Category: Nova Scotia

Book publishers across Nova Scotia say provincial funding cuts are creating a “domino effect” across the industry.

During Question Period on Sept. 15, Krista Gallagher, MLA for Halifax-Chebucto, raised concerns on behalf of publishers who say the province’s decision to include the Publishers Assistance Fund will result in fewer books being released, which could significantly affect their eligibility for federal funding.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Funding cuts create ‘domino effect’ for N.S. publishers” →

Library workers and stakeholders will be gathering in Pictou this weekend to explore emerging trends, share innovative approaches, and celebrate the vital role libraries play in the health and well-being of communities across the province.

The Nova Scotia Library Association’s annual conference is being hosted by the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library from Sept. 18-20 at the deCoste Culture Hub. The association welcomes membership from anyone interested in library service.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Library Association holding annual conference in Pictou” →

Thanks to a fundraiser featuring a bestselling Nova Scotian author, doors to all Annapolis Valley Regional Library branches may remain open beyond the end of the fiscal year.

Rachel Reid is one of Canada’s most celebrated contemporary romance writers. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Game Changers series, which has been adapted into the smash hit TV series Heated Rivalry.

When asked why it was important to her to help keep the regional library’s doors open with a recent $300,000 donation and the Sept. 12 fundraising event in Wolfville, Reid said it’s because she has the ability to help and “I have been very, very blessed this year.”

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: ‘I call her a superhero’: Residents appreciate Rachel Reid’s fundraiser for Annapolis Valley libraries” →

Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid has donated $300,000 to the Annapolis Valley Regional Library after hearing five branches were set to permanently shutter.

“I had to do it because I don’t know what the point is of being a successful author in Nova Scotia if you’re not going to use it for good,” Reid told CBC News in an interview Monday.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Heated Rivalry author donates $300K to 5 rural libraries facing closure” →

A  reminder of the upcoming NSLA Conference – Making Connections, September 18-20, 2026 – in Pictou, Nova Scotia, at our new library on the waterfront in the deCoste Culture Hub (99 Water Street, Pictou, NS).

An amazing conference is planned for NSLA, and organizers are looking forward to seeing you soon! From keynotes, to workshops, sessions to receptions, panel discussions – a cardigan exchange, awards banquet, trivia night, lunch music with Symphony Nova Scotia, and evenings with local entertainers, Sunday morning gentle yoga… and lots of great food, conversations & community. (And of course – conference swag bags and door prizes!).

Full details may be found on the updated conference website HERE.

Many thanks to those who have already registered, … and space is still available.

Members of the Lawrencetown village commission realize it’s an ambitious project, but the community has the volunteers and talent needed to operate an independent library.

Vice-chairperson Jane Baskwill said that when commissioners first saw a report from the Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) board in January requesting increased funding from municipalities to avoid potential closures, they noted the Dr. Frank W. Morse Memorial Library in Lawrencetown had the lowest circulation rate of the 11 regional library branches.

Baskwill said they realized if this metric were to be used to determine which branches would remain open, they would have a difficult time increasing circulation given their hours of operation as a regional library branch and a general lack of programming being offered.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Lawrencetown prepares to build collection, operate independent library” →

Ready or not, September is just around the corner which means that it is almost time for the 2026 NSLA Conference. This year’s theme is Making Connections and it will be held at the Pictou Library & deCoste Culture Hub on September 18-20, 2026.

Here are just a few things you have to look forward to:

  • Saturday morning keynote: Resilience and the New Roles of Libraries in Times of War with Yaroslava Soshynska, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Library Association
  • Sunday morning keynote: Making Connections with Terrence Taylor
  • Join a stitching circle or make a zine. Be creative while you learn some new programming ideas.
  • Readers advisory tips.
  • What to do about generative AI.
  • A weekend-long cardigan exchange. Feel free to bring a cardigan or two that you would like to see go to a new home and add something new to your wardrobe.
  • And more…

Details and registration are available on the conference website https://parl.ns.ca/nslaconference2026/

If you have any questions, please reach out to Conference Co-Convenors Trecia Schell at tschell@parl.ns.ca or Kristel Fleuren-Hunter at kfhunter@parl.ns.ca

APLA and NSLA are member associations of The Partnership, so with your APLA membership you can also apply for the NSLA membership conference rate! Another membership perk!”

The revitalization of the New Glasgow Public Library continues to progress smoothly.

The Town of New Glasgow, in partnership with the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, has been working on the library revitalization project since June 2025.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: ‘It isn’t just a place to find books’: New Glasgow’s library revitalization continues” →

Five Annapolis Valley Regional Library branches that were set to close July 20 have been granted a reprieve.

At a special library board meeting in the Wolfville on July 13, members voted to use a portion of remaining, unallocated reserve funds to keep the doors of the five branches open until Sept. 30.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Board grants reprieve for five AVRL branches scheduled to close” →