents visit for the first time and are very complimentary of the space. They have often come looking for specific assistance – to see a Justice of the Peace, visit the exhibition at the Marlborough Art Gallery, get directions, help with a device, looking for a particular book or to attend a meeting or event.

“It has become a meeting place, workspace, exhibition and information space – somewhere warm and inviting to sit and wait, a place to feel included and part of the community,” he said.

For the year to 30 June 2025, visitor numbers to Te Kahu o Waipuna were 297,052. There were 406,217 items issued and 2,994 (5,509 hours) of room bookings made up of commercial, community and inhouse library bookings or use.

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