Top staff picks to get buried in this winter, if snow ever does arrive, from the Central Library's friendly team of readers' advisory experts.
Read more about "Read All Winter Away"Canadian Municipal Land Corporation American Institute of Architects: 2019 AIA/ALA Library Building Award - The Central Library 2019 SEGD Global Design Awards, Merit Award for Wayfinding - The Central Library Mayor's Urban Design Awards, Great City Great Design - New Central Library Entro Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum for wayfinding and signage design for the Central Library Photos by Michael Grimm.
Read more about "Canadian Municipal Land Corporation"'\n ', 'Volunteer Resources can provide a certificate of hours or a reference letter upon request for volunteers who need a record of their Library volunteer contributions. If you need to complete community service hours, please let Volunteer Resources staff know before beginning the assignment.', 'Please contact Volunteer Resources at ', 'volunteers@calgarylibrary.ca', ' for work experience requests, or to ask about volunteering as a family.', '\n '
Read more about "'Youth volunteers must be at least 12 years old and in Grade 7 to volunteer independently.'"Councillor Kourtney Penner Committee Membership: City Councillor, Ward 11 Term End: 2024 Kourtney has always been an avid reader. As a kid, she loved library day in school, book fairs, and visits from what we now call the Book Truck. It’s no surprise that she studied English Literature in university. Now she enjoys attending and hosting events at the Library, bringing her own children to experience reading and playing, and taking out books (and occasionally returning them on time). Kourtney sees Calgary Public Library as an innovative civic institution, leading the way with both programming and building design. She is keen to support the continued value that Calgary Public Library delivers to Calgarians and encourage ongoing initiatives, especially those focused on youth, seniors, marginalized populations, and low-income Calgarians.
Read more about "Councillor Kourtney Penner"Have more questions? Contact our Library Hotline Our staff are here for you! If you have questions about our computer lending program or any other Library service, call out Library Hotline at 403.260.2600 .
Read more about "Have more questions? Contact our Library Hotline"Celebrate Pride with this dynamic playlist
Read more about "Pride: icons and anthems"This residency recognizes the contribution of children’s artists to literature through exhibitions and workshops for all ages.
Read more about "Children's Artist in Residence"'\n ', 'Volunteer Resources can provide a certificate of hours or a reference letter upon request for volunteers who need a record of their Library volunteer contributions.', 'If you need to complete community service hours, please let Volunteer Resources staff know before beginning the assignment so staff can confirm whether the request can be accommodated.', 'Thank you for your interest in supporting the Library as a volunteer.', '\n '
Read more about "'Find the right volunteer opportunity for you.'"History of Louise Riley Library Louise Riley Library opened in 1959 in the northwest community of Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill and has been a community hub ever since. It was named after Louise Riley, a beloved children’s librarian and author. Riley became well-known as the “story lady” for her popular children’s Story Hour sessions, broadcast weekly on radio airwaves starting in 1943. Photo: Calgary Public Library Archives, Our Story in Pictures
Read more about "History of Louise Riley Library"Playing “Gallery Games” is a great way to make viewing art a fun and engaging process for children and can help foster visual literacy skills. Many of these games can be played one-on-one as well as in a group. Try playing them while viewing art in person, reproduced in books, or in an online exhibition. All Ages Shape DetectiveNotice and draw the shapes and symbols you see in an artwork on small cards. Children can work alone or in pairs to find shapes in the artwork. For younger children, this activity can be done as a large group to find simple geometric shapes, such as circles and triangles. Line HuntNotice and draw specific lines from the artwork on small cards. Children can work alone or in pairs. Ask a volunteer to act out his or her line through body movement while the rest of the group tries to figure out which line in the artwork is being represented. Painting in ActionAn artist (one of the children) arranges the other children to become the artwork. Children use their bodies to become lines, shapes, colours, as well as objects in the work like rocks, trees, buildings and figures. The artist can guide them to where they need to stand and make suggestions for how to move their body. This is a great activity to learn about space in a painting, like the foreground, middle-ground, and background. Ages 6-9 ArtWordA caregiver or educator writes descriptive words on small cards, one word per card. Some descriptive words examples are smooth, rough, warm, gloomy, bounce, surprise, lonely, etc. Have children choose one card from the pile and try to find a piece of artwork that best matches their word. Encourage them to explain their choice. What will you choose?Divide children into groups and assign a space to each group of children. For example, laundromat, grocery store, school, museum, kitchen, office, restaurant, library, hospital, etc. Each group then must choose five pieces of artwork that they believe would best fit in their assigned space. For example, a group assigned “kitchen” might choose a painting of a bowl of fruit. The group presents their choices and explains why those were chosen above the others. Amazing Shrink Machine Imagine shrinking down to the size of your thumb. You are now able to enter right into the artwork. Where would you enter the picture? Where would you travel? How far could you go? What would get in your way? What sounds can you hear? What can you taste? What can you smell? Art CharadesA child chooses an artwork without telling the group which one. Without speaking, they describe the artwork (lines, shapes, colours, and objects) through movements and actions. The rest of the group tries to guess the work. Older Children and Teens (9 – 17) EliminationImagine that the next place this group of artworks will be exhibited is very small and one of the artworks must be removed. Which one would you choose and why? Be prepared to defend your choice and explain your reasoning. Personal TasteChoose one of the artworks that would appeal to each of the following characters and describe why it would attract them: an elephant, a mosquito, a dancer, a baby, or a teacher. Curator GameAsk children if they know what a curator is. Explain the job of a curator, which is to select and defend artworks to be exhibited in a gallery. In small teams, children are assigned a work of art (or to be more challenging, they choose one they already like). Children then place themselves in the role of the curator and write down some positive statements about the artwork and a statement on why it is included in the gallery. The 33rd annual Children’s Art Exhibition, created by students at Wildflower Arts Centre and North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre, is online at the Calgary Public Library! Enjoy art created by nearly 100 students, ages 3 to 17, in sculpture, drawing, and mixed media.
