In 2007, a partnership between the Nova Scotia Provincial Library; the Nova Scotia Public Libraries; and Novanet, a post-secondary consortium of university and college libraries, was established and became known as Libraries Nova Scotia (LNS). This collective came together with the commitment to enhance library services by providing ease of access to materials for Nova Scotians, access to expert library staff and shared collections and services. Ultimately collaborating to achieve new levels of excellence in client service delivery.
In 2011, the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage created an Archives, Museums and Libraries unit. As synergies developed over time in this formalized capacity, Libraries Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Archives and Nova Scotia Museums began having discussions. Recognizing our shared interests, we naturally and organically evolved into an informal expansion of Libraries Nova Scotia soon after.
Given the enthusiasm that was bubbling up out of our shared interests and initiatives as well as the value gained from this collaboration, the group felt that it was time to evolve Libraries Nova Scotia to be more inclusive in its structure and branding as well as to formally recognize the expanded partnership. This led to hosting the joint Archives, Libraries and Museums (ALM) Conference in Fall 2015. The theme of the conference was “Public Places, Community Spaces”. The conference included two well attended pre-conference sessions, Reimagining Libraries Nova Scotia in the Future and Exploring a Provincial Digitization Strategy, which generated a great deal of enthusiasm and feedback to inform our evolution.
The leaders of our respective organizations took the valuable input received at the ALM conference and began planning meetings in 2016. The planning meetings included the early partners, Libraries Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Museums and Nova Scotia Archives along with the addition of the Council of Nova Scotia Archives and the Association of Nova Scotia Museums. These founding members established a core partnership that acts as a Steering Committee with appointed representatives who are the leaders of each of these organizations and associations. In early 2017 we officially became Libraries, Archives and Museums Nova Scotia (LAMNS). Please explore our website to learn more about LAMNS and our initiatives.
Re-visioning Libraries Nova Scotia
Reimagining Libraries Nova Scotia in the Future – Feedback from ALM PreConference Session
Reimagining Libraries Nova Scotia 2015
Province-Wide Digitization Strategy
Joint Conference – Digitization Background
Evolution of Digitization @ The Beaton Institute
Joint Conference Digitization Notes