Borrow a backpack today to discover the science of snow, learn about animals in the winter, or learn all about Winter hiking!

Like all Nature Backpacks we have included a community nature journal. Every time you borrow a backpack you can use the journal to document your adventures, record observations and sketch nature scenes. You can also see what previous borrowers have discovered!

Inside each Winter Nature Backpack you will find:

• A snow brick maker
• A small handheld microscope – for viewing snowflakes up close!
• A Nature Journal
• The following books:
  • The Joy of Winter Hiking
  • Hiders seekers, finders keepers : how animals adapt in winter
  • The Science of Snow
  • Animal Signatures
  • When Winter Comes

Winter Nature Backpacks were made possible through funding from CBRM Recreation Department.

Explore our complete Nature Backpack Collection

To our library bookmobile patrons and community members:

We are sharing with you today, that after much consideration, the Cape Breton Regional Library Bookmobile will be making its final run on November 28, 2024. At that time, the library will be transitioning to a Borrow by Mail program.

Libraries are a central and integral part of the community, and a constant in an ever-shifting world. Over the years, Cape Breton Regional Library has continuously evolved to meet changing needs while staying true to our core mission of strengthening and inspiring the communities we serve. Providing library service in today’s world can be challenging, and while we’ve had many successes, we’ve also experienced numerous obstacles and had to make difficult decisions. After investing increasing amounts of funds and resources into the bookmobile over the past several years, it became apparent that the service was no longer feasible or accessible, and it was time for a change.

What hasn’t changed is our strong commitment to providing library service to residents of rural communities.

CBRL’s new Borrow by Mail program is a free mail-order library service available to:

• Rural residents of CBRM and Victoria County who live more than 15 kilometres from a branch
• Individuals who are unable to travel to their local branch due to disability or accessibility issues.

Borrow by Mail users can select material such as books, magazines, audiobooks, and DVDs from the online library catalogue or via telephone, and items will be sent via Canada Post directly to your mailbox. Each shipment includes a postage-paid return label to send items back to the library by mail. You may request as many items as you like, or as many as your mailbox can accommodate. For more information on the Borrow by Mail program, please visit our the Borrow-by-Mail page.

Library staff are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for our patrons in the coming weeks and months. CBRL’s bookmobile driver, Mary, will be taking on a new role as the main point of contact for the Borrow by Mail program, and you can count on her to provide the support and resources you need. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to us by phone at 902-562-3279 or via email at borrowbymail@cbrl.ca.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the library patrons and local organizations who are an essential part of our library community. We truly appreciate your patronage and support, and we pledge to continue to provide you with the quality and care you expect and deserve.

Thank you for being part of our journey as our story continues, together.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the Borrow by Mail service. This service lets people who live in CBRM and Victoria County get library items delivered to them through the mail. 

2. Who qualifies for Borrow by Mail?

The Borrow By Mail service is available to residents of CBRM or Victoria County free of charge who live more than 15 kilometres from a library branch or for people that cannot visit a library branch due to a disability or illness.

3. Method of Delivery

Canada Post delivers the items people order through the Borrow By Mail service. The Library is not responsible for how and when Canada Post delivers the items. 

4. Returns

People who borrow items through the Borrow By Mail service can choose how they want to return them.

These are the choices:

• Items can be mailed back to the Library through Canada Post at no cost to the patron. A return label is included in each shipment.  

• They can bring the items back to any library in Nova Scotia along with the bag the items came in.

It is preferable that items are returned the same way they were borrowed.  If people borrow an item from a library branch and not through the mail, they need to return the item to a library branch.

4. What can be borrowed through Borrow by Mail?

The following items can be shipped through the mail: 

• Books, Magazines and DVDs
• Audiobooks and audiobook players

We are not able to mail:

• Items that are too large to go in the mail 
• Items that are heavier than 5 kilograms
• Items that are too fragile to go in the mail
• Equipment such as snowshoes 
• Reference books like encyclopedias that should only be used in the Library

5. Loan Period

Items borrowed through Borrow by Mail have a five week loan period. For more information on borrowing library materials please visit our website

6. Application Process

To request Borrow by Mail service, please complete the online application form or call 902-562-2028. 

