Our statement on the potential library closures in Nova Scotia

As the Director of Research & Advocacy for the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, I am writing to express my concern about the closure of five library branches within the Annapolis Valley Regional Library system. As the Library Board has stated, the current level of provincial funding, which has not increased since 2020, is insufficient to sustain operations. 

Libraries, like community centres, church halls, cafés, and other gathering places are part of the social infrastructure that proactively supports the healthcare system by promoting prevention and well-being across generations. As an organization, we are particularly concerned about the impact these closures will have on seniors. Many older adults rely on libraries as safe and accessible places to socialize, access information, use technology, attend programs, and remain connected to their communities. These are all activities that the Society and the medical community in general actively encourage and promote as material ways to reduce the risk of dementia. At a time when social isolation and loneliness among seniors are recognized as significant public health concerns, reducing access to these spaces significantly undermines collaborative and systems-based efforts to support healthy aging and community well-being. 

From an organizational perspective, we know that libraries are invaluable for our programming and to those living with dementia and their caregivers.  As champions of the Dementia Friendly Communities program, our goal is to create inclusive spaces where people with dementia can feel welcomed and seen. One of our first steps was to reach out to local libraries and invite them to join the initiative. Libraries are natural gathering spaces; they form communities where people are welcome and can gather without judgement or stigma in the face of a dementia diagnosis or other health conditions.  

We also host Dementia Friendly Connections Cafes in various public libraries, which are part of the broader Memory Cafés concept. Memory Cafes are designed to be safe, engaging, and welcoming gatherings for people with dementia and their caregivers. Libraries are an ideal place for people to nurture brain health while building community with other care partners and others experiencing different stages of memory loss. For many, a trip to the library is not just an opportunity to borrow materials; it is a chance to enter a community space where you are welcomed, valued, and appreciated.  

For vulnerable communities, such as people living with and impacted by dementia, the loss of a community library does not simply mean a longer commute to the next branch; it means a loss of programs, services, community support, and human connections that are vital to wellbeing. It is devastating that these closures will impact the rural Annapolis Valley region, which is a place where services are not plentiful for people living with dementia and other health conditions, and where library spaces serve as lifelines for rural Nova Scotians. Additionally, for people living with dementia, a disruption in routine can be incredibly distressing and hard to navigate; for those who have incorporated these branches into their daily lives, this loss will be acutely painful. 

As an organization, we also recognize that municipal governments already make substantial investments in maintaining these community assets. They should not be expected to carry additional financial responsibility resulting from provincial austerity. Rather, provincial funding should continue and be increased as required, serving as a catalyst that enables communities to thrive, rather than a limiting factor that forces difficult decisions about closures and service reductions. 

We urge the province to reconsider its approach to library funding and to align funding decisions with a view of libraries as vital components of community infrastructure that contribute directly to Nova Scotians' social, cultural, educational, and health outcomes. The loss of these spaces will be felt most acutely by those who need these services and have the fewest alternatives, including seniors, those living with dementia and their care providers, rural and low-income residents, and individuals seeking connection and support within their communities. 

Thank you for considering these concerns. 

Sincerely, 

Sacha Nadeau
Director of Research and Advocacy