The Annapolis Valley Regional Library says talks are continuing on whether five branches scheduled for closure can remain open longer.

AVRL says it met with funding partner municipalities on Monday to review the library’s situation and explore interest in next steps.

The library also says it met with provincial staff Wednesday in what it described as a “solutions-oriented” meeting looking at possibilities to keep branches open for the rest of 2026-27.

An extra Library Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wolfville Council Chambers.

AVRL says the meeting, open to the public, will discuss whether the five branches scheduled for closure may be able to stay open for an additional short time while talks continue with the province and municipalities.

It was last month when AVRL announced Branches in Kentville, Hantsport, Lawrencetown, Middleton and Port Williams remain slated to close July 20 due to the lack of provincial funding.

Kentville Mayor Andrew Zebian has been pushing for the board to pause the closures to give funding partners more time to find a solution.

He has said AVRL could keep all 11 branches open until March 31, 2027, if funding partners provide the full top-up requested earlier this year.

Zebian says the request totals about $350,000 including a 50 per cent increase from funding partners.

According to Zebian, Kentville, Annapolis Royal and the Municipality of West Hants committed to the full ask.

Zebian says he plans to attend Monday’s meeting to represent the Town of Kentville and advocate for all five closures to be paused.

AVRL says the six remaining branches will open as planned under the new hours and staffing model July 21.

The library says the agenda and meeting package will be posted on its website when they are ready.

Source: YourTricounties.ca