Province Supports Canso Library Resource Centre Opening

Residents in Canso will now have better access to learning and literacy resources with the opening of a new local library resource centre.

The resource centre was supported by a $76,000 provincial investment. The province also provides operating funding of $717,000 to the Eastern Counties Regional Library board, which manages and operates the Canso Library and six other branch libraries across Inverness, Richmond and Guysborough counties.

"We are proud that this investment ensured a cornerstone of this community was able to be preserved, promoting further development of this important rural area of our province," said Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris. "Through jobsHere, the plan to grow our economy, we are investing in every region of the province, creating conditions for good jobs and economic growth."

Through the Provincial Library, the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage also provides regional libraries with Internet connectivity and supports programs and initiatives that help regional library boards provide excellent local service.

"We are pleased to continue to provide annual operating grants and ongoing support to the library boards, who along with support from their municipal councils, ensure the community library is open for all to enjoy," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson.

The library society was able to expand its building to accommodate more programming and be more accessible. It can now accommodate several community initiatives such as the Social Women's Group, the Computer Access Centre, Children's Story Hour and senior groups.

"Dreams can come true," Renee Albrecht, chair of the Canso Library Resource Society. "The new Library and Resource Centre in Canso has become a reality and will provide citizens a place to learn and enhance the sense of community that is so important to our town and surrounding area."

Funding for the program comes from the Community Development Fund, which assists regional areas and rural communities with local planning and entrepreneurship. It helps develop co-operatives and projects to ensure sustainable communities across Nova Scotia.