New Kentville Library

We’re Reaching an Important Planning Stage

Michael Gabriel — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:06:20 +0000

The community group spearheading the planning, fund raising, and construction of a new library centre for Kentville area, has entered a stage of critical discussion with the Town of Kentville and with groups representing development options from within the non-profit and business communities.

Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society will meet with council members and town staff on Tuesday, Oct. 12, and with Kentville’s community development organization on Wednesday, Oct. 20. More public discussion is planned for later in the fall.

“We are at a critical crossroads regarding the potential character and size of this important community project.” said the Friends’ chair, Ginny Evans.

She told Kentville Town Council, “we must strike a balance between what the community is telling us they need in terms of library and other community services, and what is attractive and viable for fund raising purposes, as well as what is sustainable in terms of support from municipal governments.”

Evans said that consensus with Kentville and the County of Kings is now required because the library centre will serve a distinct regional audience.

The Friends’ secretary, Jen Bolt, told the Kentville town council that provincial and federal support will be easier to secure if the project serves diverse needs within the community and also meets government goals in terms of economic or cultural values. The ability of FOLKS to attract donations from individuals and businesses will expand significantly with a concept that goes beyond a library-only.

Important goals have been achieved by The Friends, said Bolt, including; selection and confirmation of a beautiful river site in the former DAR downtown rail property, preliminary plans by a world-renown Nova Scotia architect, development of a solid Business Plan, and a series of well-attended public planning workshops to determine community priorities.

The Friends have in the past few years held discussions with several regional non-profit organizations regarding potential partnership in an expanded community centre concept. Evans said she hoped that other organizations would, in the next month or so, step forward with potential regional services and space-sharing ideas for the new centre.

“This is a rare opportunity for Kentville and area and we want to talk with community leaders and possible stakeholders to explore ideas of maximizing economic, social, and cultural impacts,” said Evans.

“It has to be an absolutely fabulous library, first of all, but it may have to be more than just a library in order to compete for scarce public and private dollars.”

Kentville Library is currently housed in an old problem-plagued building, with serious structural and potential environmental problems, next door to the County of Kings building on Cornwallis Avenue. Despite physical limitations, the library has this year experienced dramatic increases in public use of its services and programs, but has had to cancel programs due to lack of space.

Under provincial legislation, municipal governments are responsible for paying per-capita grants to the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, which in turn, provides the operating budget for its branch libraries. The various Valley municipal units are also responsible for providing and maintaining the respective library buildings in each town.

For further information, contact: Ginny Evans (evanscg@eastlink.ca) or Jennifer Bolt (jennifer@redlettercounsel.com).

Let’s build a new library, together

Michael Gabriel — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:22:32 +0000

The Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society is an enthusiastic, progressive, committed community group, which has recently formed and registered as a non-profit society for the express purpose of building a new, full service library in Kentville. We’re a diverse group of citizens working toward a common goal that we feel will bring additional prosperity, opportunity, and energy to Kentville and Kings County: a beautiful, modern new library! Come join us as a donor or volunteer and help us with this exciting project! Visit the Contact page for details.

Friends’ News Update

Michael Gabriel — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:01:59 +0000

There has been much happening since our last post. Some of the main items include:

Frances Schagen has stepped down as Chair. The Board will publicly recognize her contribution at our AGM.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Monday, September 20, 6:30 PM at the Kentville Public Library.
Our new executive is now:
- Ginny Evans: Chair
- Andy Montgomery: Vice Chair/Treasurer
- Jennifer Bolt: Secretary

We thank Frances Schagen for her commitment to the project and for her contribution to progress so far.

We invite you to stay tuned for more news, events and information regarding The Friends!

Hupmans close out Summer Concert Series

Michael Gabriel — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:42:15 +0000

: Ryan Hupman of the Hupman Brothers in Kentville (photo: Fred Sgambati)

The Hupman Brothers, Ryan (above) and Scott (below), closed out the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society’s highly successful Summer Concert Series Sept. 11 with a boisterous show that had audience-goers tapping their toes and stamping their feet. The Hupmans had opened the series in mid-June and rounded it out in fine style, delighting the many fans who turned out to hear a pair of great local musicians and support the Friends’ efforts to site and build a new library in Kentville.

Scott Hupman of the Hupman Brothers in Kentville (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Al Bernard works his magic on Kentville

Michael Gabriel — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:24:43 +0000

Al Bernard conjures a magical atmosphere at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Magician Al Bernard was the penultimate act Sept. 4 in The Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society’s Summer Concert Series. He took charge of Centre Square in downtown Kentville and kept the audience guessing all night with his superb sleight-of-hand and showmanship skills. Bernard told the crowd he had done over 10,000 magic shows in his career and he commended the Friends’ group for its efforts to site and build a new library in the town.

Magician Al Bernard at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

The Valley Voices Ring Out in Centre Square

Michael Gabriel — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:55:35 +0000

The Valley Voices performing at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

The Valley Voices, a ladies barbershop chorus under the direction of Teresa Weatherbee, sang their hearts out Friday, Aug. 28 at Centre Square in Kentville in support of the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society. The group performed as part of the Society’s Summer Concert Series, which continues Friday, Sept. 4 with magician extraordinaire Al Bernard taking centre stage at Centre Square with a family-friendly show. The fun begins at 7 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Teresa Weatherbee, director of The Valley Voices, a women's barbershop chorus (photo: Fred Sgambati)

The Valley Voices, performing at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Rose Folks Rocks Centre Square

Michael Gabriel — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:08:38 +0000

Rose Folks performs to an appreciative audience at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Rose Folks and the Big Deal brought a pop-rock sound to Centre Square in Kentville Friday night as part of the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Summer Concert Series. Folks and accompanist John Hayward ran through a spirited set that included old and new tunes.

Next up in the Summer Concert Series Aug. 28 is the Valley Voices ladies’ barbershop chorus based in Kentville. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Rose Folks and The Big Deal at Kentville's Centre Square, Aug. 21 (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Mike Aube at Kentville’s Centre Square August 14

Michael Gabriel — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:55:08 +0000

: Mike Aube performs at Centre Square, Kentville (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Singer/songwriter Mike Aube showcased music from his new album Cluster Folk, which will be released Aug. 29, 8 p.m. at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville, during his concert at Centre Square in Kentville Friday, Aug. 14 in support of the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society. Aube, with bassist Rocket D’Eon, gave a spirited show that featured some covers, songs from his 2006 CD ‘Aberdeen Street’ and even a children’s tune for the young people in the audience. It was part of the Friends’ Summer Concert Series, which continues with a variety of talented performers. Showtime is 7 p.m. Friday evenings at Centre Square, Kentville.

Mike Aube performs at Kentville's Centre Square (photo: Fred Sgambati)

Kentville Swings!

Michael Gabriel — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:19:50 +0000

Kelly Ells, leader of the Downtown Swing Band, in Kentville

The Downtown Swing Band was in fine form Friday, July 31 at Centre Square in support of the Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society. The 16-member group, led by Kelly Ells (blowing saxophone, right) hit all the right notes and thrilled a large and appreciative crowd as part of the Friends’ Summer Concert Series. The Series continues Aug. 7 with a family-friendly show by magician Al Bernard, 7-8 p.m., at Centre Square in downtown Kentville.

The Downtown Swing Band, in Kentville's Centre Square, July 31, 2009

Thugs at Bay (T@B) playing tonight

Michael Gabriel — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:28:32 +0000

Thugs at Bay (AKA T@B) performing tonight