Thanks for being here – it’s really cool to see the library outside the library. - Community member at a meal program “It is nice to meet you in our space. It’s a better chance to get to know each other.” - Community Member at Health Clinic’s Women’s Night

Getting community input isn’t always straightforward and we have to be careful that we are listening to community members and not only service providers. Service providers may have the loudest voices, but they also may not have a true grasp of what their communities want and are bringing their own perception of what libraries DO into the conversation. Whenever possible we try to seek out opportunities to meet with individual community members. - Librarian, Halifax Public Libraries

I was contacted by a local non-profit who work with young women living in transition. They invited me to a staff meeting …a fairly typical promotional visit. I did this, but the most important part of the meeting was the discussion at the end, where they shared with me some of the barriers the women they work with experience on a daily basis, including barriers at the library. Now, over two years later, we have a well-established relationship where we collaborate to help clients navigate the library, including waiving fines and fees from cards, giving clients a fresh start. This also helps the library better understand barriers other community members may experience and we can then explore long-term solutions.” -Halifax Public Libraries staff member

“What’s the library doing here?!” - Regular library patron at a community mental health drop-in centre

This has also been a learning opportunity for me This has also been a learning opportunity for me. It has taken me out of my own comfort zone and provided me with a different perspective of the struggles that people have in life. Most inmates will be released and in order for integration to be successful, rehabilitation needs to happen otherwise, the cycle of re-incarceration continues. - Janice Fiander Halifax Public Libraries’ Books Behind Bars program

Today is a happy beginning! - teen refugee from Congo after receiving a library card at a community visit. I’ve never, ever, ever had a library card before. I always wanted one.        - community member at a meal program

At the point of community entry, we are outsiders At the point of community entry, we are outsiders. As the Community Development Librarian in Regina, I did not live in the North Central community, nor had I ever worked at the local library branch. The community residents did not know me and did not trust me. At times, this made me feel uncomfortable and isolated. It took time and patience to get past this initial feeling. Being an outsider definitely took me out of my comfort zone. I can see it being a stumbling block for many librarians. – Patti-Lynne McLeod, Community Development Librarian