Halifax North Memorial Public Library renovations

Happy Cities is leading community engagement for the renovation of Halifax North Memorial Public Library, with a focus on building trust and translating community input into clear design direction.

Poster inviting community members to give input. (Halifax North Memorial Public Library)

Halifax North Memorial Public Library serves as a community hub for Halifax’s North End neighbourhood, offering a diverse range of programs, activities, and collection materials to about 1,000 visitors each day. The branch hosts discussions with local organizations and advocates, after-school programs, reading support and English Language Learning support, serving as a vibrant community space.

A community-focused approach to a public library renovation

Halifax North Memorial Public Library is 60 years old and needs significant upgrades to become more accessible, sustainable, and meet community needs.

Happy Cities is leading community engagement to inform the renovations. Working closely with the design team and library staff, we designed an inclusive engagement strategy to hear community input, including surveys, workshops, pop-ups, door-to-door initiatives, a field office, and advisory committees.

Our approach aims to:

• Ensure community voices directly shape design decisions from the outset

• Build trust in a neighbourhood with deep cultural history and ongoing change

• Centre lived experience, particularly for communities most reliant to the library

• Move beyond consultation toward co-design that influences decision making

• Ground the project in belonging, dignity, and cultural identity—recognizing the library’s critical role as social infrastructure

During Phase 1, the team reached 100+ participants through workshops; 120+ survey respondents; 250+ homes; and had 70+ meaningful in-person conversations.

We delivered engagement opportunities that met people where they are—considering language barriers and individual needs that may prevent someone from participating in traditional consultation. Engagement opportunities focused on testing ideas, historic community milestones, and turning feedback into clear design considerations for the branch’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

We will be conducting a third round of engagement in spring 2026.

Shaping the future of Halifax North Memorial Public Library

Through engagement, we heard that the library plays a critical role as social infrastructure. The space fosters connection, learning opportunities, and everyday support. The project team will continue to keep the community informed at each step of the project. Multiple opportunities for input will help ensure that local community members see themselves reflected in their library—now and for the years to come.

(Halifax North Memorial Public Library)