Larry Haiven: I have a modest proposal, which I think is almost directly analogous to the decision of Halifax Regional Libraries to deny a free venue to the Radical Imagination Project to show films critical of the police without ‘the other side.’
Alex Khasnabish writes about being told that the Radical Imagination Film and Discussion Series at the Central Branch Library in Halifax must include a representative of the Halifax Police Department as a featured speaker.
Halifax Council’s intention to limit this year’s property tax increase to 1.9% will lead to a sizeable reduction in staff, Halifax head librarian and CEO Åsa Kachan told the Council’s budget committee on Friday. That inevitably means programs and services will be impacted, she said. Councillors will make a decision later this month. Maybe it’s time to give your councillor a call.
A South Shore man built a prosthetic arm for his grandson Charlie, who was born with a limb difference. How, you ask? He used the 3D-printer at the South Shore Public Library in Bridgewater, and built the arm for less than $25 in materials! Another reason why we love public libraries. Story by Understorey Magazine editor Katherine J. Barrett.
Budget pressures force public libraries in Cumberland County to reduce hours. Expect more announcements like this as the government is slowly squeezing public libraries in rural Nova Scotia, just to save a couple of pennies, really. To quote the Cumberland County deputy chief librarian Chantelle Taylor, ““We offer this precious little jewel of a service, it does pretty good with the little money it gets, and nobody seems to recognize this fantastic thing.”
More on the threat to rural Nova Scotia’s public libraries. They’re free. They’re for everybody. They’re the lifeblood of many communities. And they are slowly being squeezed by governments that don’t understand their value. But wait, it’s election time! Maybe it’s time for a good chat with your local candidates.
The government is slowly killing public libraries in rural Nova Scotia, just so it can save a tiny little bit of money. We talk with four chief librarians and the future looks awfully grim.
Judy Haiven pleads with the Halifax Public Libraries to do the right thing and cancel its Chronicle Herald subscriptions for the duration of the strike.
Public libraries in rural Nova Scotia know all about austerity, they have been living it for decades.
More cuts to the Halifax Library budget while visits and circulation are set to increase doesn’t make sense. It’s time for users and library workers to speak out.