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About NSLA > Mandate and History

The Nova Scotia Library Association was formed in 1973 as a vehicle for library workers to exchange ideas, enhance ideas, enhance skills, keep abreast of local issues and to promote the value of libraries.

In 1973, Western Counties Regional Library staff formed a Committee for a Nova Scotia Library Association. On February 11, 1973, library staff held a meeting at the Halifax County Regional Library to discuss the possibility of establishing an association. They agreed that a provincial association was needed, and would be especially important in meeting the needs of paraprofessional staff. The Nova Scotia Library Association (NSLA) had its first official meeting at Yarmouth from September 29 to October 1, 1973. NSLA was officially incorporated on April 5, 1974.

In April 1979, a committee was established to review the Association's aims and objectives, as the membership and programming of NSLA was becoming increasingly public library-oriented. At its October 1980 meeting, the Association reaffirmed the original role of the organization, with special attention to be given to the ways and means of increasing membership from types of libraries underrepresented in the Association.

In 1988, the late Ann Connor Brimer bequeathed $1000 to NSLA to assist in the development of an annual award to an author of children's books, residing in the Atlantic Provinces. At the direction of the NSLA executive, a steering committee was formed to establish parameters and administer the award. A trust fund was established to finance the award and NSLA agreed to undertake a major campaign to raise money so that the Ann Connor Brimer Award could be given on an annual basis.

Along with the Brimer award, NSLA has been involved in a number of initiatives, including the National Summit on Information Policy, the Strategic Plan for Nova Scotia Libraries, and The Partnership, an innovative network of provincial and territorial library associations across Canada. The Library Technician's Interest Group, School Library Interest Group, and Rural Services Interest Group are all part of NSLA.