Thank You Volunteers!

On April 15, we celebrated the 75th National Volunteer Week with our 42nd annual Volunteer Recognition Event. The theme of 2016’s National Volunteer Week is “volunteers are the roots of strong communities,” a sentiment with which Calgary Public Library—and Calgarians—passionately agree.

Here at the Library, 2,511 Calgarians give back more than 56,980 hours of volunteer effort annually. Our volunteers’ time adds an economic value of $1,538,590 to our libraries and communities every year! Their efforts allow the Library to offer more programs, in more locations, more often, to so many more Calgarians. Library volunteers give their time, energy, and talent—and over 14,000 patrons benefit.

We’d like to thank every volunteer for their outstanding contributions to all of the Library’s programs.

We’d also like to pay tribute to one of the Library’s very first volunteers, Becky Lathrop. In 1974, Becky started volunteering for the Library’s Homebound Readers program. She was known as unflappable, warm, and supportive. Becky Lathrop passed away on March 8, at the age of 90.

The John Dutton Volunteer of the Year Award seeks to recognize an extraordinary individual whose service is exemplary. Marian Erb received the award.

“Volunteering at the Library allows me to do what I love, surrounded by beautiful, wonderful books in the company of friendly, like-minded people.” Marian says.

The following outstanding volunteers also received awards at the event:

• Linda Lathrop was recognized for her 10 years of volunteer service for the Library.
• Betty Giles, our Milestone Award recipient, was honoured for 30 years of voluntary service to the Library.
• Theresa and Dean Cassidy, the wife and husband team behind the Library’s mascot Curious the Chameleon, received the 2016 Community Spirit Award.
• Shovon Das was honoured as the Youth Speaker.
• Darby, a Golden Doodle, along with the intrepid and the equally remarkable Patti Johnston, were honoured for their work volunteering for the Story PALS program.
• Doug Leisch received the 2016 Literacy Support – Digital Award.
• Daniel Park received the 2016 Literacy Support – Numeracy Award.
• Rachelle Dueck received the the 2016 Literacy Support – Reading and Writing Award.
• Barbara Mathies received the the 2016 Professional Support Award.
• Doreen Richards received the 2016 Foundation Award.
• Jon McBurnie received the 2016 Language Coaching Award.
• Alisha and Inaara Ebrahim received the Emerging Leader Award.