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Trunk or Treat Oct 2025 (3)

Annual Trunk or Treat set for this Saturday in Fort Frances

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The highly popular Trunk or Treat returns to the Fort Frances Public Library this Saturday.

It invites groups, organizations and individuals to park in the library parking lot, dress up their vehicles and hand out treats to the hundreds of youngsters who take part.

The library’s Chief Executive Officer Nadine Cousineau says it provides for a safe Halloween experience.

“We try to make the event as accessible as possible, and we have got a lot of positive feedback,” says Cousineau.

“There are families out there with some accessibility needs, and it’s much easier for them to just come to the event and then everybody gets that great Halloween experience that way. But even families with small children, with multiple children, they really enjoy coming to the event. It makes for a really enjoyable night for them.”

Trunk or Treat at the Fort Frances Public Library, October 31, 2025. Image: Johnathan Price/Acadia Broadcasting

Cousineau feels the event gets bigger and better every year.

Last year, one group had an inflatable nightclub, while another decorated a huge construction crane.

Area fire departments, Ontario Provincial Police and the District of Rainy River Services Ambulance Service have also brought vehicles in the past.

Trunk or Treat at the Fort Frances Public Library, October 31, 2025. Image: Johnathan Price/Acadia Broadcasting

Cousineau says they still have some room for this year’s event.

“We would be thrilled to see some more registrations,” says Cousineau.We will have until Thursday for you to get your registration in. If you’d like to join us for trunk or treat, you can do that on our website.”

The library is also still welcoming donations of candy and other treats, or money to buy treats to ensure everyone goes home satisfied.

There will also be a photo booth inside the library to capture those spooky moments.

The event will start at 5 p.m. and go until 7 p.m.

Trunk or Treat at the Fort Frances Public Library, October 31, 2025. Image: Johnathan Price/Acadia Broadcasting
Library

“We want to send a message to the provincial government,” says library fundraiser organizer

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Kings Theatre is finding a creative way to fundraise for their local library.

They’re hosting a showing of Shrek, with a live donkey in attendance.

“The community is very excited and it doesn’t hurt that we’re having a live donkey on site,” said Kings Theatre Executive Director Janet Larkman.

They’re also encouraging community members to dress up as their favourite Shrek character, fairy tale character or historical person.

According to Larkman the theatre has a history of hosting creative fundraising events. Last year, they hosted a Jaws movie fundraiser for the community pool that raised more than $2,000.

At that event the house manager made a gigantic shark and used it to do a pre-show musical performance.

“That was like, absolutely priceless,” said Larkman. “We had people chucking beach balls all over the auditorium before the movie started. It was just a super fun community event.”

This time around, they’re fundraising for the library in Annapolis Royal.

Earlier this year, the Annapolis Valley library board voted to use more than half of its reserve funds to keep five branches operating through the summer.

Last month, Heated Rivalry author and Nova Scotian Rachel Reid donated $300,000, one of the largest private gifts in the library’s history to help fund those same libraries in Annapolis Valley.

“The libraries have been under tremendous financial pressure, as most people are aware,” said Larkman. “We value our library incredibly here in the community. It’s an absolute hub on every level.

Larkman went on to say that the province’s current funding is “unsustainable”, and that she’s hoping to make a statement about how important the library is to the community.

She also said they want to send a message to the provincial government that they need to match the community’s energy and enthusiasm when it comes to supporting local libraries.

“We’re stepping up here on every level, and we need to see that coming back from the provincial governments side of things,” said Larkman.

Mary Armstrong is a local farmer, and the owner of the donkey that will be attending the fundraiser. Larkman says the donkey is “particularly well behaved”, and that attendees will be able to pet the donkey.

“Who says the donkey will only be outside and out front,” said Larkman. “You will have to come out to find out just where the donkey is.”

The event will be on Saturday, September 26 at 6pm. Donations will be taken at the door.

Bookshelf in library with many books

Annapolis Valley library board taps reserves to keep five branches open

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The Annapolis Valley Regional Library board has voted to use more than half of its remaining reserve funds to keep five branches operating through the summer.

Earlier this year, the library system announced plans to close branches in Hantsport, Kentville, Lawrencetown, Middleton, and Port Williams because of funding shortfalls.

At a special meeting in Wolfville, board members approved a motion to extend service at those locations until Sept. 30, using reserve funds to cover the costs.

