Explore souvenir picture postcards from the early 20th Century showing views of Southern Alberta, mountains, frontier towns, and Calgary's urban landscape in the The View from Here collection, and highlighting local industries in the Southern Alberta at Work collection. Track the history of Alberta's changing landscape in the Calgary Story's maps collection.Not sure how to start? Watch the tutorial in Niche Academy: BiblioBoard tutorial
Read more about "Experience local content"Healthy development in early childhood sets the course for a child’s future, leads to kindergarten readiness, and prepares children for lifelong learning and success.
Read more about "Early Learning Centres are one piece of Calgary Public Library’s Early Learning Strategy."The power of summer, in the palm of your hand!
Read more about "Fun is Inevitable with Teen Takeover"Learn about non-Newtonian liquids with this gooey experiment.
Read more about "Seussian Oobleck"Read a collection of children's books written by local Indigenous authors.
Read more about "Treaty 7 Language Books"Use basic forms to draw your own cartoon characters.
Read more about "Drawing Simple Shapes"Mary KapustaDirector, Communicationsmary.kapusta@calgarylibrary.cao 403-774-7256Logo requests can be made to marcom@calgarylibrary.ca.
Read more about "Direct all media inquiries to:"Family Reading Kits are now available at six Library locations. Featuring four different titles for school-age children and one picture book, the kits include discussion questions to spark lively conversation, related activities, and more staff-recommended titles to keep reading as a family.
Read more about "Start a family book club"Find the support you need to succeed in school.
Read more about "School-Age Kids"Easily borrow, place holds, read, listen and learn within the app in just a few taps. Browse thousands of eBooks, audiobooks and magazines from OverDrive instantly and for free with the Libby app. You can also take free online music classes with Artistworks or watch music performances, films and documentaries in Qello Concerts. Find them in the "Extras" section. Install the Libby app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Or, use the Libby app in your browser.
Read more about "The easiest way to borrow digital books, audiobooks, and magazines"Transformational $1 Million Grant an Investment in Early Learning at Calgary Public Library MEDIA RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 16, 2017Calgary, AB — Calgary’s youngest citizens gathered at Saddletowne Library today to celebrate the opening of the first of four new Calgary Foundation Early Learning Centres, vibrant and interactive Library spaces for children age zero to five to engage in play-based learning. These new spaces are one of five pillars of the Library’s vision to create a world-leading public library model for early childhood learning.“Education is a key to success that opens doors for all,” said Eva Friesen, President & CEO, Calgary Foundation. “To ensure the health and well-being of the next generation, we’re pleased to support these Early Learning Centres, which will have a transformational impact on youth at a critical stage in their development.”The $1 million investment from the Calgary Foundation and an anonymous donor will establish Calgary Foundation Early Learning Centres (ELCs) at Saddletowne, Signal Hill, Forest Lawn and Crowfoot Libraries, increasing the Library’s number of ELCs from five to 10 by the end of the year. Funding from the Major & Signature Grant also enhanced training for staff and volunteers, providing them with tools to support children and families in our city.“Reaching children aged birth to five sets the course for their future,” said Paul McIntyre Royston, President & CEO of the Calgary Public Library Foundation. “Libraries have always been huge proponents of early learning, and the Calgary Foundation’s investment will help the Library support families and children across our city—building an even stronger Calgary.”Early Learning Centres are one piece of the Library’s Early Learning Strategy, a comprehensive and transformative model for early childhood learning based on five areas of focus: spaces, people, collections, programs, and research. Guided by existing research and collaboration with various academic and community partners, the strategy aims to support local families and prepare children for lifelong learning and success. The strategy envisions the Library as a global leader in early learning research. View the full Early Learning Strategy at calgarylibrary.ca/publications.The Calgary Foundation is a Founding Partner of Add In—the Campaign for Calgary’s Library. Through the Library Foundation, the Library is seeking $20 million of philanthropic