For the general public that hasn’t walked into a library in New Brunswick lately, what are your memories or should I say what are you stereotypes of libraries? Do you remember stacks of outdated books, small card catalogs with typed Dewey code in very long wooden drawers and of course the frowning librarian shushing clients for whispering too loud? These are the first memories of my childhood libraries.

In the last forty years, libraries across Canada have changed and New Brunswick is proving to take community service very seriously. Across the province, mandates support the creation of partnerships with the business community and social services among others to provide free services for all members of the community including the Acadian-French, English and First Nations peoples.

Regarding First Nations communities, the NBPLS/SBPNB (New Brunswick Public Library System/ System bibliothèques publiques de Nouveau Brunswick) offers a growing collection of works by and/or about Aboriginals, training to allow library personnel to better serve First Nation community members and encourages initiatives and programming year-round with spotlight on Aboriginal History month (June) and National Aboriginal Day (June 21st).

The Atholville library was lucky to have a Mi’kmaw artist, Josh Philbrick, offer children an eagle head drawing workshop and display some of his carvings and art work. We also had an elder, Denis Three feathers, offer a spiritual talk to a gr ...