You can read all about and register for our programs online here. Calgary Public Library programming is currently happening online, with plans to begin some in-person programs at select locations April 4.
Elders are available for drop-in discussions at the Elders' Guidance Circle during the dates and times listed. Visitors are not guaranteed a private visit during drop-in hours, so we recommend booking a meeting if you have a specific request.
Read more about "January open office hours with the Elders"1950s 1950: Glengarry Library opens. 1952: The Bookmobile begins service in October 1952. 1954: Alexander Calhoun Library opens in the South Calgary neighbourhood. 1959: Louise Riley Library opens in the Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill neighbourhood.
Read more about "1950s"Learning about coding helps kids develop problem-solving and logic skills, and practice persistence. Kids ages six to nine will learn the basics of coding and create their own game in Coding Buddies. This program is offered at a number of Library locations and requires registration . Kids ages 10 to 12 will learn to create their own game, design a website, and more in Code Club, with instruction designed for beginner coders. This program is offered at a number of Library locations and requires registration .
Read more about "Learning about coding helps kids develop problem-solving and logic skills, and practice persistence."The Songwriter in Residence is a 10-week residency that supports emerging and established songwriters working in any genre, be it pop, folk, jazz, blues, country, soul, or hip-hop.This program provides our community with learning experiences, including performing, publishing, and songwriting opportunities.Applications to discover our next Songwriter in Residence will open in 2022.
Read more about "Music to help build, inspire, and support community"The Elders’ Guidance Circle This is a space for anyone to speak to Indigenous Elders from multiple nations. Here, Elders are able to provide education, storytelling, and a spiritual component to programming and services, including ceremony and smudges. Drop in on this level of Central Library to experience the space for yourself. Supported by Suncor Energy Foundation. Learn about Elders' Guidance Circle
Read more about "The Elders’ Guidance Circle"Three Ways to Celebrate Freedom to Read Week Even in 2018, books are still being challenged and facing formal attempts of removal from schools and libraries. Freedom to Read Week, running from Sunday, February 25 to Saturday, March 3, 2018, is an annual event encouraging Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Here are three ways Calgarians can participate:1. Pick up a Challenged BookOn Monday, Feburary 26, Bill Ptacek, Calgary Public Library CEO, will launch Freedom to Read Week in Calgary by presenting Mayor Naheed Nenshi and City Council with a copy of This One Summer. Written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by her cousin Jillian Tamaki, the award-winning graphic novel is a coming of age story set in Ontario’s cottage country about two preteen friends.This One Summer was named the most challenged book in 2016 by the American Library Association. The book includes LGBT characters, drug use and profanity, and is considered sexually explicit with mature themes. School libraries in Florida and Minnesota have removed the book from shelves, a move protested by free-speech groups.2. Celebrate Rebel Readers On Monday, February 26, from 5:30 to 7 pm, join us for Freedom to Read Week activities at Memorial Park Library. Discover an assortment of “rebel” activities on the Main Floor, including banned books trivia and mugshots, readings from censored LGBTQ content by local drag queen royalty, and a curated collection of books and videos from the Calgary Outlink LGBTQ Library and Fairy Tales Presentation Society. Ages 16 and up. Doors open at 5 pm. The collection will be on display until Sunday, March 4.Then, from 7 to 8 pm, Wordfest, the Writers’ Guild of Alberta, and Calgary Public Library are teaming up to present a surprise, incendiary program on This One Summer. Head to the Second Floor for a discussion about the censorship and controversy surrounding Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki’s This One Summer. Anne Logan, of the website I’ve Read This, hosts the discussion.3. Flaunt Banned BooksShop the Calgary Public Library Foundation’s Library Store and flaunt banned books. Put a sock in censorship with banned books socks, pour your favourite hot drink into the banned books mug and watch as banned book titles begin to appear, stay warm with a banned books scarf, and brighten up your restricted reading section with a banned books matchbox set. Plus, every purchase through librarystore.ca supports the essential work of Calgary Public Library and enhances programs, services, and collections.
Read more about "Stories"How has the Calgary Public Library made a difference in your life?We posed this question one year ago, and started sharing people’s answers through our Library Stories initiative. Calgarians told us memorable stories, about how the Library made them feel connected to their community, how it brought families closer together, and how it helped during challenging times.For Henry Bastidas, who came to Canada from Venezuela, at first, the Library was where he attended free ESL, careers, and technology programs. Today, it’s a place where he gives back and helps others, by volunteering with the popular after-school program Math Quest.Daniel Rankin and his daughter Christine were impressed to learn they could sign out instruments at Memorial Park Library, and use their new Library cards at home to download eBooks and take online courses. More importantly, they discovered the Library was a place to be together.Connections are also key for Mirna Khaled and her twins Julia and Jalal, who regularly visit Forest Lawn Library. Libraries are the perfect place to meet neighbours and friends, they say. Forest Lawn Library is also where Michelle Robinson organizes an Indigenous-focused book club that she says has changed her life.These are just a few of the stories Calgarians have shared over the past year, since the launch of the Library Stories initiative.We heard from people of varying ages, from 11-year-old Esandi Babaranda — who loves reading at the beautiful Crowfoot Library — to 90-year-old Nellie Befus, who has volunteered with Calgary Public Library for 44 consecutive years.For some people, including Stephanie Mok and Scottie Grinton, Calgary’s libraries have been a safe place they turned to during challenging times.Others credit the Library with helping shape their careers, like Val Lawton, who spent countless hours at Giuffre Family Library when starting out as a children’s book illustrator.For newcomer Boban Stojanovic, receiving a Library card at Nose Hill Library was significant. Amid an ongoing refugee claimant process, the card gave him a sense of belonging and made him feel equal to other Calgarians.The subject of our most recent Library Story, Frank O’Keeffe, first signed up for a Calgary Public Library card about 50 years ago. How he uses the Library has changed over the years, from a place to study to a place to feel companionship. Libraries, says Frank, are invaluable places in our communities.Thank you to the many people who shared their stories with us over the past year!We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories One Year of Library Stories The Library has been inspiring life stories for over 100 years. This year, we started sharing them."Volunteer Qualifications Fluent in English Strong communication and interpersonal skills Patient and reliable Ability to work effectively with diverse populations Volunteer Responsibilities Attend an orientation and training session Support participants in their literacy goals Maintain a supportive, fun, and enriching environment Participate in the program for a minimum of one year
Read more about "Volunteer Qualifications Volunteer Responsibilities"The use of Calgary Public Library space is governed by a principle of free and open access to the public. As part of its contribution to the Calgary community, the Library provides use of its program rooms and the Central Library’s Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall to groups under the following terms and conditions. Failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in withdrawal of room use privileges.
Read more about "The use of Calgary Public Library space is governed by a principle of free and open access to the public."Join us to learn about what grief and loss look like, their impacts on daily life, taking care of yourself while grieving, and how to best help someone who is grieving. Volunteers...
Read more about "Healthy Living: Understanding the Experience of Grief"The Musical Artist in Residence is a 10-week residency that supports emerging and established musicians working in any genre, with any instrument. This program provides our community with learning experiences, including performing, publishing, and songwriting opportunities.
Read more about "Music to help build, inspire, and support community"