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Committee Membership: Board Chair, Calgary Public Library Foundation Board
Term End: 2026
Immersing herself in the pages of books across diverse genres has been a lifelong passion for Gillian. This love for reading traces back to her early childhood and has seamlessly woven itself into her adult years. The roots of this passion run deep within her family; her mother, a former librarian during her teaching career, instilled this fervor for books. Continuing the tradition, Gillian’s young children eagerly explore the Central and Signal Hill branches, returning home buzzing with enthusiasm for their newfound books. Gillian firmly believes the Library is an inclusive space — a haven for learning, community, and connection. Committed to this belief, Gillian serves as a voice for change. Her voice reverberates in support of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and belonging in our communities and workplaces. Gillian passionately strives to cultivate more inclusive and sustainable environments for equity-deserving groups, channeling her enthusiasm towards sustaining these principles within Calgary Public Library.
Committee Membership: Vice-Chair, Governance, Strategy and Community
Term End: 2027
Al-Karim remembers the many hours he spent at Louise Riley, Shaganappi, and Signal Hill libraries as a child, reading books that allowed his imagination to wander. He loved getting lost in the story, language, and characters of the many books by Roald Dahl. Those early days of exploration and excitement at the Library were foundational to Al-Karim and his professional and volunteering journey. His appreciation for the Library further deepened as he began to understand the impact the Library has as a safe place of gathering, learning, and collaboration for all ages and members of the community. He looks forward to contributing to the Library's extensive programming and continuing the positive impact it has on the community.
Committee Membership: Chair, Governance, Audit and Finance
Term End: 2026
Some of Kate’s earliest memories are of hours spent in the A.C. Hunter Children’s Library in her hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland, where she and her parents relied heavily on the guidance of librarians to supply age-appropriate material for a voracious early reader. Kate’s love of reading helped carry her through law school at the University of Calgary, and she continues to devour a wide variety of fiction in her “spare” time. She has also passed her love of libraries down to her two children, who regularly accompany her to the Guiffre Family Library and Central Library locations. Kate sees libraries as exemplifying the best of our society and is excited to contribute to the growth and vibrancy of Calgary Public Library as a member of the Board.
Committee Membership: Chair, Strategy and Community, Audit and Finance
Term End: 2026
Before the metaverse was part of everyday conversation, a young Margaret imagined her own version fueled by the Library. It was at the Library that Laura Ingalls Wilder taught Margaret the difference between cake and yeast donuts. Monica Hughes introduced a new way to understand prejudice and how empathy is the only bridge to both sides. And Tolkien showed her that just because something like Lord of the Rings is popular, that doesn’t mean she has to like it. Today, Margaret understands that the Library is more than a physical place; it’s an ideology too. Through the Library, she hopes to gift the next generation a Calgary that has found a healthy balance between our right to intellectual freedom with the responsibility as citizens to participate, respect others, and contribute positively as represented by Calgary Public Library.
Committee Membership: Past Chair, Audit and Finance, Governance
Term End: 2027
As a child, Evan was fortunate to have a librarian as a neighbour who helped enable his love of reading from a young age. Now, as a father of two, he feels that there is no better resource than Calgary Public Library to help his children grow their own love of literacy and feed their curiosity of the world around them. Evan believes that Calgary Public Library should serve as an inclusive place for all members of the community to gather, learn, and expand their horizons. It’s Evan’s view that institutions such as Calgary Public Library have a significant role to play in our community’s pandemic recovery, and he looks forward to applying his public affairs background to help Calgary Public Library navigate this in the years ahead.
Committee Membership: Governance, Strategy and Community
Term End: 2026
When Crystal was a little girl in grade school, she spent many hours in the library commons at the University of Lethbridge where her mother, Dr. Helen Manyfingers, was completing her degree in Early Childhood Education. Her favorite section in the University library was the children’s book section, where she would lose herself in tales of adventures from around the world. As a First Nation member of the great Blackfoot Confederacy, Crystal has lived in the City of Calgary (Mohkintsis) for over 25 years. Her love of reading eventually led her to complete a master’s degree in Education at the University of Calgary and to publish a children’s book of her own called “A’pistotooki kii Ihkitsik Kaawa’pomaahkaa – Creator and the Seven Animals, why are we here?” Crystal is a bridge-builder between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and looks forward to using this passion to make a positive impact on the Calgary Public Library Board.
Committee Membership: Chair, Audit and Finance, Strategy and Community, Calgary Public Library Foundation Board
Term End: 2026
Aaron's lifelong love for reading began in childhood in Saskatoon, where the arrival of the neighbourhood Bookmobile sparked his imagination. His mother's passion for books laid the foundation for his literary journey. Now a father, he sees how reading shapes his son's vocabulary and perspectives. Understanding the transformative power of books, he values their role in shaping minds and fostering empathy. Calgary Public Library serves as a space for diverse communities and celebrates varied backgrounds. It's a safe, inclusive community fostering dialogue and collaboration. Aaron aims to enhance the Library's community impact, nurturing its role as a hub for learning, connection, and belonging. He's excited about contributing meaningfully to the Library, ensuring its lasting value within the community.
Committee Membership: Audit and Finance, Strategy and Community
Term End: 2028
Believing that libraries exemplify the very best of community spirit, Marla champions the value of books as bridges to knowledge, imagination, and shared understanding. With a deep appreciation for the role libraries play in fostering inclusivity and connection, she is committed to ensuring they remain vibrant centers of discovery for all. Alongside this devotion to literature, Marla contributes strong financial acumen, guiding the Library’s stewardship of resources with integrity and foresight. Her dedication reflects a balance of intellectual curiosity and practical leadership, ensuring the Library continues to thrive as both a cultural cornerstone and a trusted community institution where people of all ages can learn, grow, and feel at home.
Committee Membership: Board Member
Term End: 2028
Nathaniel Schmidt is the recently-elected councillor for Ward 8, representing one of Calgary’s most densely-populated and diverse wards.
A former criminal defence lawyer who has worked for Legal Aid Alberta and defended many clients from vulnerable communities, Schmidt’s sense of fairness and justice guides him in wanting to represent Calgarians from all backgrounds. He is also a father to a young daughter, who inspires him to build a Calgary that is hopeful and ready for the future.
Originally from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, Schmidt came to Alberta to study piano performance at the University of Lethbridge and was a freelance musician and music teacher in Calgary for many years before going to law school. While working in music, he often worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, including working on a production line in a brewery, driving a delivery truck, and serving coffee.
In his spare time, Schmidt is an avid gardener and bird-watcher and has volunteered with various wilderness and environmental organizations and other community groups for over a decade.