Let’s shape the future of accessibility together! Please take part in the Library Accessibility Plan Progress Survey.

It takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete, and you’ll have a chance to win a $100 grocery gift card!

The Interregional Advisory Committee for Library Accessibility (IACLA) released an accessibility plan in April 2022. The purpose of the plan was to identify and remove barriers to participation in libraries. Your insights will help libraries ensure our services and spaces are inclusive and accessible to all community members.

Participate online here: https://forms.office.com/r/YCPnCLXGes

If you would like a printed copy or assistance with completing the survey, please contact or visit your local library. Staff will be happy to help you.

The survey is available until October 23, 2024.

Please join us for a  Presentation and Q&A about Victoria North Regional Library

Thursday 29 August 6:30pm 

Ingonish Fire Hall

35938 Cabot Trail

About this Meeting:

Cape Breton Regional Library & Victoria County are seeking a new location for the Victoria North Regional Library. We need to vacate the current space at 36243 Cabot Trail by April 1 , 2025. Currently we are evaluating potential existing buildings in the area which may be suitable as either a temporary or permanent home for the library.

At this meeting, CBRL staff will present our vision and goals for the library North of Smokey.

Prior to making a decision, we need to ensure the location chosen will meet the current needs of the community. This is your chance to share your thoughts on the library’s programs and services.

Let us know what you want to see in a future library space. 

We want to hear from you

Please answer the following questions, we want to know why the library is important to you!

Please take a few minutes to answer our questions about a new Sydney Central Library and help us better understand needs and requirements.

A new Sydney Central Library will replace the existing aging McConnell Library and function as a community-based creative learning library, serving both the roles of a local branch and regional service.

Learn More about the New Sydney Central Library Project.

October is Mi’kmaq History Month. This year honours traditional Mi’kmaw beadwork.

Learn more at the Mi’kmaq History Month website.

CBRL has lots to offer, including:

• FREE MEMBERSHIP: Your library card is FREE and gives you access to lots of resources! It’s quick and easy to sign up for a card.
  • Teacher’s click here to learn more about signing up your students for cards.
• BOOKS, DVDs, MAGAZINES, and more: CBRL is part of Same Page, a partnership of eight regional libraries from across Nova Scotia. Same Page provides access to the collections of over 60 library branches – that’s almost one million items! You can browse the collection and request materials through our online catalogue.
• MULTIPLE LOCATIONS: CBRL has 12 branches and travelling bookmobile. Several branches are open 6 days a week, including evenings! Find your nearest branch from our Locations menu.
• AWESOME APPS that give you instant access to eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies, and more. Our Digital Library services include Libby, Hoopla, PressReader, and Kanopy, and are available online anytime, anywhere.
• FRIENDLY STAFF who are here to help! Drop by your local library to visit us in person or give us a call.
• SPACE: Whether you are looking for a meeting place to gather or somewhere quiet, the library is the perfect location!
• COMPUTER ACCESS: WI-FI, computer, iPad access and scanning are available for free! Printing is available for .20 cents per page (cash only)

Please phone Baddeck Library to reserve a pair.

• Library Services FAQ
• Digital Library FAQ

Library Services FAQ

Digital Library FAQ

You can enjoy CBRL’s online collections from the comfort of your own home.  Online resources include eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines.  You will need your library card number and PIN (normally the last four digits of your phone number) to log-in.   Click on the Digital Library link to view the full list of online resources. We have tips for using each of the Digital Library Services on the Digital Library page.

Location

Cape Breton Regional Library

50 Falmouth Street
Sydney, N.S.
B1P 6X9

Contact

Phone: (902) 562 3279
Fax: (902) 564 0765
Email: info@cbrl.ca

The headquarters office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.