Read more about "Stories Gallery Games for Caregivers and Educators"CALGARY, AB – Calgarians will now be able to borrow musical instruments thanks to the Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library program – the first of its kind in the region. This innovative program, available at the Calgary Public Library’s Memorial Park location, gives anyone with a valid library card the opportunity to borrow a variety of musical instruments. Earlier this year, Sun Life Financial announced the expansion of its highly successful Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library program to more cities across Canada in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. Calgary is now the fourth city in the country to be part of this innovative program.“Music can have a profound impact on a person’s life and being able to share and make music is something everyone deserves to experience,” said Paul Joliat, Assistant Vice-President, Philanthropy and Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial. “At Sun Life, we understand the importance of building healthy, sustainable communities and we are thrilled to be able to increase access to music through this program.”Sun Life Financial will be making a $140,000 philanthropic donation to the Calgary Public Library Foundation to fund the program operating costs, and is donating 150 instruments and accessories to the Memorial Park Library, including guitars, ukuleles, violins, drums, xylophones and portable keyboards. Sun Life has also created a series of seven short videos to assist individuals with the use, care and enjoyment of the instruments. Whether you’re a beginner picking up an instrument for the first time or a seasoned musician, the program is designed for anyone looking to explore the world of music.The Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library program is a natural extension of Sun Life’s support of music education, one that aligns perfectly with the company’s award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ program. Sun Life Financial believes arts and culture should be celebrated within our communities and made available to everyone, regardless of their means.“Music, like reading, is a gateway to the wider world of creativity and ideas,” said Bill Ptacek, CEO, Calgary Public Library. “The Library, through the Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library program, is bringing arts and culture to more Calgarians. We are grateful for Sun Life Financial’s continued investment in the Library and to arts and culture in our city. With their investment in innovation, Sun Life Financial is a valued Add In Campaign Founding Partner.”The Library will also be holding a Musical Instrument Donation Drive running from June 1 to July 1. Calgarians may drop off their donations at Memorial Park Library (1221 2 Street SW) and at Long & McQuade (225 58 Ave SE). See the instrument wish list for more information.The Sun Life Financial Musical Instrument Lending Library program was first launched at the Toronto Public Library in April 2016, and was later expanded to the Vancouver and Montréal Public Libraries. The program is already an overwhelming success in the first three cities, and all libraries are currently experiencing wait times to borrow an instrument.About Sun Life Financial in the communityAt Sun Life Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life and we’re proud to hold the Caring Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our Team Up Against DiabetesTM platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More AccessibleTM program. We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering over 40,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada. Read more about Sun Life Financial in the community.opens a new windowAbout 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.About 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 Foundation’s vision to create the best public library in the world for Calgarians, visit addin.ca.-30-Media Relations Contacts:Alessandra NigroManager, Corporate CommunicationsSun Life FinancialT. 416-979-4884C. 416-859-6918alessandra.nigro@sunlife.com
Read more about "Stories"On September 30, people across Canada wear orange shirts to honour the Residential School experience, to support Survivors and their families, and to show their commitment to truth and reconciliation. This month we honour those who tell their stories.
