Updated June 1, 2026
Due to the lack of sustainable operating funding, the AVRL is no longer able to maintain its present level of service. Maintaining all 11 library branches is not financially sustainable under the current funding model, and significant changes will be required across the region.
Effective July 20, 2026, the following five AVRL branches will close:
- Hantsport
- Kentville
- Lawrencetown
- Middleton
- Port Williams
In order to complete the restructuring process and support staff through this transition, all AVRL locations will be closed from June 1–14, 2026. Regular service at all locations will resume on June 15, 2026, and continue until the effective closure date of July 20, 2026.
Beginning July 20, 2026, the following six AVRL locations will remain open with new standardized hours:
- Windsor
- Wolfville
- Berwick
- Kingston
- Bridgetown
- Annapolis Royal
The AVRL is facing a structural funding deficit that cannot be resolved through incremental efficiencies alone. The AVRL has now received confirmation that there will be no increase to Provincial library funding for 2026–27, with funding remaining at 2020–2025 levels.
Over the past several months, AVRL made separate requests to each of its eight partnering municipalities for increased funding contributions. All eight municipalities committed additional funding for 2026–27, and the AVRL is deeply grateful for their continued support and commitment to library service in their communities.
However, without sustainable increases to the Provincial Library Funding Formula — and without Provincial Bridge funding in 2026–27 — these municipal contributions alone are not enough to prevent significant service reductions and impacts across the region.
While the decision is deeply difficult, the long-term goal is to protect the Library’s ability to continue serving the region by focusing resources on a sustainable library system that can support literacy, learning, digital access, and community connection into the future.
The AVRL recognizes the deep connection between public libraries and the communities they serve. Our branches are supported by residents, community groups, donors, and municipal partners who value library service as an essential part of community life. While these changes are difficult, the AVRL remains committed to continuing library service across the region and supporting our communities through this transition. We also extend our sincere gratitude to our partnering municipalities for their ongoing support and longstanding commitment to public libraries and the people who rely on them.
We encourage residents to continue reaching out to their elected representatives to share their perspectives on the importance of sustainable public library funding in our region.
If you have concerns about these branch closures and service reductions and their impact on you or your community, please reach out to your local MLA and the Ministry of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.
Contact your local MLA and let them know why the library matters to you. Ask them to support their communities by sustainably funding your public library.
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The Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) is facing a critical budget shortfall in 2026. The Bank of Canada’s Inflation Calendar shows that the cost of goods has increased by 43% since 2009*. At the same time, AVRL’s funding has only increased by 10%.
While we remain hopeful that the Spring 2026 Provincial budget will provide the sustainable funding needed to maintain library service, we want to be clear and transparent with our communities about the changes that will occur without it.
What will happen
No sustainable funding will result in the following:
- Reduced service hours
- Fewer new books and resources
- Further program and service reductions
- Possible branch closures
Budgetary challenges are not new to public libraries. We are familiar with the concept of “doing more with less”. It has been our unofficial guiding principle for decades. In the face of long-term funding shortfalls, tough choices were made in order to continue operating within budgetary constraints. Since 2015 we have:
- eliminated twelve full-time positions, reducing the staff body by 25%.
- reduced programming by 50%; only core literacy and technology programs remain.
- eliminated bookmobile service and the department in charge of programming and partnerships.
- ran on a deficit budget in 2023-24 and 2024-25
Despite these reductions in staffing and services, library usage is up. Borrowing (circulation) has increased by 30% since 2009 and free public internet access has increased 20% in the last 2 years alone.
These statistics only paint part of the picture. Our communities rely on us for more than books. We are where people go for support, connection, and practical help. We provide access to reliable and accurate information, staff who can help you navigate questions, provide entertainment, lifelong learning opportunities, early literacy development, and a welcoming space for all members of the community.
Libraries are community hubs that are in high demand and we want to be able to provide the services that our communities are asking of us.
Many Annapolis Valley residents face loneliness, affordability, health access, housing, and newcomer needs. Libraries touch every one of these issues.
Libraries are one of the most efficient publicly funded services in our communities. A small investment supports literacy, health, education, economic participation, emergency readiness, and social well-being.
The AVRL by the numbers:
- Open 375 hours per week across 11 library branches
- Circulation of 759,399 items**
- 562,726 website visits**
- 234,399 wifi and computer hours**
- 224,016 in-person visits**
- 26,841 information questions asked **
- 25,529 active members (almost 1 in 4 residents in the Annapolis Valley are actively using their library card)
- 3,723 new cardholders in 2024-25**
- 1,465 programs hosted with 8,698 program attendees (early literacy storytime, tech tutoring, book clubs, and community coffee to name a few)
With stable funding we can keep saying yes to our communities. We want to keep meeting growing demand. We simply need sustainable funding to plan and deliver library services that our communities need and want. With sustainable funding, libraries will remain essential community hubs.
*Based on the Bank of Canada’s Inflation Calculator
**AVRL’s 2024/25 fiscal year totals
Budget constraints could lead to Annapolis Valley Regional Library service cuts
Annapolis Valley Register, April 6, 2026
Public libraries struggle to balance books
CBC Radio’s Mainstreet February 17, 2026
Annapolis Valley Regional Library needs more funding to avoid cuts in 2026-27
Annapolis Valley Register, January 2, 2026
Maritime Noon
Today’s phone-in: Our conversation today is about public libraries and why they matter to us. Our guests are Ashley Nunn-Smith – the CEO and Chief Librarian for the South Shore Public Libraries. And Julia Merritt – the CEO of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library. CBC Radio, December 9, 2025
N.S. libraries ask users to contact MLAs, municipalities about impending cuts
CBC News, November 25, 2025