To the Honourable Brendan Maguire
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

May 25, 2026

RE: Open Letter Regarding Funding for School Librarians

Dear Minister Maguire,

The Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) represents library workers and supporters across the Atlantic region, all of whom believe that school librarians are critically important to student success in primary and secondary institutions. I am writing on their behalf to acknowledge the immediate relief offered by the new agreement between the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE), and to echo the request that the province Department “commit to replacing any funding for Halifax school librarians” (Ryan, 2026).

The direct link between school libraries and student achievement cannot be refuted. Decades of research has documented the positive correlation between school libraries and student achievement under the direction of qualified staff.1 Moreover, school librarians are leading the charge in realigning the library to anticipate the learning needs of today’s K-12 students. These highly qualified professionals are uniquely positioned to support students, faculty, and administrators as they navigate the intersection of information, technology, and experiential learning and lay the foundation for responsible digital citizenship. Without a school librarian, the library learning commons is just another room in the building.

In March of this year, we wrote to Premier Houston to express our concern with proposed budget cuts, but received no response. We did, however, receive a response from the office of the Honourable Becky Durham acknowledging our advocacy efforts. While the Minister of Community, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage stated at the time that “library funding was not cut,” we are about to witness the impact of reduced funding on the learning experiences of our children and their continued success in primary and secondary education. We cannot let this happen.

Thank you for acknowledging the “great impact” that [school] librarians have on education in Nova Scotia, and for taking the opportunity provided by the five year commitment by HRM and HRCE to engage in “discussions and planning with the province on long-term funding and support for students and school communities” (Ryan, 2026). On their behalf, and on behalf of the APLA membership, I respectfully encourage continued investment in the youth of your province by ensuring that funding for these positions continues beyond the next five years.

Sincerely, on behalf of the APLA Membership,

Terri Winchcombe
APLA President, 2025/26