The Keshen Goodman library is absolutely amazing. Lots of natural light, windowseats built along…read morethe entire front of the building and a hefty inventory of all sorts of books to steal your time. The Keshen Goodman library is located adjacent to the new Mainland Commons sports structure. There is ample parking and self-scan checkouts, all of which combine to make your time as enjoyable and productive as possible. Metro Transit also has bus stops just outside on both sides of the street, so commuting sans car is a breeze. This library branch also sponsors evening seminars and public-interest talks; check out the website for details on upcoming events.

I don't generally visit this library since it's quite far from home, but a couple years ago I…read morefrequented the Keshen Goodman every week for tutoring sessions. My experiences at this library have generally been disappointing for the following reasons: - It is EXTREMELY loud. Despite the vastness of this building, you will be hard-pressed to find a truly quiet area to read/work/study. My student and I often met just after school got out or after suppertime, and many extracurricular clubs seem to use the centrally located conference rooms at these times. The problem? The doors are wide open, meaning all can hear the excited shouting and clamoring of the club members. The cafe down the hall also contributes to the noise. - Inadequate study areas. Some may disagree with me on this point, but I have never had an easy time finding a quiet, private area in this library. - So-so selection. This has undoubtedly changed in the past year (I hope). With that being said, the architecture of the Keshan Goodman is interesting and does allow for a great deal of natural light. Perhaps I'll drop by the next time I'm in the area to see whether conditions have improved.

The best value for the money food in Halifax is the day old bread and bakery at the roof top coffee…read moreshop. I was coming from a cruise ship, it was awesome to find a place with free Wi-Fi.

From the perspective of a kids library, this is a really cool space. Great natural lighting. A…read morekids section where you don't feel pressure to hush your kids much at all.

I've had a long love affair with the Alderney Gate library. When I lived in Mount Uniacke, I would…read morepass the Sackville and Bedford libraries, to come here. What's to love? Uh, two floors of bibliographic brilliance and cool community spaces. Let's start with the main floor. You've got DVDs as an 'impulse buy' right there. A well-staffed information desk. Loads of computers. Specialty displays. Lots of comfy chairs to sit and read. The second floor has books for kids and teens. Plus lots of community rooms where cool events are held. My only complaint? While it's great that teens feel welcome, they can be a bit boisterous and staff don't seem inclined to quiet them. The Alderney Gate Library is an essential (and under-valued) part of our community.

I love books. I would read all day if I could! As such, I am rather fond of libraries. The Alderney…read moreGate library is probably my favorite of the many within the HRM. Here's why: - Two floors of literary goodness, which means a massive selection of everything. - Plenty of computers. - All the children's stock is upstairs, which means that adults can browse in relative peace and quiet downstairs (huge plus for me). - Loads of toys, games, and play areas upstairs for the kids. - Lots and lots of windows. - Knowledgeable staff. There is but one negative attribute to this library: it is really, really difficult to get into unless you are walking or busing it. The parking lot is almost always filled to the brim (the ferry terminal is in the same building), and getting to the library from the rear entrance is a huge hassle. Aside from the parking, the Alderney Gate library is one of HRM's truly fantastic features.

I love the Tantallon Library. Staff is always friendly and helpful. Sitting areas are always…read moreclean and quiet.

I hangout here with my friend sometimes and there are always these teenagers that goof around and…read morethey always be loud even though they probably don't know there in a library they still be loud I would not recommend coming here when they are here but it's more of a 5 star experience when they aren't there. One more thing all the staff are very nice to everyone and the library is very clean

Honestly? I'm a little disappointed…read more Knowing the sheer volume of space at their disposal, I had hoped this would become a major branch of the Halifax Regional Library system. I finally went today only to discover that their selection isn't that much better than when they had their smaller location across the street. Yes, there's an auditorium, program room and lots more space. But I'd hoped for two stories of library! That said, there are lots of computers and self-check-out terminals. As with any branch, you can order in delivery. They do use the auditorium for free movies for the kids. But overall, I'd hoped for more.

