Residents across the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg will soon have access to an expanded range of free and inclusive programs, all managed and delivered by South Shore Public Libraries, inside the new Community and Business Hub under construction at the WellTide Health Centre in Osprey Village in Cookville.
This partnership places South Shore Public Libraries in a lead role, responsible for managing the space, operating the programs, and creating a vibrant, community‑served hub that reflects the way people live, work, and connect today.
The District of Lunenburg is fully financing the programming space — including staffing, equipment, technology, and fit‑up — so the library system can focus on what it does best: delivering high‑impact programs that benefit families, seniors, youth, newcomers, people of all abilities, and local entrepreneurs.
A memorandum of understanding was signed after Council voted in favour of the initiative during its March 23, 2026 meeting.
A Growing Region, a Growing Need
Demand for library services has never been higher. In 2025, South Shore Public Libraries welcomed more than 156,000 in‑person visits and supported more than 14,200 program participants, demonstrating a clear and growing need for additional programming space across Lunenburg and Queens Counties.
As demand grows, this initiative also advances Council’s strategic priority of strengthening community development by investing in shared spaces that support connection, learning, and wellbeing across the District.
Local Leadership at the Heart of the Hub
By placing South Shore Public Libraries at the centre of programming and day‑to‑day management in the Hub, the space will become a lively anchor for Osprey Village — supporting health, collaboration, business development, digital literacy, and community connection.
“We know libraries are central to healthy communities,” said Elspeth McLean‑Wile, mayor of the District of Lunenburg. “We’re investing beyond our mandated funding for public libraries because we know the impact this will have on residents, from access to learning, technology, safe gathering spaces, and creative programs that support wellbeing and local business. South Shore Public Libraries is the perfect partner to lead programming in this new Hub.”
Library Leadership: Meeting Community Demand Head‑On
South Shore Public Libraries will take on responsibility for managing the programming space and supporting collaboration among Hub tenants. This includes coordinating programs, overseeing the daily use of the space, and ensuring that services are welcoming and accessible.
“Across the entire region, demand for library services continues to rise,” said Ashley Nunn‑Smith, CEO & Chief Librarian of South Shore Public Libraries. “We’re offering more programs and welcoming more people than ever. Whether it’s early literacy, digital support, community partnerships, or providing a warm, safe place to gather — we are being called on to do more, and we are rising to that challenge. This new MOU with the District of Lunenburg provides a reliable investment that makes it possible for us to lead programming and manage this new space at a time when growth would otherwise be out of reach.”
A Hub Built for Real Community Life
The WellTide Collaborative Care Building and Community Hub is designed as a modern, accessible, purpose‑built destination that reflects the mix of real community life — young and old, health and creativity, business and play. The Hub will bring together a wide range of services, making it easier for residents to find the support they need in one place.
“This MOU with South Shore Public Libraries is more than a partnership,” added Mayor McLean‑Wile. “It’s a commitment to ensuring everyone in our region has access to opportunity — whether they’re learning to read, starting a business, building digital skills, or looking for a safe and welcoming place to gather.”
-30-
Media Contact
Sherri Turner
Communications and Public Engagement Officer
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.