Author: Sarah Wood

April 11, 2022: For Immediate Release

Beginning April 21, many Nova Scotians will notice a big difference in how they access their public library.

A consortium of eight of the nine regional libraries has created a new online service called “Same Page”. Same Page will provide access to almost a million items, including eBooks, magazines, audiobooks, learning materials, and much more. Library users will be able to manage their accounts better, request materials, keep track of their reading, and find suggestions on what to read next.

“This was in direct response to public demand for a new library experience with as few barriers as possible,” explains Eric Stackhouse, Chair of the Same Page consortium. “Our vision is for all Nova Scotians to have equal opportunity to connect to library resources through a universal library card.” The eight regional libraries represent library users outside of Halifax Regional Municipality, over fifty percent of the population. This approach is in keeping with the overall tradition of Nova Scotia Public Library service, to offer the best and most cost-effective service through cooperation and efficiency. Same Page was made possible through funding from the Province of Nova Scotia’s Culture Innovation Fund.

Work started in 2019 to simplify borrowing rules, eliminate overdue fees, combine collections, and develop a library card that can be used anywhere in the eight library regions. Working in close cooperation with the Nova Scotia Provincial Library, our government partner in library service, the Same Page project was kept on track and on budget despite pandemic-related delays.

To begin using Same Page on April 21, simply go to your local public library website or www.samepagens.ca and choose the regional library where you live. Your current library card will continue to work, but over time, people will be provided with a new Same Page branded card that will allow access any of the eight regional library systems. There is no cost for a library card, and as always, your public library is free to use.

For an interview, or to discuss this release, please contact:

Eric Stackhouse Chair, Same Page Library Consortium Chief Librarian, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library estackhouse@parl.ns.ca

Tiffany Bartlett Chief Executive Officer, Colchester-East Hants Public Library tbartlett@cehpubliclibrary.ca

Updated March 2, 9:40am:

Free COVID rapid antigen tests are available to pick up at the Library once more! 

What you need to know

We want you to have a safe and positive experience when picking up your rapid test kit.

• Available during open hours. You can pick up a test kit anytime during open hours. Find a location near you. If you’re travelling to a branch, please call ahead of time to ensure that kits are in-stock.
• Wear a mask when picking up your kit.
• One kit (or bundle) per person, please.
• Tests should not be taken inside the Library. 

Are you feeling sick? If yes, please stay home and complete Nova Scotia Health’s self-assessment tool or call 811. And when you’re at your Library, please remember to remain physically distanced from staff and other community members.

Limited but regular supplies

A new supply will arrive regularly, and each branch’s stock will fluctuate. Library staff cannot take appointments or reserve kits for you. Please call your branch ahead of time to ensure that kits are available.

Pop-Up, Pick Up

With test kits back in our branches, our drive-thru pick-up service has been suspended at this time. Thank you for all of your support!

Do you need help with preparing your income tax return? The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program provides eligible community members with the opportunity to have their tax returns done free of charge.

Am I eligible for help?

You may be eligible for help at a free tax clinic if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. In general, you have a modest income if based on your family size, your total family income is less than the amount shown in the chart below.

The chart below shows the requirements to take part in a free tax clinic.

Suggested income levels
Family size	Total family income
1 person	$35,000
2 persons	$45,000
3 persons	$47,500
4 persons	$50,000
5 persons	$52,500
More than 5 persons	$52,500 plus $2,500 for each additional person

Simple tax situation

In general, your tax situation is simple if you have no income or if your income comes from these sources:

• employment
• pension
• benefits such as Canada Pension Plan, disability, employment insurance, social assistance
• registered retirement savings plans (RRSP’s)
• support payments
• scholarships, fellowships, bursaries or grants
• interest (under $1,000)

Your tax situation is not simple if you:

• are self-employed or have employment expenses
• have business or rental income and expenses
• have capital gains or losses
• have filed for bankruptcy
• are completing a tax return for a deceased person

Branches offering the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

Branch	Details
Elmsdale	Starts March 1. Tax returns can be dropped off during open hours.
Stewiacke	Starts March 1. Tax returns can be dropped off during open hours.
Truro	Starting March 3, tax returns to be completed can be dropped off at the police side entrance of the Library during the following timeslots: Tuesdays: 2:30pm-5:30pm Thursdays: 1:30pm-4:30pm

Questions? Call your local branch today for more information.

February is African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia! The 2022 African Heritage Month theme, Through Our Eyes: The Voices of African Nova Scotians, recognizes the legacies of people of African descent through first voice, lived realities, and experiences.

The theme highlights that when we listen to others’ perspectives, interpretation, and views on the world, particularly those from marginalized communities, we will gain a more meaningful understanding on how to make our world a better place.

Did you know that Nova Scotia has over 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities with history dating back over 400 years? African Heritage Month provides another opportunity to celebrate and promote the culture, legacy, achievements and contributions of people of African descent in Nova Scotia, past and present. Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Events at CEHPL

• Feb 7-Feb 12 – Crafts Around the World: Ghana
• Feb 9 – Virtual Tour: Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
• Feb 16 – Maritime Centre for African Dance
• Feb 24 – Author Reading with Lindsay Ruck, author of Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians

Recommended Reads

• Memoirs, Biographies, and Stories by African Nova Scotians
• Poetry by African Nova Scotians
• Movers and Shakers: Video Collection
• African Heritage Month on hoopla

Resources

African Nova Scotian Affairs

Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia

Proud of Our History

The Struggle of Blacks in Cape Breton

El Jones performs her powerful poem for Emancipation Day

Menelik Hall Association – Whitney Pier

Here’s a novel idea– join the CEHPL Winter Reading Program!

