Federal, Provincial Governments Will Support Central Library in Halifax, NS

$55 million (CAD) project will nearly triple size of main library

Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 10/21/2009

• 22-year effort
• Library will add auditorium, many more features
• In contrast to U.S., Canada emphasizes libraries as infrastructure investments
• Project seen as "easy to support"

A 22-year effort toward a new central library in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has bounded a major hurdle, as the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia announced that the Halifax Central Library project in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is a priority for infrastructure funding.

 The federal government will contribute up to $18.3 million, with the province of Nova Scotia providing $13 million and the HRM $23.7 million, thus reaching—or coming close to—the $55 million CAD ($52.7 million USD) price tag. (As of June 2008, the project cost, including parking and retail, was under $52 million.)

The library, with its model a "Partnership of Culture and Learning," will be part of the Halifax Public Libraries. No timetable was announced.

Federal role
As with the Toronto Reference Library, as LJ reported, this construction project shows that the federal government in Canada, as opposed to the U.S. government, considers library building projects important infrastructure investments.

Chronicle-Herald columnist Marilla Stephenson commented that the announcement showed that the Conservative party, which holds sway in the national government, is not merely supporting projects in legislative districts held by its own party: “It’s the kind of project that’s easy to support, has long been stewing on the books and, best of all, is not located in a Tory riding.”

Major expansion, LEED Silver
The new building will accommodate more books, more users, more computers and more public spaces than the current one, growing from 38,000 square feet to 108,740 square feet, 30 to 285 adult/teen computers, and two to 14 meeting rooms, plus a new 250-seat auditorium, among other things.

The Central Library, to be built on what is now a parking lot, will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards.

“Today's investment in culture and learning will leave a legacy to everyone in the community - children, families, seniors and lifelong learners,” said Peter Kelly, mayor of HRM. “Just as this library in which we stand reflected its time and its values, the new Central Library will blend the best of traditional library service with new and innovative spaces making it a vital centre for learning and culture in the heart of the community.”