Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) is a

public library A public library is a library, most often a lending library, that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil servic ...

system based in

Annapolis Valley The Annapolis Valley is a valley and region in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It is located in the western part of the Nova Scotia peninsula, formed by a Trough (geology), trough between two parallel mountain ranges along the shore of the B ...

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, located on its east coast. It is one of the three Maritime Canada, Maritime provinces and Population of Canada by province and territory, most populous province in Atlan ...

, Canada. It serves a population of just over 101,000 in Annapolis County, Kings County and the district of West Hants with eleven branch libraries. Established in 1949, Annapolis Valley Regional Library was the first regional library system in Nova Scotia.

History

In 1937, the

Government of Nova Scotia The Government of Nova Scotia (, ) is the government of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The powers and structure of the province are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867. In modern Canadian use, the term ...

passed an Act to Provide for the Support of Regional Libraries and a survey was undertaken asking residents if they needed a public library in their community. The recommendation was made to implement regional library service. The Second World War stalled plans for library service, but after the war in 1947-1948 the survey was updated and work began on the long-awaited project to establish a regional library in the Annapolis Valley. In May 1949, three branches were opened in Annapolis County — Annapolis Royal,

Bridgetown Bridgetown (UN/LOCODE: BB BGI) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Barbados. Formerly The Town of Saint Michael, the Greater Bridgetown area is located within the Parishes of Barbados, parish of Saint Michael, Barbados, Saint Mic ...

, and Lawrencetown. Middleton opened a branch in September 1949, and then the Windsor and Wolfville branches opened in November 1949. In 1951 the Berwick branch was set up followed in 1954 by Kentville, Hantsport in 1957, Port Williams in 1958, and the Kingston branch in 1972.

Governance

Annapolis Valley Regional Library is governed by a Board of Directors. It is composed of appointed members from each of the eleven municipal units served by the region and two representatives appointed by the Province of Nova Scotia.

Services

Annapolis Valley Regional Library offers: * Collection of 190, 143 items including books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, etc. * Downloadable eBooks and audiobooks * Free Public Internet access and wireless internet access * Borrow by Mail outreach service * Programs for kids, teens and adults

Branches

References

{{Authority control Public libraries in Nova Scotia Annapolis Valley Libraries established in 1949 1949 establishments in Canada