A special thanks to Tricia Schell, Community Services Librarian for preparing this incredible introduction and guide to our local libraries!
Welcome to the neighbourhood!
... And welcome to your local library, we are so very glad to meet you.
Your public library in Pictou & Antigonish Counties is one of nine Regional Public Library systems in Nova Scotia. The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library (PARL) has 7 library branches, and a Books-by-Mail service for our rural library patrons. PARL’s seven branches are located in the downtown areas of Antigonish, New Glasgow, Trenton, Stellarton, Westville, Pictou and the village of River John.
You can pick up a FREE library card at any one of our branch locations, or by calling Library Headquarters (1(902)755-6031 or toll-free 1(866)779-7761), or filling out the online application form too. We have two types of library card, children’s (for people under 14 years), and adult for folks that are ages 14+. The typical borrowing period is 3-weeks for each item, unless it is a special item (like the Fun Fit Passes, or snowshoes, etc.) – and you are allowed to borrow up to 50 items (including up to 6 movie DVDs!) (FYI - Overdue fines are just 20 per day, up to a grand total of $2.00 per item ... and if you are 65 years+, there are no overdue fines at all!)
The Regional Library offers 120+ FREE library programs per month (all shapes and sizes)! And the library also partners with many community groups too. We have programs for the very young, to the young-at-heart! For full details on all our programs and events, please visit our PARLevents calendar. Our library rooms are also available for free, for use by the community (for not-for-profit purposes) -when not in use by the library. For more details, please enquire at your local library.
Dropping by the library, we have FREE public access computers, printers, FAX, scanners ... and some 3D printers too (in our Makerspaces in New Glasgow, Westville, River John and Antigonish). Please note, a small fee is charged per printed, or FAXed item to cover the costs of the materials used.
We have jigsaw puzzles, PLAY Packs, Nordic Walking Poles, Walkabout pedometers, GPS, Autism Sensory Play Kits (Autism tools – Fidget, Sensory, Visual kits) – all FREE to borrow, like a book – with your library card. In addition, each of our libraries have LEGOs, big wooden building blocks, board games for you to drop in and play with - and Light Therapy Lamps available in a cozy corner, for patrons to try out and chase away the seasonal blues.
Online, with your library card – we have a number of great electronic resources that you can access from home, such as Rocket Languages, TumbleBooks, digital magazines, Chilton Auto Repair, NovaStory.ca, OverDrive downloadable eBooks & Audiobooks. And at the library, you can login into Ancestry.ca. The New Glasgow library is also home to the Pictou County Roots Society, our Heritage Room and our a Heritage & Reference Library Clerk.
The library is print accessible! We have access to the CELA and NNELS collections for patrons with print disabilities. PARL also has a community-funded program to loan accessible reading devices on long-term (when available). If you may be interested, please contact the Books-By-Mail service at Regional Library Headquarters.
Looking for a new book, author to read or a research topic? Check out our Readers Café online for some helpful tips, or drop by the library – we love to talk about books! Wondering what is going on in the local area, or other programs and services? Feel free to drop by and chat with our friendly staff, in addition - each library carries copies of our local newspapers, and has a Community Bulletin Board, and we have the Newcomers Welcome Centre online navigator too.
See you soon, at the library!