The Dangers Libraries Face
/The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Libraries (PARL), a not-for-profit independent organization, is facing cuts to hours, services and programs in 2026 if they cannot acquire sustainable funding from the province of Nova Scotia. PARL has launched a “Let’s Talk Libraries” campaign to bring attention to the issue.
The province of Nova Scotia gives a yearly grant accounting for 66% of library funding, equaling $21.62 per resident of Antigonish and Pictou counties. “The price of a paperback,” reads a pamphlet the libraries are handing out to bring attention to the issue. This amount has not changed in 6 years. With rising minimum wage rates, the library struggles in sustaining its staff — as most of the library’s funding goes towards wages. Along with the provincial grant, municipalities contribute 29% of funding and pay for their “specific library’s maintenance, heat, and lights.” The remaining 5% comes from local fundraising.
This $21.62 from the province grants many people opportunities they might not otherwise have access to: WIFI, social spaces, millions of books (print and online copies), thousands of news articles/magazines, and much, much more. Losing access to these programs would be detrimental to residents surrounding PARL branches, who would otherwise not have access to online government services, programs, and educational/recreational materials.
“The budget for programing is $10 000/year for all seven of our branches” says Kristel Fleuren-Hunter, a Children’s Services Librarian. That is roughly $1428 per branch. And yet, on a shoestring budget, the library continues to offer programs such as craft nights for adults, sewing circles, ABCs for babies, toddle time, and more.
“A lot of students come here to study, around exam time,” Kristel mentioned, and “every table, every study corral is full. So, [cuts] can impact … times for people to come in and study if we are not open as often.” And students will sympathize with the up-hill challenge that is securing a study spot on campus, especially during finals season. With the cutting of hours, it is just another place that is not available when students need it most.
Alongside serving the town’s residents, the library also has “a partnership with StFX library, where every month we send up a box of about 30-40 books of leisure reading,” mentioned Kristel, “… you can go to StFX library to do your research and borrow journals, but what about the books for fun? Because, you need to have that sort of downtime too.”
If you would like to support your local library, consider contacting the MLA for Antigonish, the Honourable Michelle Thompson. The link below will bring you to a web page created by PARL with facts about the ongoing situation regarding the libraries, and contact information for Hon. Michelle Thompson, and Nova Scotia’s Premier, Hon. Tim Houston.
