The Facts
- Public libraries provide excellent value for dollars spent
- Nova Scotian public libraries are award winning and internationally recognized for their innovation
Nova Scotians use public libraries
- 3,699,579 Nova Scotians visit a public library per year
- 321,243 Nova Scotians have a free library membership card
- 7,225,857 books and other materials are borrowed each year
- 505,181 hours of computer use is logged each year in a public library
- 196,869 people take part in a library program each year
Nova Scotia Public libraries contribute to community social and economic growth
- 834 Nova Scotians are employed by public libraries
- Over $30 million dollars goes into Nova Scotia communities each year through public libraries
- Hundreds of youth are hired each year in skilled and community oriented jobs
- Public libraries are located in many rural communities
- Public libraries are excellent community partners, providing skills and administration to many community ventures
- Public libraries provide community public spaces welcoming to all
- Public libraries make Nova Scotian communities good places to live and work
Nova Scotia public libraries provide a wide range of lifelong learning services
- 77 branch public libraries are located throughout Nova Scotia
- Public libraries also offer mobile branch, books by mail, and outreach branch services
- Public libraries offer 24 hour service through online libraries
- Nova Scotia public libraries offer a selection of 2,398,115 books and other materials
- Public libraries offer access to over 700 computers each year with high speed internet and a complete suite of software
- Public libraries provide over 11,000 programs each year to all ages that support lifelong learning and family literacy
- Public libraries provide 24 hour high speed wireless access
Source: 2008-09 Nova Scotia Provincial Library Annual Report. Department of Education.