About the Winter Reading Program

The more books you read, the more chances you have to win great prizes (including a Samsung Galaxy Tab A)! The program runs from January 31 to March 5 and all ages are welcome to join. Get your mitts on a good book!

How to Participate

• No registration is required– simply checkout Library materials between January 31-March 5.
• You receive one ballot for every checkout.
• Use our Digital Library? No problem! Complete your checkout via Libby/OverDrive, hoopla, or RBDigital, and then email us at info@cehpubliclibrary.ca with your name and phone number/email to receive your ballot entry.

Questions? Call your local branch today for more information.

Updated: Fri, Feb 18, 3:40pm

We’re excited to announce rapid test kits will be available at various community drive-thru pick-up sites. It’s Pop-Up, Pick-Up! Rapid test kits are available for people without symptoms.

Why Community Pop-Ups? With the reintroduction of physical distancing and reduced occupancy limits, we are unable to safely distribute kits in-branch or via Library Take-Out. There will be no kits available at CEHPL locations.

Future pop-up dates are dependent on supply. This page will be updated each week.

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Pop-Up, Pick-Up Schedule: Week of Feb 21

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• Please do not arrive at the pop-up more than 5 minutes before it opens.
  
• When you arrive at the pop-up, please remain masked and in your vehicle. A staff member will bring the test kit out to you.
  
• Supplies are limited. Kits are limited to two per person, with each kit containing two rapid tests. No exceptions will be made.
  
• Our pop-up staff will stay at the pick-up location while supplies last. Want to stay updated? Follow our Facebook page.
  
• Thank you to our municipal partners for their support with this initiative: Municipality of Colchester, Municipality of East Hants, Town of Stewiacke, and Town of Truro.
  
• Can’t make it to one of our Pop-Ups? Visit the NS Health Rapid Testing page for their upcoming dates and locations.

On Thursday, December 30, Stewiacke Library’s open hours will be a bit different from the usual:

10am-2:30pm: Open for Library Take-Out only. Call the branch to place your holds.
2:30-3:30pm: Closed
3:30-8pm: Open for regular service

Thank you for your understanding!

Holiday Hours

This month, our Library open hours are a bit different:

• Friday, December 24 – Closing at 1:00pm
• Saturday, December 25 – Closed
• Sunday, December 26 – Closed
• Monday, December 27 – Closed
• Tuesday, December 28 – Closed*
• Friday, December 31 – Closing at 1:00pm
• Saturday, January 1 – Closed

*Truro Library is open between 10am-8pm on Tuesday, December 28.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Update: Dec 21 10:00am:

All branches of the Colchester-East Hants Public Library are out of Take-Home COVID-19 rapid testing kits and our role as pick-up location has been paused. We’ll let you know if or when we will be distributing take-home tests once more. Thank you for your patience and understanding with our staff. If you need further information about COVID-19 or testing, please visit the NS Government website here: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/

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To help keep gatherings safe over the holidays, public libraries across the province will partner with Nova Scotia Public Health to distribute free Covid-19 rapid test kits. Call your local Library to confirm availability.

These kits are intended for personal, asymptomatic use and are limited to one per person (ages 3+). Each kit contains five rapid tests. Supplies are limited, and only 1 or 2 members of the same household should get a kit.

Once completed, rapid tests provide results in just 15 minutes! Anyone with a positive result needs to self-isolate and book a PCR test at a testing site to confirm the result.

A Library card is not required to pick up the test kits.

Other ways to get tested for Covid-19 include:

Booking a test online if you have symptoms https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
Getting an asymptomatic test at mobile units or pop-up sites: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-rapid-testing
Getting a test for travel purposes https://www.nshealth.ca/i-need-covid-test-travel

October is Mi’kmaq History Month. Learn about and reflect on Mi’kmaq history and culture.

Featured Events

Sept 13 – Oct 25: Art Exhibit: Gerald Gloade

• In-person at Truro Library: Gerald R. Gloade is an artist and educator who is currently the Program Development Officer for the Mi’kmawey Debert Project based in Truro, Nova Scotia. He is passionate about sharing his culture and history in the landscape and environment of Mi’kma’ki with audiences of all ages.

Oct 16: Medicine Pouch Workshop

• Online via Zoom. First Nations author and artisan Theresa Meuse joins us for an Indigenous Medicine Pouch workshop. Ages 7+

Oct 23: Basket Weaving Demonstration

• Online via Zoom. Join Mi’kmaq elder Becky Julian for a traditional basket weaving demonstration. She will show us how the basket is made and the materials that are used. All ages.

Recommended Reads

Mi’kmaq History Month Booklist

Truth and Reconciliation Booklist: Residential Schools in Canada

Online Resources

• Official Mi’kmaq History Month 2021 Poster: The design explores Mi’kmaw treaty-making, the Covenant Chain of Treaties, and facts about key treaties and their protectors.
• Mi’kmaq History Month Videos