Using the Library

Your free Eastern Counties Regional Library card gives you access to:

• Borrowing books and other items from ECRL's collection, as well as access to the full library collection shared by seven other regional libraries in Nova Scotia. ECRL users can place holds on and borrow items from any Same Page library, the same way they would with items in ECRL’s own collection!
• Accessible reading materials, including Large Print, audiobooks, and more
• Your online account where you can place holds, renew items, create lists and more
• A wide range of Digital Library Services available anytime, from anywhere with an internet connection
• Get books and other items delivered to any address in our service area via Canada Post using our Borrow by Mail service
• Self-serve locations including:
  • Library Kiosk at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre
  • Extended Hours at Atlantic Canada’s first Open Library: Cyril Ward Memorial Public Library in Guysborough
• Borrowing items from other libraries in Nova Scotia and across Canada, using our Interlibrary Loan service
• Keeping ECRL’s collection new, exciting, and relevant, by suggesting an item for purchase

Children (13 and under) must have a parent’s, guardian’s, or caregiver’s permission to register for a library card. When applying please include the name of an adult granting their permission. That adult is agreeing to be responsible for the library account.  

Institutional library cards are available to those who work at a daycare, care home, or school. Institutional library cards allow the borrower to separate the items borrowed for their workplace from their personal account, but the individual who registers for the card (e.g., a daycare director or teacher) remains responsible for the library account and any bills incurred. 

See our Library Policies for more information about using the library.

 When you visit a library branch, you can:

• Get staff assistance with all library services, including registering for a library card
• Browse and borrow library collections (books, DVDs, audiobooks)
• Use the free WiFi and public computers
• Use printing, photocopying, scanning, and laminating services
• Return items you have borrowed from any Same Page Library
• Return items you have borrowed from any public, university, or community college library in Nova Scotia (Borrow Anywhere Return Anywhere)
• Access the Ancestry Library genealogical database (available at select branches only) and Cochrane Library medical database
• Learn about or attend library programs
• Book a Community-Use Room (available at Sherbrooke Public Library and Alexander Doyle Public Library in Mabou)

Please note that all ECRL locations are safe spaces where 2SLGBTQIA+ communities can freely express themselves without fear. ECRL is committed to providing spaces that do not tolerate violence, bullying, or hate speech towards 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

There are many ways to use the library from the comfort of your own home:

• Borrow by Mail – if it’s not convenient for you to visit one of our library branches, but you want to borrow print books or other items, you can access our Borrow by Mail service
• Receive Accessible reading materials through Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS), or borrow Large Print books, audiobooks or ebooks from ECRL’s collection
• Access most of our Digital Library Services at home or anywhere with an internet connection, anytime
• Manage your account online: monitor due dates, place and check the status of holds, update your contact information
• Request an item from another library in Canada using Interlibrary Loan, or request that we purchase an item you are interested in
• Contact 1-855-787-7323 for telephone service, 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
• Contact us by email, phone, or mail. We welcome and encourage questions and feedback from library users

Wherever you have an internet connection, you can:

• Search the library catalogue for items you want to borrow
• Access most of our Digital Library Services at home or anywhere with an internet connection, anytime
• Access Ancestry Library genealogical database and Cochrane Library medical database (only available when you connect to the internet at an ECRL library branch)
• Register for a library card or ask for a replacement card
• Manage your account online: monitor due dates, place and check the status of holds, update your contact information, and more
• Find accessible reading opportunities
• Submit a program partnership request
• Contact us by email. We can assist you if you are having trouble accessing library services online, and we encourage feedback from library users