The decision provides a temporary reprieve for the branches, which had faced potential closure amid ongoing budget pressures, originally set for July 20.

Board members also voted to renew a request to the library’s municipal funding partners for the full amount of funding originally sought. The board hopes additional financial support will allow the five branches to remain open beyond the end of September.

The Annapolis Valley Regional Library serves communities across Kings, Annapolis, and Hants counties and has warned that reserve funds are limited, making a long-term funding solution necessary to maintain service levels.

Library

‘First of its kind’ library opened in Whycocomagh

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It’s the first of its kind in Nova Scotia.

A new library has opened in Whycocomagh. A joint venture between Eastern County Regional Libraries (ECRL) and the Municipality of Inverness, according to James Fuller, the warden of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s and chair of ECRL.

“The employees are paid for by the County of Inverness, while the library, the books, the functions, the computers, are overseen by the library board,” explained Fuller.

The initiative, he said, is in a First Nation and was spearheaded by the County of Inverness.

“To their credit, they saw an area in need and approached the libraries with a unique formula,” said Fuller.

He said it is facing some scrutiny amid concerns with security around personal information in the library system, but it has been addressed and they are now “really hoping for the best.”

Other libraries struggling

According to the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Libraries (PARL) the funding formula from the province has not changed in years.

Now, PARL said they are fighting to make ends meet and are currently fundraising with The Library Fund, looking to raise $300,000.

In addition to PARL, in early June, Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) announced they were shutting down five branches due to lack of provincial funding.

Fuller said if other areas want to look at this particular venture, that will be up to their boards.

However, he’s cautiously optimistic that, “in this particular area, in this particular situation, this will be a successful venture.”

Outstanding addition

A grand opening for the Whycocomagh branch was last weekend.

Fuller said the place was packed with people, hot dogs and a “special piece of equipment” called a cube.

“A 3D printer, a vinyl sign maker all in one that is part of a pilot program coming out of Sydney,” explained Fuller. “If you want to come make a widget in the 3D printer, it would be there for you to use.”

There will also be plenty of activities planned for the future.

“It looks like [this library] is going to be an outstanding addition to that community,” said Fuller.

library fund

Pictou-Antigonish libraries launch fund to help library future

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Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library (PARL) has launched a new fundraiser to support the future of public libraries.

The branch says The Library Fund is to make sure services continue to thrive in our communities.

Public libraries are busier than ever, according to PARL, as costs continue to rise, with services, programs and resources that grow, funding pressures increase. However, core provincial funding remains unchanged since 2020.

“For the 2026-27 fiscal year alone, the regional library faces a funding gap of $140,000,” says PARL.

Marketing chair Cllr. Nicole LeBlanc says they heard “loud and clear” during their public awareness campaign in December that communities value their libraries.

“But to continue providing the materials, services, programs and hours that library users rely on, we need community support,” adds LeBlanc.

Earlier this month, Annapolis Valley Regional Libraries announced they would be closing five branches due to the lack of extra provincial funding.

The province says there is no confirmed time for the branch and Nova Scotia to meet again on the matter.

The goal of The Library Fund is to raise $300,000 by the end of the current fiscal year on March 31. If this is met, will also mean an initial investment of $160,000 in sustainability.

Donations can be made at any branch, at newly installed Donation Stations or at www.parl.ns.ca. There will also be raffles and auctions.

“Together, we can ensure that public libraries remain vibrant, accessible, and sustainable community spaces for years to come.”

Library

Kings North MLA surprised, disappointed by comments on library closures

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The MLA for Kings North said he is “surprised” and “disappointed” by the comments swirling online around the library closures in the Annapolis Valley.

The Annapolis Valley Regional Libraries (AVRL) announced Monday that due to the lack of additional funding from the province in the 2026/27 fiscal year, they would be shutting down five branches next month.

In a statement on social media, John Lohr said “deliberately false information” is being shared about the closures being the result of provincial cuts and that the province has maintained the 71 per cent they have agreed to.

“Not only has our government provided that funding, we also provided additional funding in 2023, 2024 and 2025,” said Lohr. “Last year AVRL received an extra $93,000 on top of the $1,919,600 in this agreement.”

“The province did NOT cut funding.”

Buildings set to shut down by July 20 include Hantsport, Kentville, Lawrencetown, Middleton and Port Williams.

Lohr says the decision to close these branches was made by the library board and the province has been “more than living up to the agreement and discussions were ongoing.”

