‘Heated Rivalry’ author donates $300K to N.S. libraries slated for closure
Rachel Reid, a Nova Scotia resident, said libraries are an essential service and with some slated for closure felt she needed to help keep them open.
Author Rachel Reid donated $300,000 to the Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) to save five branches slated for closure next month. Reid, known for her popular Game Changers book series, stated that libraries are essential services and the closures would be catastrophic to small communities. The AVRL announced in June that it would close the Kentville, Lawrencetown, Hantsport, Middleton, and Port Williams branches due to a lack of sustainable funding.
However, after Reid's donation, the library was able to extend service at these locations until September 30, 2026. The donation will help keep all 11 AVRL branches open through the 2026-27 fiscal year, although hours have been reduced to five days a week and summer programs were not able to proceed. NDP critic Susan Leblanc praised the donation but urged the government to provide proper funding, noting that libraries are facing a funding gap of almost $12.8 million in the province.
The AVRL has been open about its financial struggles, cutting staffing by 25% and programming by 50% since 2015.
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