Tiffany Bartlett, Managing Director of Colchester-East Hants Public Library, said the partnership includes eight regional libraries covering all of Nova Scotia, except Halifax Public Libraries. “Once we’re started, we’re going to serve 55 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population. “, he said. “So for our people in Colchester-East Hants, for example, that’s about 10 times what they have access to now.” The participating libraries are:
Annapolis Valley Regional Library Cape Breton Regional Library Colchester-East Hants Public Library Cumberland Public Libraries Regional Library of Eastern Prefectures Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library South Shore Public Libraries Western County Regional Library
Bartlett said restrictions on digital licensing have kept Halifax Public Libraries out of the super library, although people can still use intra-library lending to obtain books available only through the Halifax Library system. Halifax Public Libraries have stated that they will review their cooperation with the consortium as soon as Same Page is operational. The eight libraries will also share digital content via Overdrive. The new system also eliminates overdue fines, removes lending limits and automatically updates items up to three times if no one else is waiting. “This was an immediate response to the public’s request for a new library experience with as few barriers as possible,” said Eric Stackhouse, president of the Same Page consortium. “Our vision is for all Nova Scotia residents to have equal opportunities to connect to the library’s resources through a universal library card.” Users will receive a new card the next time they visit a library or can ask the library to send it.