In a statement on Monday, AVRL said the decision to close the locations was a “deeply difficult” one and although eight of their partner locations offered to chip in, which they were “deeply grateful” for, it was not enough.

“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,” said Lohr.

The branches that are not closing:

  • Windsor
  • Wolfville
  • Berwick
  • Kingston
  • Bridgetown
  • Annapolis Royal

For the next two weeks, all of their branches are closed as they work to restructure their operations.

-With files from Jacob Moore

Bookshelf in library with many books

Five libraries to close in Annapolis Valley due to funding issues

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Five libraries in Annapolis Vallery are shutting down because of a lack of funding.

The regional branch says it is because the government is not planning to increase their funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

All eight of their partner municipalities agreed to increase their funding next year, but they say that alone is not enough.

“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 library wrote in a news release.

Their buildings in Hantsport, Kentville, Lawrencetown, Middleton, and Port Williams will close on July 20th.

These branches are not closing:

  • Windsor
  • Wolfville
  • Berwick
  • Kingston
  • Bridgetown
  • Annapolis Royal

For the next two weeks, all of their branches are closed as they work to restructure their operations.

Our newsroom has reached out to the provincial government for additional information.

Mural project at library Apr 30 2026 (1)

History of libraries to be showcased on wall of Fort Frances Public Library

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Work will start this week on a new mural at the Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre.

The 27 ft. by 13 ft. mural will be located in the children’s section.

Local artist Lindsay Hamilton is receiving a grant from the Ontario Arts Council for the project.

She says it will focus on the history of libraries.

“The composition is going to be exploring different eras of the history of libraries, dating back to ancient times,” says Hamilton.

“And then throughout time, pivotal moments along the way that have contributed to the institution of the library that we have today.”

Hamilton says it was her own love for libraries that interested her in doing the mural and has been speaking with local library officials about it for some time.

“It’s not just my voice or my image on that wall. It’s with the help of library staff, too,” says Hamilton.

“They’ve contributed some prompts and some things that they want to see in the mural, so trying to make this as collective as it can be because that’s how the idea of the library came about was a lot of things lining up in history, along with technology and the right people in the right time that built this institute.”

An application for the grant was filed last November, with approval received in April.

Hamilton intends to devote the entire month of May to the mural, with plans to have a public unveiling of the finished product in June.

“I’ll be offering an artist talk to explore various symbols and the process of making the mural,’ says Hamilton.

“Following that, we’re hoping to offer arts-based workshops. We’re going to pull some of the symbolism or history from the mural that then can be offered to the public to come and make art in response to the mural.”

Hamilton is appreciative of the library and its staff for offering the space and the Ontario Arts Council for making the project a reality.

The public will get an opportunity to watch as the mural progresses each day.

“I just hope that people will enjoy it. It’s very meaningful for me, someone who grew up in Fort Frances and loves going to the library and appreciates the resource that it is, being able to give back a little bit to that and share that is meaningful.”

assorted-title of books piled in the shelves

Provincial Park passes available at N.B. libraries via library card

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From May 15 to Oct. 11, provincial park passes can be signed out from New Brunswick libraries using library cards.

NB Parks shared news of the opportunity via Facebook in honor of World Book Day, which is on April 22.

Passholders may check out only one pass per library card and there will be 500 available per day. Each pass is valid for up to three days from the date of check-out.

Visit the New Brunswick Public Libraries site to find your nearest library.

For more information about the opportunity, please refer to the NB Parks page.

schoolgirls looking for books in library

Thunder Bay Public Library plans free drop-in events for nearly every day in February

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The Thunder Bay Public Library is encouraging locals to pop by for free events and community gatherings throughout the month of February.

From babies to retirees, the library has something for everybody in their newly released schedule.

Programming includes weekly beading, knitting, gardening and hip-hop classes. There’s a chess club, spice club and travel club as well.

Parents of small children can enjoy programs like play days and family storytime sessions. They can also drop in for daily Discovery Club sessions, a self-guided exploration of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) concepts for children 4 and up.

Elderly locals can meet and socialize at weekly Retirement Explorers gatherings and a Seniors Coffee Chat.

On February 12, the library will offer free counselling for adults completing applications such as housing assistance. Downsizing With Care is an interactive, informative session on life skills for young adults planned for February 2.

For a full schedule of events and programming, visit the library website.

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