The Antigonish Town and County Library, commonly known as The People’s Place, is moving forward with a new lineup of community events in April 2026, even as the facility prepares for changes to its operating hours due to long-standing budget pressures.
Located at 283 Main Street, the library will host several community-focused gatherings throughout April, including a Homemade Item Swap on April 13 at 2 p.m. and a special gardening event featuring a supply exchange. These activities are part of the library’s effort to maintain its role as a local hub, providing over 100 free programs each month that range from children’s story times to community cafes for all ages.
Starting in April, the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library system will close its Antigonish and New Glasgow branches on Sundays. This decision follows seven years of stagnant core funding from the provincial government, which has created ongoing fiscal challenges for the regional system. To address a $190,000 budget shortfall, the library system is launching a series of fundraising campaigns this month.
The Friends of Antigonish Library, a non-profit group that supports the branch, has been actively advocating for more sustainable funding. Board member Molly MacIsaac has highlighted that the library remains a vital resource for the community, offering essential services such as a community fridge, a Newcomer Welcome Centre, and public access to high-speed internet.
Despite the change in weekend operations, the library continues to function as a core resource for residents. Whether through language learning programs for newcomers or practical workshops for locals, the library remains committed to providing free, accessible services to the people of Antigonish.
