Book lovers in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax will have access to a super library as regional libraries launch a program called Same Page on April 21.
Tiffany Bartlett, chief executive of Colchester-East Hants Public Library, said the partnership includes eight regional libraries that cover the whole of Nova Scotia, with the exception of Halifax’s public libraries.
“Once we start, we will serve 55 percent of Nova Scotia’s population. “This will provide access to the collections of more than 60 branches across the province, so there are only about a million items, and will provide users with one card to access these services,” she said.
“So for our Colchester-East Hunts, for example, that’s about a 10-fold increase over what they have access to now.”
The participating libraries are:
- Annapolis Valley Regional Library
- Cape Breton Regional Library
- Colchester-East Hunts Public Library
- Cumberland Public Libraries
- Regional Library of the Eastern Districts
- Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library
- Public libraries on the South Coast
- Regional Library of the Western Districts
Bartlett said restrictions on digital licensing do not allow Halifax’s public libraries from entering the super library, although people can still use interlibrary loans to obtain books available only through the Halifax library system. Halifax’s public libraries have said they will reconsider their cooperation with the consortium once the same page is up and running.
The eight libraries will also share digital content via Overdrive.
The new system also removes overdue fines, removes loan limits and will automatically renew items up to three times if no one else is waiting.
“It was a direct response to the public demand for a new library experience with as few barriers as possible,” said Eric Stackhaus, chairman of the Same Page consortium.
“Our vision is for all Nova Scotians to have equal opportunities to connect to library resources through a universal library card.”
People will receive a new card the next time they visit a library, or they can ask the library to send one.
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