Rising Demand and Financial Strain on Nova Scotia Libraries
Public libraries across Nova Scotia are increasingly turning to fundraising to cover rising operational costs, as provincial funding fails to keep pace with the growing financial demands. Most public libraries in the province are required to raise at least three per cent of their operating budgets through fundraising, but many are now surpassing that target significantly, with some raising 10 per cent or more.
Ashley Nunn-Smith, CEO of South Shore Public Libraries, shared that her organization raises 11 per cent of its budget through fundraising and grants. She emphasized that while fundraising is essential, it cannot alone sustain public libraries in the province.
South Shore Public Libraries recently announced a fundraising event featuring Rachel Reid, author of the bestselling hockey romance series Game Changers, which inspired the TV hit Heated Rivalry. The event is expected to generate several thousand dollars for the library system.
Nunn-Smith explained that the library has long held fundraising events, including an annual literary festival, author readings, and a Christmas campaign where individuals can purchase bookplates in honor of loved ones.
However, the current financial landscape — marked by stagnant provincial contributions — has forced the library to ramp up its fundraising efforts. "Fundraising alone cannot sustain public libraries in this province," Nunn-Smith said. "But yes, we will need to increase our fundraising efforts."
The pressure on libraries comes as demand for services continues to grow, alongside rising costs for labor, books, and energy. Meanwhile, the provincial funding formula, which covers 70 per cent of library finances in systems outside the Halifax Regional Municipality, has only increased once in the past 16 years — in 2019.
Although the province provided bridge funding since 2019, Nunn-Smith noted that it was insufficient to close the gap between expenses and revenue. This financial strain led to the recent closure of five branches in the Annapolis Valley Regional Library.
Eric Stackhouse, chief librarian at Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library (PARL), shared that his library is aiming to fundraise 10 per cent of its operating budget this year to balance the budget. "We're really, really leaning heavily into the fundraising now," he said. "We’re forced into that situation."
PARL has set up "donation stations" at its seven branches, allowing people to tap their card at a machine, make a donation, and receive a tax receipt. The library is also part of a donor platform for charitable giving and is seeking corporate investments in its library fund, which will be used for operating expenses.
Stackhouse mentioned that PARL will continue with regular fundraising techniques such as raffles, events, and grant applications. "I've been in this job 26 years, and when I went to library school and did my master's, the last thing I thought I'd be doing is fundraising for salaries," he said.
Partnerships and New Branches
Both Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library and South Shore Public Libraries have turned to partnerships to support their activities. PARL has partnered with the Aberdeen Health Foundation to support programming, including initiatives aimed at reducing social isolation among seniors and other marginalized groups. This partnership brought in $130,000 for programming, compared to an average annual programming budget of less than $10,000 "in a good year," according to Stackhouse.
South Shore Public Libraries recently opened a new branch in Chester, N.S., which was made possible because the Village of Chester Commission is covering 100 per cent of staff costs. A second new branch, offering only programming space, is scheduled to open this fall in Cookville, just outside Bridgewater. All library staff costs there will be covered by the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.
Cuts and Closures
Nunn-Smith and Stackhouse both warned that without changes, more closures like those in the Annapolis Valley can be expected. South Shore Public Libraries has already implemented some cuts, including reducing the mobile library’s schedule from five days to four and cutting its collections budget and library hours.
"We are not at the point of closing larger locations yet, but certainly if the funding situation doesn't change, we would also be in that position in perhaps one or two or three more years," she said.
Stackhouse added that his library system has reduced its book budget, cut some Sunday hours, and laid off the equivalent of 1.5 full-time staff. "What's happening in the Valley is probably a wake-up call," he said. "It's a race to the bottom, and Annapolis Valley just got there sooner than everyone else."
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