investment in early learning as part of the Add In campaign. To support early learning at the Library, visit addin.ca/early-learning.Calgary Public LibraryCalgary Public Library, with 600,000+ members, has been inspiring the life stories of Calgarians for more than 100 years. It is currently the second largest library system in Canada and the sixth largest municipal library system in North America, with Calgarians borrowing more than 15.8 million physical and digital items and with 6.7 million in-person visits last year. Preparations are underway for the awe-inspiring 240,000 sq. ft. New Central Library, to open in late 2018.Calgary Public Library FoundationAdd In—the Campaign for Calgary’s Library, is the largest public campaign for a public library in Canadian history. The $350 million campaign will enhance and support a system of community libraries across Calgary and is inspired by the New Central Library, which will open its doors to the world in 2018. To learn more about Add In and the Calgary Public Library’s vision to create the best public library in the world for Calgarians, visit www.addin.ca.Calgary FoundationSince 1955, Calgary Foundation has been nurturing a healthy, vibrant, giving and caring community that values diversity and supports all people. We build a community where citizens are engaged, and where a strong and sustainable charitable sector serves the current and emerging needs of Calgary and area.- 30 -Media Contacts:Rachael TernerManager of CommunicationsCalgary Public Library FoundationC: 403.680.0626rachael@addin.caTaylor BarrieDirector, CommunicationsCalgary FoundationC: 403.542. 8445TBarrie@calgaryfoundation.org
Read more about "Stories"Nellie Befus has volunteered with Calgary Public Library for 44 consecutive years. At age 90, she holds the distinction of being the Library’s oldest volunteer, and one of the Library’s longest-serving volunteers.Her dedication to the Library was sparked on a warm fall day in 1974, when Nellie bumped into her brother-in-law on a downtown street. “How are things with you?” he asked.Nellie was feeling bored; with her four children now grown, she found herself with a lot of free time. Her brother-in-law had an idea. The oil and gas company where he worked had recently received a letter from the Library, recruiting volunteers for a new program.The program, called Homebound Readers, would see volunteers deliver Library items to people who could not visit the Library because of mobility or health concerns. Nellie was intrigued. She had never volunteered before, but something about the letter caught her eye.“I read the letter, then I marched right down to the Library,” she remembers. “I went straight up to the fifth floor and I went to somebody and I said, ‘I would like to be a volunteer.’”‘An Amazing Volunteer’Nearly a half-century later, Nellie continues to volunteer with Calgary Public Library.“Nellie is an amazing volunteer,” says Azmin Poonja, Manager, Volunteer Resources. “She is one of those volunteers that every organization dreams about. She is reliable, committed, and most importantly, she cares about people and has a passion for literacy. Nellie is a perfect fit for the Library, and her dedication to volunteering is exceptional.”Nellie, however, is quick to shrug off any praise. She’s matter-of-fact about why she has volunteered for decades: “There’s just something it does to you when you can do something for somebody else, you know?”Books by Bus and BicycleNellie started volunteering with the Homebound Readers program at its outset. She took city buses — and occasionally rode her bicycle — to deliver books to readers. She travelled across the city, between libraries and various residences. “These people needed reading, and they couldn’t get out,” she says. “Yes, some of the books were heavy, but I wasn’t an old lady then.”Along the way, Nellie, who had never been much of a reader, started to spend her bus rides reading.Nellie has warm memories of the people she befriended through Homebound Readers and the moments they shared: the stories eagerly told over tea, the “melt in your mouth” shortbread cookies she ate (and got the recipe for), the pet bird who could say “pretty Nellie.”Nellie continued to volunteer with the program into her 80s. When carrying books on the bus became challenging, she started helping with Libraries in Residence. Program volunteers display mini libraries of items, selected by Library staff, in seniors’ residences or continuing care facilities. ‘A Very Good Idea’Today, Nellie proudly runs the Library in Residence at the retirement home where she lives, helping fellow residents sign out books. She stays in close touch with Library staff, who deliver fresh titles to the residence every few months.