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Pictou Antigonish Regional Library (PARL
The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library (PARL) has seven library branches and a Books-by-Mail service for rural library patrons. PARL’s seven branches are located in the downtown areas of Antigonish, New Glasgow, Trenton, Stellarton, Westville, Pictou and the village of River John.
Library cards are available for free at any of the branch locations, by phoning the Library Headquarters toll-free at 1-866-779-7761, or online at parl.ns.ca. FIVE FUN LIBRARY FACTS
• You can borrow up to 50 items (including up to six DVDs) at a time • Overdue fines are just 20¢ per day up to a total of $2 per item. If you are 65 years or older, there are no overdue fines at all • The Regional Library offers 120+ free library programs per month, in addition to partnering with many community groups for special events.
Check out the PARLEvents calendar on their website • Library rooms are also available free of charge for use by the community (not-for-profit purposes) and when not in use by the library. For more details, please inquire at your local library • The typical borrowing period is three weeks for each item, unless it is a special item, like the Fun Fit Passes which give you temporary access to select fitness facilities, or to things like snowshoes
TRY IT OUT
Light Therapy Lamps are available in a cozy corner to help chase away the seasonal blues
DID YOU KNOW?
The library is print accessible. They have access to the CELA and NNELS collections for patrons with print disabilities. PARL also has a community-funded program to loan accessible reading devices on longterm (when available). If interested, contact the Books-By-Mail service at Regional Library Headquarters. GET ONLINE WITH PARL
Online with your library card you can access language training and digital magazines, download eBooks an Audiobooks, and more. You can even log in to Ancestry.ca. At the New Glasgow Library, explore the Pictou County Roots Society, the Heritage Room and meet the Heritage and Reference Library Clerk. Learn more on page 82, Museums and History Buffs. LOOKING FOR A NEW BOOK, AUTHOR TO READ OR A RESEARCH TOPIC?
Check out the online Readers Café for some helpful tips or drop by the library – they love to talk about books. Wondering what is going on in the local area, or other programs and services? Feel free to drop by and chat with their friendly staff. Each library carries copies of our local newspapers, and has a Community Bulletin Board. They also have the Newcomers Welcome Centre online navigator tool to help those new to the area.
The libraries offer free public access computers, and for a small fee: access to printers, faxing, scanners and some 3D printers (in the Makerspaces in New Glasgow, Westville, River John and Antigonish). They have jigsaw puzzles, PLAY Packs (kits with books and play equipment), Nordic Walking Poles, Walkabout pedometers, GPS, Autism Sensory Play Kits (Autism tools – Fidget, Sensory, Visual kits) – all free to borrow with your library card. In addition, each of the libraries has LEGOs, wooden blocks, and board games for you to drop-in and enjoy.
