For over a century, the Dalhousie nursing site in Yarmouth has been a cornerstone of healthcare education in Nova Scotia as well as a key partner of Yarmouth Regional Hospital and Nova Scotia Health. With the launch of its newly revitalized library, it embarks on a fresh chapter, blending a rich legacy with modern amenities for today’s students
The journey to this moment has been one of creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to preserving the legacy of nursing education in Yarmouth. The project has been a labour of love for Vinson Li, librarian educator with Nova Scotia Health’s Library Services and Faculty Adjunct at Dalhousie University. “Libraries are about more than just books,” Vinson says. “They’re about people, learning, and connection. This new space reflects that.”
The original library traces back to the early 1900s, when the Yarmouth School of Nursing was established. Initially placed within the school, the library moved to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital, where it served as a resource for nursing students and clinicians for decades. Filled with books, archival materials and photographs of nursing students from as early as the 1920s, it was a space for study, rest, and collaboration.
“Historically, it was a place for nursing students and clinicians,” Vinson adds. “They’d use it for research, meetings, or just to relax.” The library became a bridge between the School of Nursing and the hospital, fostering an environment that benefited both students and healthcare professionals.
With the shift toward digital resources and the growing demand for collaborative spaces, Nova Scotia Health saw an opportunity to reimagine the library’s role. In 2022, Vinson and Joanne Hodder, manager of Library Services, began modernizing the space.
“We wanted to minimize the physical collection and make the space more about collaboration and work,” adds Vinson.
As healthcare and education evolves, so do needs of the community. When the hospital needed to turn the library into clinical space to enhance patient care, Nova Scotia Health’s library services team pivoted to reimagine the library in a new location. They were offered four adjoining rooms on the second floor of the School of Nursing building, a space that sparked creativity.
“The new library is spread across four rooms, two on each side of the hallway,” Vinson says. “It’s a unique layout and it allowed us to create distinct areas for different needs.”
The team introduced new furniture, installed shelves, and worked with Nova Scotian designer Kathy Kaulbach to bring the space to life. Kathy drew inspiration from the School of Nursing’s archival materials, such as historic photographs, to create colourful wall graphics that celebrate the site’s rich history.
“The graphics really personalize the space,” Vinson says. “You can feel that it’s a library with a history.”
Kathy shares her inspiration for the project. “The goal was to communicate the long and relevant history of the Yarmouth Regional Hospital and the Nursing School,” she says. “We wanted to create an installation that celebrated the past while looking toward the future.”
Working with archival materials provided by Lisette Gaudet, the archivist at the Yarmouth County Archives, Kathy carefully selected images that captured the essence of the School of Nursing’s history. Kathy opted for a playful, non-linear approach to the artwork, using circles and pops of colour to highlight key moments in the school’s history.
“I didn’t want anything overbearing,” she explains. “I wanted snippets of history that would feel light and engaging. The images show the changes in the building, the people, and the technology over time. It’s a visual journey through the decades.”
The new library features a computer lab, two collaborative study rooms, a quiet study room, and a dedicated area for physical materials. It has quickly become a favourite spot for nursing students, who use it to study, collaborate, and spend time with their peers.
“The students have really taken to it,” adds Vinson. “It’s a way for them to feel connected to the history of their profession. They can see the legacy they’re a part of.”
As Vinson reflects on the project, he emphasizes the balance between preserving the past and embracing the future.
“This space is more than just a library. It represents the dedication of everyone who made it possible,” he says. “It’s about honouring where we’ve been and creating a place where students can thrive. It’s their space, and they’ve made it their own.”
The revitalized Yarmouth-Dalhousie nursing library is now open to students, offering a modern, inspiring environment to support the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Photo of Vinson Li, librarian educator with Nova Scotia Health’s Library Services and Faculty Adjunct at Dalhousie University, and Faith Wesson, Dalhousie University- Yarmouth Campus nursing student.
