It’s the first of its kind in Nova Scotia.
A new library has opened in Whycocomagh. A joint venture between Eastern County Regional Libraries (ECRL) and the Municipality of Inverness, according to James Fuller, the warden of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s and chair of ECRL.
“The employees are paid for by the County of Inverness, while the library, the books, the functions, the computers, are overseen by the library board,” explained Fuller.
The initiative, he said, is in a First Nation and was spearheaded by the County of Inverness.
“To their credit, they saw an area in need and approached the libraries with a unique formula,” said Fuller.
He said it is facing some scrutiny amid concerns with security around personal information in the library system, but it has been addressed and they are now “really hoping for the best.”
Other libraries struggling
According to the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Libraries (PARL) the funding formula from the province has not changed in years.
Now, PARL said they are fighting to make ends meet and are currently fundraising with The Library Fund, looking to raise $300,000.
In addition to PARL, in early June, Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) announced they were shutting down five branches due to lack of provincial funding.
Fuller said if other areas want to look at this particular venture, that will be up to their boards.
However, he’s cautiously optimistic that, “in this particular area, in this particular situation, this will be a successful venture.”
Outstanding addition
A grand opening for the Whycocomagh branch was last weekend.
Fuller said the place was packed with people, hot dogs and a “special piece of equipment” called a cube.
“A 3D printer, a vinyl sign maker all in one that is part of a pilot program coming out of Sydney,” explained Fuller. “If you want to come make a widget in the 3D printer, it would be there for you to use.”
There will also be plenty of activities planned for the future.
“It looks like [this library] is going to be an outstanding addition to that community,” said Fuller.
