"Our mission is to stimulate a love of reading and a life-long interest in learning. To encourage self-reliance and the use of the new technologies. To provide an up-to-date, forward-looking network of accessible and inviting facilities, information services and outreach programs. To be responsive to community needs and to contribute to the economic and social well-being of our communities."

ECRL is one of 9 Regional Library systems in the Province of Nova Scotia. 

Since 1969, we have provided library service to Inverness, Richmond and Guysborough Counties. ECRL has ten library locations with headquarters in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia. ECRL serves approximately 36,901 Nova Scotians, many of whom live in small communities of less than 200 people. The largest Town we operate in is Port Hawkesbury, which has a population of approximately 3,250 people. 

ECRL is governed by a Library Board made up of six municipal representatives and two provincial appointees. It is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, by the participating municipalities, and by our own funding raising activities, such as our annual Share A Book campaign