What if you could go to the library and sign out a gym membership, just like a book? Oh wait! You CAN if you’re in Pictou County, Nova Scotia! Beginning in March 2018, Active Pictou County and the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library have made available “Fun Fit Passes @ the Library” – a fitness and activity membership card that can be signed out of the library, just like a book. There are 3 pass cards available for the YMCA of Pictou County, plus a card for the Pictou Fisheries Pool, and one for True Potential Fitness in Pictou. The cards are valid for either an individual or a family, and give the user full access to the facility, including most programming, for a two week period. A hold for the pass can be placed online through the library catalogue or by calling any of the library branches.

Active Pictou County Coordinator, Sally O’Neill, said “The Library offers much more than books, and has such a great reach, it’s an excellent partner for this project.” The program is made possible by the Facility Access program of the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. Community Services Librarian Trecia Schell, said “The program has been very well received (the fit passes have growing waitlists to be borrowed by library patrons!).” Some people have registered for regular YMCA/Gym memberships after having borrowed the Fun Fit Pass from the library, and visited the facilities.