Effort underway to save 5 rural Nova Scotia libraries slated for closure

Municipalities are actively seeking funding solutions to prevent the imminent closure of five rural Nova Scotia libraries. The Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) announced on June 1 that its Kentville, Hantsport, Lawrencetown, Middleton, and Port Williams branches would close on July 20 due to insufficient sustainable funding.

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So the board is in good faith taking a look at the reserve funds that are remaining to it and seeing if there is an opportunity to extend service for a number of weeks.

The impending closures have sparked concern and protests among community members who rely on these vital spaces. Julia Merritt, CEO of AVRL, stated that the board is reviewing its remaining reserve funds to determine if services can be extended for a few more weeks. A letter from the Council of Regional Librarians to the Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage indicates a provincial funding gap of nearly $12.8 million.

Merritt highlighted that AVRL has been transparent about its financial struggles, having already reduced staffing by 25% and programming by 50% since 2015. "No matter what, there was going to be some major disappointments due to the fact of having 11 branches and no longer being able to afford to operate that many," she said.

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No matter what, there was going to be some major disappointments due to the fact of having 11 branches and no longer being able to afford to operate that many.

Minister Dave Ritcey confirmed last week that the province cannot offer more funding beyond the $16.4 million allocated in the provincial budget. "We’re here to work with the AVRL and the library system, as well as our municipal partners. We’re both the funders and we want to continue to work them on a sustainable model," Ritcey stated.

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We’re here to work with the AVRL and the library system, as well as our municipal partners. We’re both the funders and we want to continue to work them on a sustainable model.

Kentville Mayor Andrew Zebian expressed disappointment but noted that the province's stance was not surprising. He emphasized that the immediate focus is on keeping the five branches open, suggesting a return to municipalities to collect the shortfall. The AVRL board is meeting to discuss options, including further discussions with municipalities about potentially changing their funding decisions from earlier this spring. Merritt noted that the library board had previously requested a 50% increase in operating contributions from its eight funding partner municipalities, but most did not agree to the full increase.

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I think right now the main focus is to keep those five branches open. So I think really we need to go back to the municipalities and collect that shortfall to keep them all open.