State-of-the-Art Library Opens in Antigonish

A community-designed, state-of-the-art public library is adding to the already exceptional quality of life in Antigonish.

The Antigonish Town and County Library will have its official opening Sunday, after a decade of consultation with local, provincial and federal government partners.

"I was pleased to visit the library while I was in Antigonish this week. It's a wonderful place, and has already become a vital part of the community," said Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister John MacDonell.

"It is a great example of the kind of thing we can accomplish when communities and the province work together. It's facilities like this that help keep our communities great."

The province contributed $1.5 million towards the $5.5-million cost of the new library. The Provincial Library also provided a $15,000 special grant for a self-service checkout and holds locker, the first of its kind in a rural public library in Nova Scotia.

"This is a place for the community to gather and strengthen their relationships," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson. "This amazing new space realizes the community's dream and contributes to a better life for families in the Antigonish area."

The new library was built on the Project for Public Spaces model that emphasizes community involvement in the design process. Consultations were held with residents, artists, architects and special interest groups to develop a community-focused facility.

In addition to library services, there is also a Community Access Program site, meeting and program spaces, a permanent home for the Antigonish County Adult Learning Association, a community kitchen for cooking classes and an outdoor patio.

The environmentally friendly library incorporates geo-thermal heating and cooling, rain water harvesting and solar power. It also has almost two dozen works of art including a mural by Mi'kmaq artist Alan Syliboy titled The Dream Canoe.

The project was funded by the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, the Town of Antigonish, the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, the community, Friends of the Antigonish Library and the provincial and federal governments.

For more information, visit www.peoplesplace.ca .