Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library

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Regional Library Board

The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library is one of 9 regional public libraries across Nova Scotia. The regional library system was created through provincial legislation, the Public Libraries Act. Each regional library is governed by an independent library board. Funding is provided by the Province of Nova Scotia, through the Provincial Library (Department of Communities, Culture & Heritage) and by each municipal unit in the Pictou-Antigonish area. The Library Board is also mandated to raise at least 3% of its overall operating budget. The actual library facilities are owned, and maintained by the municipal units, while staffing, collections, and services are provided by the board.

The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library Board has 10 members. Each of the 8 municipal councils appoints one elected official to the Board and the Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage appoints 2 community volunteers. The Board is responsible for setting policy, setting and overseeing the operating budget, ensuring a financial audit is completed annually, and for hiring the Chief Librarian. The Chief Librarian, who must have a graduate degree in Library and Information Science, acts as secretary to the Board and ensures the region is operated and developed according to policy.

The Board has an annual budget of over 1.7 million dollars, employs +50 full & part-time staff and several youth grant positions. There are 7 branch libraries, a Borrow By Mail service, Outreach Services, and an extensive virtual library.

The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library Board is proud of its community-driven approach to services, understanding the library is only as successful as the community in which it operates. Beyond the traditional library services, the Board assists municipalities and communities with Web development, oversees the development of the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program, creates innovative and award-winning digital content through NovaStory.ca, manages Community Access to Technology in the two counties, and much more.

Board of Directors 2024/25

• Antigonish County - Coun. Mary MacLellan
• Town of Antigonish - Coun. Patrick McKenna
• Town of New Glasgow - Coun. Clyde Fraser
• Municipality of Pictou County - Coun. Deborah Wadden
• Town of Pictou - Coun. Robert Fry
• Town of Stellarton - Deputy Mayor Sandra Eis
• Town of Trenton - Coun. Nicole Leblanc
• Town of Westville - Coun. Helen Dunn
• Provincial - Kathy Campbell
• Provincial - Greg Dickson

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