Read more about "Orange Shirt Day 2023"Houmou Guiro is no stranger to libraries. She has visited them since she was seven years old, checking out books every few weeks. But when Houmou moved from France to Canada two years ago, she discovered a library system much different than the one she was used to.There were books to read in Calgary’s libraries, plus so much more. Houmou joined an ESL Coffee and Conversation Club to practice her English, and later signed up for an ESL Writing Club. She improved her English skills and met friends at the programs, which helped her to feel more at home in a new city.“The Library in Calgary is very awesome,” Houmou says. “In Paris, you take your books and that’s it. Here, you have services for babies, for newcomers. If you want to open a business, you have services. It’s all free and open and you can take 99 books out.”Houmou credits a resumé development program she took at the Library with helping her get her first job in Canada, at a retail store downtown. “I had a French resumé, but it’s very different how you do it in Canada. So I learned how to do it and got help to improve my resumé,” she says.She now works for a not-profit organization called PIA, which offers services and programs to francophone immigrants and refugees in Calgary. In this role, Houmou tells other newcomers about available services in the city, including all they can do with a free Library card.“I tell them ‘You have to go to the Library! It’s very good. You can take out a lot of books and a lot of everything else too,’” she says.Houmou is also an avid reader, regularly checking out French and English titles. She blogs about the books she’s reading and her life in Canada. Lately she’s been reading a lot of books about entrepreneurship and marketing, as she works on launching her own business: a French tutoring service for kids.When Houmou had her first child, Demba, she took him to a weekly Baby Rhyme Time program. “I didn’t know any English songs, so it was very good for me to meet some parents, talk about our babies, and sing with them in English. It was so cool,” she says.She brings 19-month-old Demba to Louise Riley Library or the new Central Library every few weeks, just as her family used to take her to the Library in France. “We play, we take books out, we read. He likes turning the pages,” she says. “He really likes coming here. I like the Library so much too.”We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories 'It's all free and open and you can take 99 books out' Houmou Guiro's Library Story helped her feel more at home in a new city"Marje Wing was working as manager of Memorial Park and Giuffre Family Library (then known as Alexander Calhoun Library) back in 2014, when architects first shared the plans for Calgary’s new Central Library building. Standing at the back of the room, where Calgarians had gathered for the unveiling, Marje remembers feeling blown away by the plans.Fast forward four years and Marje — who is now retired — will start leading patrons through the stunning new Library this November, as a volunteer guide for architecture tours. “I’m very excited,” she says.It’s just the latest volunteer endeavour for Marje, who retired from a nearly 35-year career at Calgary Public Library in 2015. About a year later she began volunteering at the Library.“I really believe in the Library. I love what the Library stands for,” Marje says. “This is my way of continuing to contribute to the Library.”Marje has volunteered with a variety of programs, including ESL programs, Special Events, and Colossal Playdates. “There’s such a huge range of things that you can do as a volunteer. You can find a fit with whatever your interests are,” Marje says.The same reasons that drew Marje to Calgary Public Library as an employee — that it’s a democratic institution, open to everyone — continue to inspire her as a volunteer. Plus, her new gig is a lot of fun.“I get on the floor with the babies at the playdates. I work one-on-one with an ESL student. I get to do things that are so different from when I was working,” she says. “Every time I do a shift at the Library, I come away with a bounce in my step.”Azmin Poonja, Manager, Volunteer Resources, describes Marje as a passionate and committed volunteer. “She is professional, accountable, and a natural leader. Marje is a great asset to our team of volunteers,” Azmin says.Calgary Public Library is recruiting volunteers for all libraries. If you would like to join the Library's team of volunteers, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Marje Wing Marje continues a 35-year involvement with the Library by volunteering"In honour of former Calgary Public Library CEO Bill Ptacek, who passed away earlier this year, the Calgary Public Library and Calgary Public Library Foundation are starting The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation. The Fund, created in consultation with the Ptacek Family, will support the growth of bold new ideas and initiatives at the Library in memory of this imaginative and passionate leader.Bill Ptacek (1950-2019) was a visionary who pushed libraries to evolve and respond to community needs. He believed that libraries should be vibrant, active community spaces that inspire people from all backgrounds and improve their quality of life. Bill dreamed big, bringing us striking projects like the New Adventures of Engine 23, and the Alouette III Helicopter at Seton Library. The funds in The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation will be used to support similarly remarkable ideas that honour Bill’s adventurous spirit and would have made him smile.The Fund will remain until all assets from it have been disbursed. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation can do so through donations to the Calgary Public Library Foundation.In keeping with Bill and his family’s wishes, there will not be a public memorial or formal celebration of life. Those that wish to remember Bill and celebrate his legacy can choose to walk, run and raise funds for The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation as part of the 2020 Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Charity Challenge on May 31, 2020. Bill enjoyed an active lifestyle and was an avid walker and cyclist. To honour Bill and his infectious energy, Library staff will be taking part in the marathon this year in his memory. All funds raised by our team will go towards The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation. To donate a portion of your registration fee to the Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation, choose the Calgary Public Library Foundation as your donation of choice when you register for the marathon.Calgary Public Library Foundation is an official charity partner for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge Program. To donate a portion of your registration fee to the Calgary Public Library Foundation's Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation, please register online.For more details on how to register and support the fund, please visit BillPtacekFund.ca
Read more about "Stories BILL PTACEK FUND FOR INNOVATION Remembering our former CEO with a new Library initiative"