“Nellie goes to great lengths to ensure that the program is running smoothly and to promote the program to new residents,” says Luke Gray, who oversees the Libraries in Residence program in his role with the Library’s Special Services department.“Nellie’s commitment to volunteering is unwavering. I really appreciate her no-nonsense demeanor, her genuine sense of humour, and her passion for literacy. Nellie sincerely recognizes the importance of the Library in the community.”In her seniors’ home and throughout Calgary Public Library, Nellie has become well-known for her optimistic attitude and cheerfulness. “Be nice. See what happens,” she says.Now a great-grandma, Nellie enjoys playing “silly games” on her iPad and working on jigsaw puzzles. She likes to read and lists Catherine Cookson and Mary Higgins Clark as her favourite authors.Looking back, Nellie says joining the Library as a volunteer in the ’70s was “a very good idea.” She plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can. And when she’s no longer able to get her own books, Nellie hopes there will be a Library volunteer to bring books to her.We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘There’s Just Something Volunteering Does to You’ Our longest serving volunteer Nellie Befus has seen a lot over the course of her Library Story"Rowena Liu-Poon has been practicing tai chi for over 25 years. Now retired from her work at a post-secondary library, she uses a free meeting room at Nicholls Family Library to teach a free tai chi class. “I can share my interests, I can pass on what I’ve learned about tai chi to my students, and hopefully I am able to make a contribution,” Rowena says. “It’s a great way for me to stay connected with the community in my retirement years.”We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories 'I can share my interests' Rowena Liu-Poon uses meeting room space as part of her Library Story"The Calgary Library is pleased to announce that Sarah Meilleur, currently Director of Service Delivery, has been appointed Interim CEO for the Calgary Public Library, effective Friday, April 9. Sarah Meilleur is replacing current CEO, Mark Asberg, who has accepted a new opportunity at Queen’s University.Sarah Meilleur has worked at the Library for more than a decade in a variety of roles. Her leadership as Director of Service Delivery has included many achievements, including the plan for innovation development and the successful launch of the new Central Library. Recently, she oversaw the Library’s pandemic response and the reopening of locations.As shared in February, the Library Board has formed a CEO Search Committee with the objective of hiring a new CEO for the Calgary Public Library. To support recruitment efforts, the Library Board has engaged Boyden: Canada to complete an executive search.On behalf of the Board, staff, volunteers, and members of the Calgary Public Library, I wish to thank Sarah for stepping into the Interim CEO role. The challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year have clearly emphasized the vital role that Library’s play in our communities and we are thrilled to have her leading the organization forward.Thank you.Avnish MehtaBoard Chair, Calgary Public Library
Read more about "Stories Calgary Library Announces Interim CEO"Three beginner camps in Blackfoot, Cree, and Michif, the language of the Métis people, are being offered this fall in partnership with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary.Language is a crucial part of a culture, and these sessions are intended to help revitalize language within city limits. Teneya Gwin, Indigenous Service Design Lead at the Calgary Public Library, says she hopes people will see it as an opportunity to build community.“The Library is a place where all people are welcome,” Gwin says. “Indigenous people have the chance to reconnect to their language, and non-Indigenous people are introduced to the language.”The camps were full within a few weeks of registration opening, and having a wait list speaks volumes, Gwin says. They had heard from the community that opportunities like this were wanted, and the Library was fortunate to partner with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre on this initiative.“Language is so connected to culture,” Gwin says. “Language is a huge component of who you are as an Indigenous person, and a lot of Indigenous people are at risk of losing their language.”There’s plans to offer intermediate-level gatherings starting in January for Blackfoot, Cree, and Michif, and Gwin says she hopes to be able to offer more Treaty 7 languages in the future.Register for camps like these or view more Library programming at calgarylibrary.ca/programs, accessible with your free Library card.
Read more about "Stories"