This is the library that I frequent most often - not because of its proximity to my home, but…read morebecause it is close to a number of other businesses that I patronize. Pros: - Decent parking lot (stick to the sides of the building for greater ease of entry/exit); - Modern facilities, including an auditorium, large bathrooms, private study rooms, and plenty of public computers; and - Knowledgeable staff. Cons: - Selection leaves much to be desired. It's gotten better since the library moved to this location, but with the amount of space available it's not fantastic. - The noise level is almost always high - during the day it's because of the toddlers and small children running amok, and at night it's because of the hoards of teenagers playing games on the computers and shouting at each other. - Awkward entryway. The already-constricted foyer becomes packed easily with those entering and exiting, patrons in line at the checkouts, those depositing books in the drop boxes, and all those in between. Despite the cons, I gave the Woodlawn library 4 stars because I love books and libraries and I hope that this one will continue to improve over time. It has great potential.

This is where Nova Scotia Assembly Legislature is housed…read more Visitors are welcome. Climb the stairs and enter from Hollis St. Go through security screening & provide government issued ID. We showed our passports. When the Assembly is in session, you're welcome to watch the proceedings. We were able to walk into several different rooms including the library on the 2nd floor. The first floor provided the history of Nova Scotia and some prominent folks. A free thing to do if you're in downtown Halifax.

One part museum, three parts government building and one part landmark. That's Province House…read more I've been to Province House for a number of events - whether it's for a meeting, a governmental announcement, to watch the House sit, a public announcement or just to be a tourist in my own city. An amazing amount of the space is open to the public (after you've gone through a security checkpoint, of course). There's small museum on the main floor and bits of history are everywhere! You can head up to the second level to see the Red Room or the library. Keep going up and you can sit in the gallery and watch the legislature when it's in session. If you live here and never been, you really should go. If you're visiting, you should also check it out. It won't take long - the majority of space is still closed off from the public but it's a good look at our province's democratic past and present. Pro tip: If you're watching the legislature, put your cell phone away. Seriously, the commissionaires are quite serious about that rule. Quite. Serious.

I'm no longer a student, but that doesn't stop me from hiding in the stacks at the Killam, admiring…read morethe vast selection of books. Sometimes I'll head to a section without a particular title in mind, I'll sit on the floor and pull down book after book, reading the summaries, finding out the edition numbers and publication dates... oh the excitement and wonder. The Killam is a drab and dreary old building, having escaped the blessings of the good layout gods and the aesthetic appeal fairies. It's a hideous work of architecture, but one mustn't judge a book by its cover, because after investigating the shelves and shelves of spines, you'll find that this is in fact a gem. Every subject and category is Dewey Decimaled away in this huge building, organized efficiently so that you can find what you're looking for with relative ease. If you're not a student, fear not, for the Killam dishes out borrowers' cards to anyone with identification. This is a great library with a lot of wonderful literature for every reader from A to Z.

As a Dal student, I've spent my fair share of time in the Killam. With printers, computers, and…read moreplenty of space to tuck away and study, it's no wonder that it can be hard to find a spot during midterms and finals. The atrium is my favourite place in the building to work: it's not as dead quiet as the stacks, natural light can come in through the sky lights...and there is a steady stream of coffee and snacks available thanks to the Second Cup, Subway and canteen. The stacks are a little too quiet for me to be very productive, but I know it's a popular haunt for people if they need silence. If you're a bibliophile, spending time in the stacks will make your heart pitter-patter. Of course there are tons of books, but it's that old book smell that will get you. Mmmmm. I don't like the lack of windows in the Killam - good ol' brutalist architecture - but there is definitely something charming about the layout, where everything comes back to the atrium. If you aren't a student I believe they do give out temporary cards to anyone who wishes to take books out, but i've never had to use the service so I can't say for certain.