Historian challenges fate of old Halifax Memorial Library

For some, the fate of Halifax Memorial Library was sealed when Halifax Regional Council voted in favour of a July 2024 report. Historian William Breckenridge is hoping to change that. 

Breckenridge spoke at the Halifax Central Library on Monday night during the Halifax Memorial Library: Now and Then event he organized. His presentation on the history of the former library aimed to inform and educate people about the building’s importance in hopes they’d care about its future. 

But Coun. Laura White, who attended the presentation, says the building’s fate has already been decided. “It’s old news,” she says. “That’s why I’m concerned.”

In White’s understanding, the city had failed to find occupants for the building and in July 2024 decided to move towards creating a park.

“I was a little uncomfortable last night,” White says, “because I don’t think that was fully made clear.”

According to the July 9, 2024 Halifax Memorial Library and Park Site — Repurposing and Approach to Park Development and Expansion report, between 2018 and 2024 the municipality considered potential building uses including nonprofit organizations but “All potential interests felt it was uneconomical and thus inviable.”

The report said that “If no appropriate use could be found, staff was to then proceed with the removal of the former library building.”

To assist with retaining the heritage value of the property, a hired consultant was asked to work “with a view to deconstruction of the building … and reinstatement of the property as a park.” 

During the public discussion after Monday’s presentation, about 10 residents delivered passionate monologues about the old library’s importance. One audience member described the building as having the potential to be the “heart of Halifax,” as it resides near the Halifax Provincial Courthouse and Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. 

Breckenridge said “Historical groups, even places with small societies and non for profits need office spaces … So getting a building that brings this hub, that brings all these together makes wonderful use of a centralized location.”  

He doesn’t think demolition is necessary, despite a 2020 building assessment stating the old library “has reached its end-of-life.“ Staff recommended in 2021 “that there were no reasonably viable options to be explored for the re-development and use of the building.”

Breckenridge says the building’s structure is a steel frame with a solid cement foundation, designed by prominent architect Leslie R. Fairn. The building is also fully winterized. 

“Whatever the condition is, it’s not what it appears, and it’s not what’s being said,” he says.

Since the building closed, the city has spent $499,461 on maintenance.

Halifax Regional Municipality spokesperson Sarah Brannen says the municipality continues to review the library site, and public consultation will be included.

“An update report to regional council to further identify the scope of the project and its intended consultation program is being considered and could be submitted within the next few months,” said Brannen in an email to The Signal. 

White would like to see adaptive reuse of the building when it can be done. “I don’t know if we’ve tried hard enough to make that happen,” she said.

White considers the updated report as a “sober second thought.”

“I think that once this report comes from staff … they will have a clearer picture of, ‘Does this new department and staff (agree) with everything that’s been done to date? Do they have any suggestions, anything we missed in the process, or what is the real condition of the building?’ ” 

The 2024 report said that “Council may revisit the building’s recapitalization and future uses, but based on the investigations and evidence to date those actions are not recommended.”

“Votes can always be changed,” Breckenridge says. “Minds can always be changed, and I’m trying my best to make that happen.”