‘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 has donated $300,000 to save five Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) branches slated for closure. Reid, author of the Heated Rivalry book series, expressed concern over the closure of the Kentville, Lawrencetown, Hantsport, Middleton, and Port Williams branches, stating that libraries are essential to small communities.
AVRL CEO Julia Merritt expressed gratitude for Reid's donation, which will allow all 11 branches to remain open until the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year. However, the library had to cut hours and cancel summer programs due to the donation. Merritt emphasized that while the donation is a relief, more funding is needed from the government to prevent future closures.
The province faces a funding gap of almost $12.8 million for libraries, with AVRL having already cut staffing by 25 percent and programming by 50 percent since 2015. NDP critic Susan Leblanc praised the donation, urging the government to address the funding issue urgently.
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