When you visit us again, expect things at your local Library branch to be a little different than before. Check out this video for more information on what to expect.

Easy-to-follow signage and decals will be posted at all branches to help everyone navigate our spaces. To allow for physical distancing, some areas in a branch may look different than before. Library staff can assist with any questions when you arrive.

There may be a wait time to enter a Library branch depending on the size of the building and the amount of people using the space. Please follow signs and any directions from Library staff. We ask that you be mindful of your time, as other community members may be waiting.

If you would like more information before you visit a location, get in touch with Ask the Library.

The province of Nova Scotia requires masks to be worn in most indoor spaces beginning July 31, 2020. If you need a mask when you visit the Library, just ask a staff member.

For holds that were on our shelves before the Library closure, you will be notified via phone or email with information on how to pick your item(s) up through Curbside Pick-up.

For picking up new holds through Curbside Pick-up, please follow signage instructions at your local branch when you arrive to pick-up items.

Exterior signage will be posted at Curbside Pick-up with guidelines on how to receive your items. Please follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of yourself and our staff.

Click here for more information on Curbside Pick-up.

As of Tuesday, June 23, all branch Book Drops are open to accept returns. 

Physical items (books, instruments, etc.) checked out before July 7, 2020 will be due back by August 4.

Physical items borrowed on July 7 and after, will loan for the same period of time as before the closure – 21 days for most items, and 7 days for DVDs, Rapid Read books, and other high-demand items.​ Please visit this page for a full list of loan periods.

As of July 3, you can once again place holds on physical items in our collection.

As we reintroduce Library services, such as placing holds on physical items, we appreciate your patience as we get our collection back into circulation. Borrowing processes may take longer than usual to allow for staff and public safety measures.

Residents of Nova Scotia can register here for a temporary, digital library card. This will give you access to our collection and E-Library tools.

Digital cards will expire 6 weeks after after July 7 (August 18). Visit or call the Library by August 18 to either get a physical card or to make your digital card permanent.

As we reintroduce Library services, such as placing holds on physical items, we appreciate your patience as we get our collection back into circulation. Borrowing processes may take longer than usual to allow for staff and public safety measures.

Changes to your borrowed items under "My Account" (for example, when items are checked in) may take extra time to update while our staff safely handle and process items. If you have any questions, connect with Ask the Library.

Private room bookings are not being accepted at this time. All cancelled room bookings will be refunded in full.  As we continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks, a member of our staff will be in contact with you soon about your room booking.

Note: For future bookings, adjustments may need to be done that reflect recommendations from public health. Library staff will work with you to ensure the booking aligns with our current health and safety protocols.

Study Rooms

Book in Advance

Cole Harbour Public Library and Woodlawn Public Library have study rooms available to book in advance. Please call the branch for more information.

Same-day Bookings

You can book a same-day study room at Halifax Central Library.  Study room capacity is limited to four people and masks must be worn. Please visit the Welcome Desk at Central Library or call 902-490-5706 to book.

Please check our What's On calendar for up to date information on Library programs and events.

October 2020 Update

The Library has begun offering selected in-person programs that follow the health and safety guidelines set out by Public Health. These include outdoor events​, learning programs such as Adult Literacy and English Language Learning, and small group gatherings.  

We are working diligently to learn and adapt how the Library offers in-person programs in our spaces. The Library's goal is to expand in-person program offerings in the coming months. You will start to new types of programs emerge in response to our updated service model, along with some programs you may be familiar with from the past. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

The health and safety of our community and staff is our top priority. When you visit us again, we ask that you follow recommendations from public health that will help keep you and others healthy.

High-touch surfaces such as desks, self-check machines, computers, and doors, will be frequently sanitized. Depending on the library branch, sanitizing of self-check machines or shared technology may be done by community members before use by using supplied sanitizing wipes.

All washroom cleaning frequency has increased.

By being diligent and thoughtful with our actions when following health and safety guidelines, we will all be doing our part to help protect each other.

The Province of Nova Scotia provides recommendations on how to protect yourself and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

We recommend that you quarantine Library materials for at least 24 hours once you take them home.

Community members can borrow technology items such as Chromebooks and iPads for a 2-hour loan period with their library card. These items do not need to be quarantined when borrowed. Library staff will ask borrowers to sanitize the item upon check-out. Sanitizing wipes will be available to use. Technology items will be sanitized by staff when they have been returned.

Library staff follow public health recommendations when handling items which includes frequently washing their hands and frequently sanitizing work stations.

Various in-person services will be reintroduced in stages as we move forward, and may look different at each branch. Check our Locations page for specific information for your local branch.

Community members can borrow items such as Chromebooks and iPads for a 2-hour loan period with their library card. These items can be taken outside a library branch and returned at the end of the 2-hour loan period.

Library staff will ask borrowers to sanitize the item upon check-out. Sanitizing wipes will be available to use. Technology items will be sanitized by staff when they have been returned.

We ask that you follow recommendations from public health that will help keep you and others healthy when using these items.

The following resources have been available to use at home while library branches closed to public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Ancestry Library Edition
  • Available from home until December 31, 2020.
• PressReader
• Public Library Video Online

We will provide updates if any changes occur for accessing these resources from home.