The Business of Libraries

Halifax Public Libraries is a trusted place for people to turn when facing some of life’s most practical, and often most stressful, challenges.

Each spring, Library branches host Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) clinics in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency. These high-demand sessions connect trained volunteers who help prepare and file returns with eligible individuals, supporting seniors, newcomers, students, and low-income families. For many, tax season at the Library is a moment of relief, when something daunting becomes manageable thanks to welcoming, knowledgeable help

“We fill about 4,000 appointments per year,” says Branch Services Lead Diane Faulkner, who guides regional participation in the initiative. “Having access to free tax filing is a huge relief for many. Often, the cost to file, or the ability for someone to do it themselves, is a barrier to getting taxes done. When a qualified professional files their taxes, people can get connected to benefits they wouldn't otherwise see—making it a financial benefit in more than one way.” 

At Bedford Public Library, that same spirit of practical support has grown to include new, one-on-one small business start-up consultations. Launched in 2024, these sessions provide newcomers and aspiring entrepreneurs with guidance, resources, and confidence to take their first steps into Halifax’s business community.

Building trust with the business community takes time, notes Bedford Public Library’s Branch Services Lead, Julia Khodos, but the Library’s trusted role is already becoming clear. The team has reached out to business associations, promoted the service in-branch and online, and watched as people booked appointments as soon as they were announced. Most of the early requests have come from newcomers, reflecting the Library’s reputation as a safe, approachable place to ask questions and build knowledge.

Diane and the CVITP team noted an increase in newcomer Tax Clinic usage this past year as well. “While we have a large number of seniors, we’re also seeing some young people and everyone in between,” she adds. “The demand has been increasing each year and we are having trouble keeping up! Our appointments have been filling earlier and earlier each year.”

Business & Career programs such as the Small Business Café at Halifax Central Library have sparked meaningful connections, serving over 500 total attendees this past year. Julia recalls one Café event from her time at Central, where a start-up graphic designer met with a private consultant and landed their first paid project. In another instance, a seasoned entrepreneur invited a newer participant to a Halifax Chamber of Commerce networking event, helping to build professional connections. She hopes to see Bedford’s successes bloom alongside its growing population.

These stories exemplify exactly what it means to be in the business of libraries: practical, welcoming, and free for all.

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