Open Plus: Winning Success, Earlier Access
Early birds, this announcement is one you will appreciate. Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) is extending Open Plus hours. Starting from Monday 4 May, Open Plus access will be available from 6am through to 11pm daily. This is a 6-month trial, and we will be seeking feedback at the end of that period to understand what works for our community and our teams.
Whether you are fitting in study before work, enjoying a quiet morning read, or making the most of your day, Te Āhuru Mōwai is ready when you are.
The change reflects strong community uptake of unstaffed after-hours access at times that suit them, and reinforces our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our community.
Lyn Daly, General Manager – Community, says the extension is a natural next step: “We are incredibly proud of how our community has embraced after-hours access. Winning the ALGIM Project of the Year – Customer Experience Award for After Hours Access recognises the success of Open Plus and extending the hours allows us to continue improving access in a way that works for people’s lives.”
At the same time, the start time for staffed opening hours on Tuesdays will change to10am. Opening hours on Monday and Wednesday through to Saturday will remain at 9.30am.
A special event was held on Friday, 10 April for After Hours users, where Mayor Michael Ford and Lyn Daly spoke about the prestigious award recently received and highlighted the significant impact After Hours access has had on many members of the community. The success of After Hours access reflects a collaborative effort between Manawatū Community Hub Libraries / Manawatū District Council, emergency services, delivery partners, and the wider Manawatū District.
Open Plus is a free service available to everyone in the Manawatū community, providing secure, self-service access to the hub outside of staffed hours. Signing up is as simple as bringing your MCHL membership card and a form of ID to the front counter, and registration takes around 15 minutes. The community is encouraged to take advantage of Open Plus and enjoy extended access.
For more information visit: Open Plus | Manawatū Community Hub Libraries
Warrick Taylor, MCHL Digital Specialist is holding the ALGIM Project of the Year – Customer Experience Award and framed certificate received by MCHL.