The poster for this year's Canadian Library Month.

What is a library? Libraries are hubs, connecting people to services, information and their community. Unfortunately, the outdated and commonly held perception that libraries are just books on shelves persists, and with the rise of tools like Google, some people question why we even need libraries. This is why we take time every October to recognize Canadian Libraries Month. Developed by library partners from across the country, Canadian Libraries Month reminds us of the valuable role that libraries play in the lives of Canadians.

Instead of ‘What is a library?’, the better question is ‘What do libraries do?’ Libraries foster lifelong learning by helping people of all ages access the information and tools they need to live, learn and work. Libraries bolster economic prosperity by providing access to decision-making information for organizations and businesses, they enhance the quality of life for all Canadians, and they help ensure that Canadian culture continues to flourish and thrive. Academic libraries play a special role contributing to the academic growth of Canadians.

The theme for this year’s Canadian Libraries Month is Libraries Connect. Here at the Dalhousie Libraries, we’ve taken some time to reflect on how we connect with our users and our community. Here are just some of the ways that we connect:

• connecting with library users face-to-face at the Information Desks, Reference Desks, Circulation Desks and Help Desks
• connecting users with services through the libraries’ website, mobile website and blog
• connecting with users through social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
• connecting users with reference services through live chat
• connecting anonymously with users through the Comments/Compliments/Complaints boards
• connecting with on-campus events like Pink Day and Dal Reads
• connecting with the community through initiatives like One Book Nova Scotia

The display at the Killam Library for Canadian Libraries Month.