Nova Scotia Public Libraries Celebrate the Nation’s Anniversary with 150 Books of Influence

June 1, 2017

June 1st, 2017
MULGRAVE NS

In honour of the 150th Anniversary of Confederation, the Nova Scotia Library Association (NSLA) and Nova Scotia’s 9 Regional Public Library systems are excited to present Libraries 150, a province-wide library project celebrating Nova Scotia’s writers and citizens, ideas and attitudes, culture and environment, stories and treasures.

The cornerstone of Libraries 150 will be the compilation of 150 Books of Influence, a commemorative list of 150 books that Nova Scotians believe have influenced or defined them as a people. The titles on the list will be those books that have captured Nova Scotians’ hearts and minds; books that tell Nova Scotia’s stories and inspire its citizens.

“Canada’s 150th Anniversary is a perfect opportunity to examine and consider those books which reflect our current state as a people and province, as well as books that mark our progress over the decades since Confederation,” said NSLA President Cynthia Lelliott. “This project will memorialize the literary works of Nova Scotia, and leave a cultural legacy for future generations of readers that will be forever accessible to the public.”

This sesquicentennial project is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities Culture and Heritage’s 150 Forward Fund, and cooperation throughout Nova Scotia’s library community. One Book Nova Scotia, and the Atlantic Provinces Library Association have agreed to partner with NSLA on the project.

From late May into the summer of 2017, Nova Scotians – including the province’s 320,000 library patrons – will be asked to nominate books for the 150 Books of Influence. The nominated books can include children, youth and adult titles; fiction and non-fiction; scholarly texts; books of diversity; books in French, Gaelic, Mi’kmaq and/or English; and current and historical titles.

Nominations will be compiled and reviewed, and the 150 books selected by a committee of Library personnel from across the province. The booklist will be announced at the Word On the Street Festival in September 2017 and available thereafter to the public at their local Library. Everyone is encouraged and invited to visit 150booksns.ca and nominate a Nova Scotia book that matters to them. Or Nova Scotians can find out more about Libraries 150 activities by visiting their local Public Library.

For more information, please contact: Laura Emery, Chief Librarian and CEO, Eastern Counties Regional Library (902) 747-2597 lemery@nsme.library.ns.ca