Presenter: Kristel Fleuren-Hunter
This session profiled Antigonish People’s Place Library as something much bigger: a community hub, a technology gateway, a social connector, and a behind-the-scenes service centre many of us rely on without even realizing it.
Kristel Fleuren-Hunter, Branch Manager for the Antigonish Library, provided context that helped everyone see People’s Place in a wider system:
- People’s Place is one of seven branches in the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library system.
- It’s also the only branch in Antigonish County, which makes its services and outreach especially important.
- The regional system is one of nine library regions in Nova Scotia, connected to other regions through the province-wide Same Page network (so materials can be shared across libraries in Nova Scotia, excluding Halifax).
Board structure
The regional board is made up of municipal councillors from across the area (including Antigonish Town and County, and municipal units and towns in Pictou County), plus two provincial appointees (with one position noted as currently vacant).
Budget reality
The regional library’s annual operating budget is about $2 million—covering: seven branches, outreach, and services like Borrow-by-Mail.
Kristel emphasized that a lot of the “extra” things people love—expanded programs, special collections, new initiatives—often depend on grants and fundraising, because core dollars don’t stretch far enough. PARL has to fundraise up to 5% of their annual budget to provide these services
Kristel shared that about $21.62 per person per year in provincial taxes provides access to everything the library offers. When you look at the range of services, it’s an astonishing return on investment. She was clear that Libraries aim to remain free to Nova Scotians so that they can continue to provide essential and accessible community spaces and services for all. A library card is free. Programs are free. Borrowing is free. And while people sometimes suggest charging for cards or programs, Kristel explained why the library resists that: accessibility is the point. A public library is one of the few places left where people can enter, stay, learn, connect, and get support without needing to buy anything.
She also distinguished between:
- bridge funding (short-term, one-time support that keeps the lights on), and
- a truly sustainable funding formula (still not in place).
A key tension: core funding has not increased in years, while costs continue to rise.
What would get cut first?
During Q&A, Kristel spoke plainly about the domino effect of budget pressure:
- the book budget has already been cut to the point where it can’t be reduced much more,
- Cuts tend to show up in hours ,which then impacts staffing and retention (because fewer hours can affect eligibility for benefits and job stability).
Programs that make People’s Place feel like a community living room
Then Kristel moved from structure to what participants really wanted to hear: what’s happening here—often quietly, consistently, and with a lot of care.
Children and families
- story times for different ages
- seasonal and special events
- summer reading programming designed to reduce the “summer slide,” while keeping learning playful and engaging
Adults and community connection
- book clubs (often full—demand is strong)
- Armchair Travel Nights, where community members share photos and stories from places they’ve visited
- a monthly Community Café (formerly Seniors Café), open to everyone
- adult craft nights that fill quickly (“because why should kids have all the fun?”)
Kristel underscored something bigger than activities: these programs create social connection, and that connection isn’t a nice-to-have. It is increasingly linked to mental health, physical health, and community resilience.
Memory Café Mondays: care, music, and dignity
Christine MacKenzie spoke about her involvement in Memory Mondays / Memory Café, running Mondays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, oriented toward people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia (and open to the public). Participants enjoy gentle recreational activities, light refreshments (often with home baking), live music, and a warm atmosphere where people can participate as they are.
The maker side of the library: 3D printing, creativity, and practical problem-solving
Matthew Pettipas, showcased the library’s 3D printing service, sharing how it can be used for: creative projects and models, historical replicas and artifacts, scaled pieces and custom objects, even replacement parts for broken household items (when designs can be found or created)
LEGO builders: a weekly club that quietly builds community
Wayne Taylor described how they meet every Wednesday and how the library supported the group by investing in an initial group kit so participation isn’t limited to people with big budgets.
Virtual healthcare support: when the library becomes a bridge to care
Melissa Marshall
Virtual Health Navigator support available through the library system. This role helps people access online healthcare when technology is a barrier, including:
- setting up virtual care accounts
- navigating platforms like YourHealthNS
- helping with follow-ups like lab results
- providing private office space for confidential appointments
- staying with someone during an appointment if they want support
Discussion for Community:
How has accessing the library services impacted your life?
What is one thing you would say to provincial funders to encourage them to improve library funding?
How can we as a community, support this important community hub and encourage others to do the same?
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