One of Nova Scotia’s most famous authors has stepped in to help out several of the province’s struggling libraries. Many faced a looming closing date of Sept. 30 amid major funding shortfalls. Rachel Reid, the author of the novel “Heated Rivalry,” recently donated $300,000 to the Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL), which runs 10 libraries. “I was totally stunned,” says AVRL CEO Julia Merritt. “It’s an overwhelmingly generous action and it truly is a lifeline for us at this point in time.” In a news release, Reid says, “I credit my local library for being a huge part of the reason I’m a published author today.” Her best-selling romance novel centres on two hockey players Shane and Ilya, who are rivals on the ice but secretly lovers off it. It was later developed into a Crave original series, with viewers tuning in on a global scale. Reid’s donation has become one of the most significant private gifts in AVRL’s history. While it brings them significant boost, the threatened libraries aren’t in the clear. According to Merritt, it’s a matter of buying them more time. “It just gives us more time to keep talking about the importance of public libraries in Canadian community, in Nova Scotia, and working with our government partners to really emphasize how important sustainable funding is for us,” says Merritt. The AVRL receives funding from government and municipal partners, with a significant portion coming from the provincial Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “Like everybody else, we’re struggling with the rising costs of doing business,” Merritt says, noting AVRL has only received a 10 per cent increase in sustainable funding since 2009. She says the libraries have already endured heavy mitigation efforts over the past decade. The library system has already dipped into its reserves to temporarily keep doors open. “We’ve already cut 25 per cent of our staff… we’ve gotten rid of partnerships and programs and other services that people really rely on,” she says. “We’re just not able to make it work anymore.” Reid emphasizes the importance of public libraries, calling them “community cornerstones” for their free resources, information, help and safe spaces. Merritt emphasizes this, too. “Libraries are representations of community and they’re representations of hope,” she says. “Whether that is checking out a book, whether that is getting information from the staff, getting help with technology, or government forms or meeting their friends.” Reid will also be spearheading a fundraiser and author talk on Saturday, Sept. 12 to help the libraries. It’s set to take place from noon to 3 p.m. at University Hall at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S. The ticketed event will feature an hour-long conversation, a Q&A, pre-signed books and a silent auction for Heated Rivalry items. The Acadia box office opens for sales on Thursday with tickets priced at $65. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page Crave is a division of Bell Media, which is part of BCE Inc.
