Struggling N.S. libraries say their financial books need a $1.6M emergency top-up

Nova Scotia's libraries are requesting $1.6 million in emergency funding from the province to stabilize the public library system and avoid reducing services, staff, hours of operation and collections.

Eric Stackhouse, chief librarian of the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, wrote a letter in February on behalf of all nine regional library boards saying they are facing end-of-year deficits as they catch up with the increase in the minimum wage and other rising costs.

The letter, addressed to the province's executive director of libraries, also urged the Nova Scotia government to revise its five-year funding formula. 

Public libraries received $16.4 million in base operating funds from the province in the 2024-25 fiscal year, with the same amount earmarked for 2025-26. But Stackhouse said status quo funding risks harming libraries.

"It just means less access. Less access to computers, less access to reading materials," said Stackhouse. "We understand the challenges the government is facing. However, during uncertain financial times, people turn to libraries more."

Julia Merritt, CEO of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, said some of the 11 libraries in her region have already made service and staff cuts to stabilize their budget, which is "a big loss" for the rural communities they serve.

She said libraries provide educational programs, serve as cooling and warming centres, help people connect with government services, and offer food pantries and community spaces. But with limited funding, she said communities are losing access to those resources. 

"We've had to reduce our program offerings by 50 per cent starting in 2024," said Merritt.

She added that her regional libraries have had to reduce their staff by five employees over the past two years. Currently, there are 50 permanent staff members.

Merritt believes that the additional funding would help stabilize the system in the short term, although she also wants to explore long-term solutions.

The provincial Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage did not make anyone available for an interview with CBC News. 

Rob Maguire, director of communications, said in a statement that the libraries' funding request is under consideration.

'We need to be properly resourced'

In 2024, a library funding review committee made up of government staff, library board members and municipal councillors recommended changing the provincial funding formula to reflect inflation and other financial pressures.

Stackhouse, who was committee co-chair, said he expected that recommendations to be reflected in the latest funding formula, but was dismayed to see it unchanged. 

Provincial funding for libraries is determined by a formula that is reviewed every five years. The 2019-24 formula marked the first budget increase for libraries since 2009. However, Stackhouse said the 2025-30 funding formula needs to be revised to ensure that libraries can keep up with rising operational costs.

"What we want to say to government is we're here to help you. We're here to help you deliver your services. We're here to help deliver priorities for the government and for our citizens and our communities. But we need to be properly resourced," said Stackhouse.

Maguire said the province is reviewing the committee's recommendations.

Currently, libraries get 71 per cent of their funding from the provincial government and 26 per cent from municipalities. Libraries need to fundraise the remaining three per cent. The exception is libraries within the Halifax Regional Municipality, which are primarily funded by the municipality.