Monday, October 5, 2026
- Your Library
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- Read, Learn & Explore
Happy birthday... to us! Calgary Public Library is thrilled to celebrate the birthdays of four of our locations:
Many of us have memories of learning and discovering something new at the Library — each chapter that has passed has shaped where we are today. As new locations open in the coming years, there will be even more stories. Stories of people discovering a love of reading, finding connection, and learning more about themselves.
As we look ahead, it’s also a chance to reflect on the memories that have taken place within Library walls. Read below for some of the history and special moments from our birthday locations.
When Southwood Library first opened its doors on October 17, 1966, it was the largest of Calgary Public Library’s 12 locations at the time.
Today, different generations enjoy the cozy spaces inside, the community garden outside, and of course, the staff members who make Southwood Library feel like a second home. Staff pride themselves in providing friendly service to loyal visitors — many of which live a walking distance away and stop in daily.
Ahead of Southwood’s 60th birthday, visitors have left notes for staff including the message below:
THANK YOU
for being a safe place when I had nowhere else to go
for having smiling, friendly, helpful librarians to help me with technical difficulties
for being a fun, learning, and entertaining place for my babies, toddlers, and teens
for having quality toys for my children to play with
for being a space to come to after a stressful day at work
Shawnessy Library has become a beloved place for many different communities in southeast Calgary since it opened in 2001. Located in the same building as the YMCA and Bishop O’Byrne High School, this location is a popular destination for many, especially young families, teens, and newcomers.
Tables are often full and many children enjoy playing in the nature-themed Early Learning Centre. There are also quiet places to study and work. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so quiet in the meeting rooms, it’s because the walls are filled with old shredded denim for noise reduction!
If Shawnessy were part of a book series, it would be set in the Robert Munsch universe. A few years after Shawnessy opened, Robert Munsch visited for a storytime. His book Mmm, Cookies! is one staff are particularly fond of, and they even gifted Munsch a giant cookie during his storytime. Over the years, staff say that they continue to love his books and are still very food motivated.
In 2016, Calgary was the fastest growing city in Canada. Much like today, more libraries were needed to meet the demands of our growing community. However, we weren’t alone in opening new locations. Over 200 people helped walk all the books from the old Shaganappi Library to the new Nicholls Family Library.
The Nicholls family made a transformational gift of $1 million to Calgary Public Library, and Nicholls Family Library officially opened on April 23, 2016.
This central-southwest Library is the only location inside a train station, sitting overtop the Westbrook CTrain station. The airy, yet compact, building spans two floors, with a hub for families and children on the main floor and space for adult learners on the second. Staff say that this location can be compared to the magical Grand Central Station Library from Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow. This Library is also in a train station and we’d like to think Nicholls Library is magical in its own right.
As people walk into the Remington YMCA, Quarry Park Library is a hidden gem.
The large, bright space has comfortable seating and an accessible design that is regularly used for reading, studying, and collaborating. Plus, the Read and Play-themed Early Learning Centre supports interactive learning through play.
Beyond the spaces, Quarry Park has a special way of making people feel seen and welcome. Some staff members have been at Quarry Park Library since it opened and know visitors by name. It has become a gathering place and neighbourhood hub that our community loves coming back to.
Quarry Park Library is like the Room of Requirement in Hogwarts from the Harry Potter universe. It’s hidden and fills many different needs for many different people!
Did you have fun looking back at these moments from the past? Create your own memories at the Library and visit any of our 22 locations today.
Monday, October 5, 2026
Monday, October 5, 2026
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
