Services
SamePage
Same Page is a new partnership between eight NS library regions.
The goal is for all Nova Scotians to have equal opportunity to connect to library resources for learning, discovery, and improved quality of life.
With one card, and one easy-to-use shared catalogue,
you’ll have access to almost 1,000,000 items!
You’ll also be able to visit our library locations in our partnering regions and check out materials seamlessly.
We think you’ll love your new Library.
Borrow Anywhere, Return Anywhere (BARA)
Registration: Get a card for free at all public libraries, bookmobiles, university and community college libraries across the province. Borrowing: Gain access to tons of books, specialized collections and more! Returning: Simply return your materials to the most convenient participating location, even if it’s kilometres away from where you borrowed them. The only exception to this Inter Library Loans, please return those to a branch of South Shore Public Libraries.
Borrow By Mail
Borrow by Mail provides residents of the Lunenburg and Queens Counties who live more than 15 kilometers from a library branch, or who are unable to visit a branch to access library materials.
Borrow by Mail is a free service. Material will be mailed to you with a pre-paid postage label you will use to return the items.
Material is available in regular or large print, DVD, and CD formats. Once you are registered for the service, there are several ways to select material:
- Place your own requests on the library’s online catalogue at southshorepubliclibraries.ca and select “Mobile, Outreach, Borrow by Mail” as your pickup location.
- Speak to staff directly and they will make the requests for you.
- Staff can select material for you, based on your interests.
Talking Book Service
The Library’s Audio Book/Talking Book service provides library materials in CD, MP3, and Play Away format. Audio Book home services are available to Lunenburg and Queens library members who are unable to read regular print due to a print disability. Please give us a call to register. Audio books can be borrowed in the library or we can arrange for delivery by mail if you are homebound.
For more information or to register for this service, you or a family member, friend or caregiver can call the Admin Office in Bridgewater at 902-543-2548.
Public Internet Access Computers
All South Shore Public Libraries is a member of the Lunenburg Queens Community Access Society and all computer terminals are considered to be offered in partnership with Industry Canada’s Community Access program as administered through Nova Scotia C@P.
All Branches are fully equipped and provide:
- High-speed Internet access
- Multiple computers
- Laser printer
- Flatbed scanner
- Photocopier
Computer use is free, printing and photocopying is $0.20 (CAD) per page.
Wireless Internet -WiFi
All branch libraries have free wireless access to the internet.
Access is free and available 24 hours a day.
Security – The wireless connection is not secure. No encryption is employed. This means that it is possible for your transmissions to be intercepted. Conducting financial transactions over this connection is not advised.
Printing – We do not provide printing service to patrons using our wireless network. If you would like to print something off, you can save it to a portable drive and print from one of our public access machines.
InterLibrary Loan
Interlibrary Loans (ILL), borrowing from other libraries, is a service South Shore Public Libraries provides to our members in co-operation with other lending libraries.
- Interlibrary loans do not show up on your holds list immediately, it takes a few days to process
- Interlibrary loan materials cannot be renewed through your Library Account.
- Please return all Interlibrary Loan materials to a branch of South Shore Public Libraries only.
If you can’t find the item you’re looking for in the online catalogue, please email ill@ssplibraries.ca and we will search for it.
Please include the following details in your email:
- Title
- Format of item (book, DVD, large print, audio book, etc)
- Author, Editor or Director
- Name, library card number and contact information
- What your limit is for a possible ILL fee is
- If there is a specific date when you need the item
- Pick up location
Book Clubs
SSPL is pleased to support requests for Book Clubs. Please advise our interlibrary department of your clubs book selection 2 months in advance and we will do our best to get you as many copies of that title as possible. Pick one person from your group who will submit requests, pick up and return the books and take responsibility for them. Send your request to ill@ssplibraries.ca
Databases, Encyclopedias, Online Resources
Canadian Museum of Nature Scientific database featuring open access to more than 710,000 records of plants, animals, fossils, and minerals that are part of the museum’s national collections.
Canadian Encyclopedia – Canadian Encyclopedia the authority on all things Canadian for more than 20 years.
Dictionary of Canadian Biography – Explore the history of Canada’s inhabitants and their culture.
Canadiana by CKRN – Investigate Canada’s documentary heritage content online.
Nova Scotia Health Publications and Pamphlets
Meeting Space for Non-Profits
Meeting room facilities are currently available at the Margaret Hennigar Public Library in Bridgewater and the Thomas H. Raddall Library in Liverpool
The South Shore Public Libraries Board will provide non-profit groups with meeting space free of charge in these Library Program Rooms, when not in use for library activities. These meetings are to be of a non-fund raising, non-revenue generating nature. The Board reserves the right to accept or reject requests for the use of meeting space.
Technology
Tablets
Tablet technology is available at your neighbourhood library. Each SSPL branch has mobile devices to borrow while you are in the Library. You may borrow either an iPad or a Samsung tablet for up to 2 hours. These devices provide an opportunity for library members to gain familiarity and comfort with new technology that allows the use of alternative methods of enjoying the written and spoken word. Ask a staff member and try one out today.
Personal & Business Applications
The Lunenburg, Thomas H. Raddall and Margaret Hennigar Public Libraries have WiFi and desktops with high speed internet, word processing applications, printer, document scanner and photocopying services. Printing and photocopying is .20 per page. These branches are also equipped with an LCD projector and portable screen that may be borrowed by not for profit organizations.
3D Printing
Dream it, Draw it, Print it!
South Shore Public Libraries is leading the way to bring innovative printing technology Let’s have fun… in 3D! We have 3D printers, and a variety of free design software easy enough even for beginners to use.
You can create and print prototypes for a business or artistic venture.
3D printers let you print any three-dimensional (3D) object you can imagine such as jewelry, home appliance parts, toys, or phone accessories. We have 3D printers at our Margaret Hennigar Public Library, Lunenburg Library and Liverpool Library.
We also have Mindstorm Robotics, Makey Makey and other tech toys for you to experiment with, learn coding and complete other STEM activities.
Call 902-543-2548 for more information.