WHERE WILL THE HANTSPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY BE?

(LR) Project Manager David Floyd, AVSB Member Phil Van Zoost,  and Chair of the Friends of the Hantsport Public Library (FHPL) Lorraine McQueen.

An important topic at the Committee of the Whole meeting with AVRSB Member Phil VanZoost and  the Project Manager David Floyd was the Hantsport Public Library.

The library may share space with the school library in the far left wing of the school.

Or, it may be located off the school property.




The School Board and the Annapolis Valley Regional Library will be pleased if the Hantsport Library is located elsewhere. But, with the library located in the school, there is no expense to the town.

If the library is relocated in the school, the new space will be renovated first. The books will then be be moved with minimal confusion.

Hiltz & Seamone examined the old town hall, a possible site for the library, and estimated that $189,000 would be needed to make it suitable.

It was also suggested that Council consider an interim library or a satellite library. See following post Library Building Requirements which outlins the recommendations for the ideal library.


The Project Manager needs an answer as soon as possible. Lorraine McQueen, CAO Rob Frost,  and Mayor Rob Zwicker agreed that council will hold a special meeting to discuss the future location of the library. McQueen suggested that the town might ask Scotia Investments if it is interested in divesting itself of any of its buildings which might be suitable for a library.

 SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL WITH FHPL - THURS. , 11 AM, TOWN HALL.

Library Building Requirements*

·       Minimum 2,500 square feet on one floor

·       Floor loading to support the weight of materials and shelving at 150 lbs per sq. ft

·       Shelving for up to 10,000 items (9,800 items are currently assigned to the Hantsport Library excluding magazines) Collection space at 10 volumes per sq. ft.

·       Circulation desk, seating and tables

·       Lighting standards of 30 - 70 foot candles for reading and studying

·       Clear sightlines for staff so they can effectively monitor public spaces

·       Barrier-free physical access with ramps, doors and walkways for all users

·       Wheelchair accessible washroom

·       Program Room of a minimum of 300 sq. ft.

·       Parking for users and staff

·       Adequate external lighting to ensure the safety of users and staff

·       Technology infrastructure to support phone, internet, and electrical demands

·       Heating, cooling, and ventilation system to ensure humidity control to prevent damage to books

·       Prominent and regularly services fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and exit signs

·       A location that is near the centre of Town  with external visibility

·       A dedicated library entrance would be ideal

*Taken from Standards for Nova Scotia Regional Public Libraries