Category: Nova Scotia

The closure of nearly half of the public libraries in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley might be put off, at least temporarily, if municipal governments can cobble together about $350,000.

Julia Merritt, CEO of Annapolis Valley Regional Libraries, said the extra money could keep all branches open until the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year. She said the library board is set to meet on Monday to discuss the possibility.

“This is all developing really fast,” she said in an interview, adding that she hasn’t yet formed an opinion on whether this is a good way to keep the libraries going.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Annapolis Valley libraries reconsidering imminent branch closures” →

A last-ditch effort to avert closures at five Annapolis Valley libraries has cleared the first hurdle.

Kentville Mayor Andrew Zebian asked July 6 for a special meeting to be held to consider pausing the Annapolis Valley Regional Library board’s decision to close the Hantsport, Port Williams, Kentville, Middleton, and Lawrencetown branches effective July 20.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Special meeting called for July 13 with library closures looming for July 20” →

Kentville’s mayor says a key meeting to pause five Annapolis Valley Regional Library branch closures still has not been scheduled, and he is worried time is running out.

Branches in Kentville, Hantsport, Lawrencetown, Middleton and Port Williams are still slated to close July 20.

Mayor Andrew Zebian has been pushing for a special AVRL board meeting to pause the closures and give funding partners more time to secure the money needed to keep the branches open.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Kentville mayor worried library meeting may not happen in time to stop closures” →

As the Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) prepares to shut down nearly half its branches due to financial pressures, at least one affected community is refusing to let its library die.

The AVRL announced last month it will close five of its 11 locations on July 20: Hantsport, Kentville, Port Williams, Middleton and Lawrencetown.

In Lawrencetown, N.S., local leaders say they are already taking matters into their own hands by preparing to transition to an independent, volunteer-run model.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Can small-town libraries go independent? Lawrencetown library looks to Canning for answers” →

The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library Board has launched a new fundraising initiative to help offset rising costs.

According to a June 23 news release, public libraries are busier than ever. As costs continue to rise, and expectations for library services, programs, and resources keep growing, funding pressures are increasing.

Core provincial government funding for public libraries has remained unchanged since 2020.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library Board launches new Library Fund with $300,000 goal” →

The newest Annapolis Valley Regional Library board member says he wants to give the biggest push he can to save branches that are slated to close.

The regional library board’s chief executive officer Julia Merritt announced a major restructuring of services on June 1, including the closure of the Hantsport, Kentville, Lawrencetown, Middleton, and Port Williams branches effective July 20. Nine full-time equivalent positions will be eliminated.

“Closing them should be a last resort, not a first resort,” Kentville Mayor Andrew Zebian said.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Kentville mayor making ‘big push’ to save Annapolis Valley Regional Library branches” →

Vacant provincial appointee positions on the Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) board are not the reason why the decision to close five branches wasn’t communicated in advance to government officials.

Following the June 1 announcement of the branch closures, Kings North MLA and Finance Minister John Lohr was among the government officials to issue statements on social media.

The statement said he was “surprised and disappointed by AVRL’s decision to close half of their library services. Everyone has the right to be upset and ask questions, including why the decision was made.”

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Province maintains Annapolis Valley library closures came as a ‘surprise’ to government officials” →

Officials with the Nova Scotia government and Annapolis Valley Regional Library have agreed to another meeting as the book is set to close on five branches next month.

The library’s board announced plans on June 1 to close branches in Hantsport, Kentville, Lawrencetown, Port Williams and Middleton as of July 20 due to funding pressures.

Julia Merritt, CEO of the regional library, said in an interview Monday that the next meeting has yet to be scheduled. But she said without an increase in funding, the closures will go ahead.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Government, library officials to meet again as Annapolis Valley branch closures loom” →

Kentville’s mayor says the town should have been part of any talks about the future of its library before the branch was selected for closure.

The Kentville Library is one of five Annapolis Valley Regional Library branches slated to close July 20.

Branches in Hantsport, Lawrencetown, Middleton and Port Williams are also scheduled to close.

Continue reading “Nova Scotia: Kentville mayor says town should have been included before library chosen for closure” →