Why our town library stays open late

Presented to

The Saltmere Town Council, regular meeting

Presented by

Saltmere Public Library

Hours in question

Weekdays, 5 pm to 9 pm

In six slides

Who comes, what it costs, what we ask

01 / 06

The evening, in one number

38%

of all visits happen after 5 pm.

Last year, 61,400 visits through our doors. More than 23,000 of them came once the working day was over.

02 / 06

Who the late hours are for

Three people you would not find at noon.

1The shift workerFinishes at the cannery at 5:30 and borrows for the week ahead.

2The studentNo quiet table at home. Study room 2 is booked solid until closing.

3The job seekerFree computers and a printer, after the interview day is done.

03 / 06

Visits by time of day

The busiest hour is 6 pm, not 11 am.

9–11 am

9,800

11–1 pm

12,100

1–3 pm

8,300

3–5 pm

9,800

5–7 pm

17,000

7–9 pm

6,100

Figures are from our door counter, September 2025 to August 2026.

04 / 06

“

It is the only hour of my day that belongs to me and is warm and quiet.

A regular, evening desk survey
Saltmere Public Library, 2026

05 / 06

What we ask of Council

Keep the lights on until nine.

Annual cost

$18,200

Per evening visit

$0.79

Decision needed

By 15 December

06 / 06