150 Books of Influence

In honour of the 150th Anniversary of Confederation, the Nova Scotia Library Association and Nova Scotia’s nine regional library systems presented Libraries 150, a province-wide library project to promote reader engagement in the celebration of Nova Scotia’s writers and citizens, ideas and attitudes, culture and environment, stories and treasures.

The cornerstone of Libraries 150 is the 150 Books of Influence, a compilation of 150 books that Nova Scotians feel have somehow influenced or defined them. The titles on the list are books that have captured Nova Scotians’ hearts and minds; books that tell Nova Scotia’s stories and inspire its citizens.

Canada’s 150th Anniversary is a perfect opportunity to examine and consider those books which reflect our current state as a people and province, as well as books that mark our progress over the decades since Confederation. This project will memorialize the literary works of Nova Scotia, and leave a cultural legacy for future generations of readers that will be forever accessible to the public.

The titles in the list were based on suggestions from librarians, publishers, and most importantly readers like yourself. The criteria for selection stated that the author be Nova Scotian and/or the book be about Nova Scotia.

Project Lead:

Laura Emery, CEO/Chief Librarian, Eastern Counties Regional Library

Project Coordinator:

Cindy Lelliott, MLIS, Librarian at the Cyril Ward Memorial Library in Guysborough, NS, and 2016/2017 President of the Nova Scotia Library Association.

Project Working Committee:

Angela Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library

Suzanne van den Hoogen, Atlantic Provinces Library Association

Erin Phillips, Cape Breton Regional Library

Lesley Brann, Colchester-East Hants Public Library

Denise Corey, Cumberland Public Libraries

Cynthia Gatto, Halifax Public Libraries

Catherine Kelly, Nova Scotia Provincial Library

Christina Pottie, South Shore Public Libraries

Trecia Schell, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library

Joanne Head, Western Counties Regional Library