From Storytime Dad to Library Board Chair: Ayo’s Story

Halifax Public Libraries' 2024-25 Annual Report takes you on a journey—branch by branch, community by community—and starts in a place very close to my heart, Sackville Public Library.

Like many residents of the Lower Sackville area, the Library was one of the first public places my children came to know. Saturday mornings at the Library became a cherished family ritual. We would dive into the bookshelves, collect stamps through the Summer Reading Program, and leave with armfuls of stories to last the week. But, my connection to the Library goes back even further.

When I first arrived in Nova Scotia in 1998 as a newcomer, the Library was my go-to source of information. In 1999, I applied for my first job in this province at Sackville Public Library through the Community Access Program—an experience that gave me my first exposure to getting a job here, and opened the door to what would become my career. I later accepted a job at Halifax North Memorial Public Library, and the Library has been a throughline in my life ever since; as a newcomer, job seeker, staff member, parent, partner, and now, as the first person of African descent to hold the role of Halifax Regional Library Board Chair.

Today, leading the Library Board is a deeply meaningful full-circle moment. The Library shaped my life and career in ways I could never have anticipated. The more I’ve seen and learned in this role, the more humbled I am by the work of Library staff and volunteers. Across all branches, one thing is always clear—staff care deeply about the people and places they serve. They know their communities. They meet community with dedication, curiosity, and pride in what they do—no matter the challenge. That spirit is the heartbeat of the Library.

Over the past year, I’ve come to see the Library more clearly than ever as a social imperative. These spaces are not just about books—they are about belonging. The Library is where newcomers find footing, where ideas collide, where seniors gather, youth imagine, families connect, and neighbours cross paths. Libraries are places where access is not earned—it’s guaranteed. The Library is a microcosm of the society we all want to live in: equal, inclusive, and full of possibility.

As we look to the future, my hope is that everyone—citizens, governments, businesses, and communities—rallies behind the Library and all it stands for. Halifax Public Libraries is more than a service. It is a vision in motion—one that travels, grows, and evolves with its people.

This Annual Report’s road trip is more than a metaphor; it’s a reflection of how we show up in every corner of our region, bringing connection, creativity, and care to each stop along the way. I’m honoured to help guide that journey.

Sincerely,

Ayo Aladejebi
Chair
Halifax Regional Library Board

This story was originally shared as part of Halifax Public Libraries' 2024-25 Annual Report. Read the full report and explore more, here.