Blueskin Bay Library

The first Waitati Library was opened in the local school in 1867 with money raised by the Blueskin Mutual Improvement and Debating Society (MIDS). The school was some distance from the village, so it was proposed that an alternative, more convenient, home for the library be found. The Atheneum Trust planned a Mechanic's Institute and Reading Room, and acquired some land in preparation. By 1903 the MIDS had raised sufficient funds to build a little wooden library in Pitt Street (pictured). The books were finally moved in to the library in 1905, after some initial concerns about the fire risk of a wooden building. 

After the Waitati community hall was opened in 1971, work started on revitalising the Waitati Library. In 1973, after the Library was moved to the dressing room of the community hall, the first Waitati Librarian, Lorraine Jolly, was appointed.

In 1991 the name was changed to Blueskin Bay Library, to reflect its use by the wider community. The Library was extended in 1992 with funding from the Lottery Grants Board. The Waitati Militia were present at the opening of the newly-extended library - they fired a canon loaded with Mills and Boon paperbacks! 

A milestone was reached on Saturday May 4 2013 with the official opening of the new Blueskin Bay Community Complex. The opening ceremonies began at 9.00am with a Whakawatea or blessing conducted by Te Whanau Arohanui o Waitati at the request of Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki. This was followed by the official opening at 10.00am with approximately 150 people in attendance. Following speeches by David Ellison, Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki, Stuart Strachan, Blueskin Bay Library Redevelopment Trust, Gerard Collings, Waikouaiti Coast Community Board and Bernie Hawke of Dunedin Public Libraries, His Worship the Mayor Dave Cull made a short speech, unveiled the plaque and cut the ribbon across the door of the new complex.

The new building includes community space  and a meeting room as well as a new Library. The project represents a partnership between the Dunedin City Council who first included $500,000 for the replacement of the Blueskin Bay Library in the 2008/09 Annual Plan and the Blueskin Bay Library Redevelopment Trust who has raised over $330,000 towards the new building over 2 years.