Halifax Central Library has always been more than just a building—it’s a beacon of connection, conversation, and community for the entire municipality. As Halifax Public Libraries’ largest and busiest branch, Halifax Central Library stands as a hub where new ideas are tested, diverse voices are heard, and innovative programs often take shape before spreading across the region. The vibrant mix of people and activities under its roof, mirrors what happens at all of the branches: gathering people together, creating safe spaces, and offering programs that respond to our communities’ evolving needs.
In 2024–25, Halifax Public Libraries continued to offer programs across the system that meet people where they are—emotionally, socially, and personally. At Halifax Central Library, those offerings shine in scale and variety. The Hear Me Out series with CBC brought authors, musicians, and community voices together for thoughtful conversations, while ongoing peer support groups such as UNtoxicated Queers, Holding Space: A Men’s Wellness Group, and Death Cafés provided space for connection around some of life’s most complex topics. These groups, like our Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia caregiver sessions and other partnerships, often take place at other branches across the municipality—ensuring that no matter where you live, there’s a welcoming door to walk through.
For caregivers in particular, these programs offer a vital lifeline: safe places to share experiences, find resources, and know they are not alone. The impact of these gatherings is measured not only in the number of events hosted, but in the trust and relationships built over time. They reflect a broader truth: libraries are among the few places where people feel confident expressing their views, trusting staff to listen and respond.
“Our customers are highly invested in the programs and services we offer,” says Zso, Branch Services Lead at Halifax Central Library. “They feel confident in expressing their views and do so with the expectation that we will listen and respond to their satisfaction. There are so few venues where this is possible in our society; I think it’s important that the Library consistently demonstrates this trusted relationship with our community.”
This year also marked Halifax Central Library’s 10th anniversary—a milestone that invited reflection on how far we’ve come. Many staff still remember the emotional closing of the Spring Garden Memorial Public Library in 2014 and the joy of welcoming the public to Central for the first time.
“On the opening day, staff lined the walkways and clapped as the public entered,” recalls Christina Covert. “It wasn’t planned—it just happened, and then the public started clapping back. It was such an emotional moment.”
Susan James remembers the excitement vividly: “Seeing the crowd waiting outside and the joy as they entered—it’s a memory I’ll never forget.”
For Teresa Wooshue, the experience is still moving: “Halifax Central Library feels alive with people… I love seeing kids come in and get their first library card or watching visitors’ eyes light up when they realize all the resources we offer for free.”
That sense of vibrancy continues every day. Students spread out with laptops and coffee, newcomers practice English with conversation partners, parents chase toddlers between shelves, and neighbours meet up to share ideas over a cup of tea. In every corner, people from different walks of life cross paths, and the staff are there to meet them where they are—whether that means finding the perfect book, offering a quiet space, troubleshooting technology, or simply listening.
For Zso, one of the most powerful examples of Central’s impact came from a regular participant in the Creative Studio DIY sessions. The community member, a devoted aunt, spent weeks creating a handmade ice-cream-themed outfit for her niece—embroidering sprinkles, sewing a purse shaped like a cone, and returning to share updates with staff and fellow participants. The joy she felt in celebrating her finished gift showed how the Studio had become more than a place to craft—it was a bridge between her family life, her creativity, and her community.
“Building relationships between Library staff and our customers has become incredibly complicated in 2025, but we can’t and don’t shirk our responsibility to navigate these relationships with compassion and professionalism,” Zso reflects. “We balance the sometimes-competing interests of diverse patrons sharing a large facility. And we welcome customers who may have few options for accessing a safe, comfortable space. Our knowledgeable and well-trained staff consistently provide service with care, fearlessly meeting the unique challenges that we encounter in a modern, urban public library every day.”
Halifax Central Library is where conversations spark, where people discover new confidence, and where our vision of inclusion comes vividly to life. Whether it’s hosting a public talk that broadens perspectives, supporting a peer group that builds belonging, or simply providing space for someone to be heard, Halifax Public Libraries continues to embody the principle that free, welcoming spaces can change lives.
This story was originally shared as part of Halifax Public Libraries' 2024-25 Annual Report. Read the full report and explore more, here.
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