FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadian Institute of Planners ‘Great Places in Canada’ contest awards plaque to Antigonish library for ‘Great Public Spaces’ category win
(Antigonish, Nova Scotia): February 17, 2015 – One more item will be hung on the wall of the Antigonish Town and County Library/The People’s Place Library as their ‘Great Places in Canada’ plaque for winning the contest in the Great Public Places category takes place Friday, February 20 at 4:30pm in the library. Originally nominated for the contest’s ‘People’s Choice’ award by library patron Beth Schumacher, in early November it was announced the library was a winner in the contest’s ‘Great Public Space’ category. The news came as a pleasant surprise for library staff and supporters.
“To even be nominated for this is an honour in itself – and it’s a reminder to us how important libraries are in our communities but also how important communities are to our libraries locally, nationally, and internationally. The creativity on the walls, the community input we had when the library was in the planning and development stages along with all the support we had from the community after our nomination – we really can’t thank people enough!” says Eric Stackhouse, Chief Librarian for the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library.
The award for ‘Canada’s Great Public Space’ was a title well-deserved according to contest judge Ann Kjerulf, also a Senior Planner with Cowichan Valley Regional District in British Columbia.
“Antigonish Town & County Library (The People’s Place Library) in Antigonish is more than just a library,” says judge Ann Kjerulf. “The product of a collaborative planning process, it is a focal point of community life, offering programs and services to people of all ages in a safe, welcoming and barrier-free environment. The People’s Place is recognized for its exceptional design which celebrates the work of local artists and craftspeople and incorporates numerous green features. This is truly a great public space (excerpt from CIP ‘Great Places in Canada’ news release).”
The win wouldn’t have been possible without Schumacher nominating the library in the contest, and she will also be recognized at this event. The Honourable Tony Ince, Minister of Communities, Culture, and Heritage will also speak at the event. For more information, please contact the library at (902) 863-4276.
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Media contacts – Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library
Eric Stackhouse, Chief Librarian
Email: estackho@nsngp.library.ns.ca
Phone: (902) 755-6031
Kristel Fleuren-Hunter
Children’s Services Librarian and Antigonish Librarian, Antigonish Town and County Library
Email: kfhunter@nsngp.library.ns.ca
Phone: (902) 863-2486
Cell: (902) 971-0979
Media Contacts – Canadian Institute of Planners ‘Great Places in Canada’ contest
Niki Kerimova
Email: niki@prpost.ca
Phone: 416-777-0368
Megan Stephens
Email: megan@prpost.ca
Phone: 416-777-0368