You can learn about and register for programs for children of all ages here. To see which programs you are already registered for, click here
Bonjour! ¿Cómo estás? Grazie! These phrases might look familiar, but learning a language goes beyond the basics. Get practical knowledge with Rosetta Stone — one of the world’s most respected language learning solutions. It offers lessons in over 30 languages and is available for free with your Library card. Whether you want to discuss in Dari, inform in Italian, or talk in Turkish, here are some of the features that set Rosetta Stone a step above the rest for language learning. Seek and Speak Turn your everyday environment into practical language practice using your phone or tablet camera. Just point and shoot within the app to pull up information about how the object of your choice is pronounced in the language you’re studying. Practical Lesson Topics Learning with this app is catered to your needs, and you can begin to learn the parts of the language you’re interested in right away. Learning a new language for your job? Focus on topics like Business and Industry, or Professions and Hobbies. Want to learn a new language with your classmates? Study up on Work and School — or maybe Friends and Social Life. Lesson Structure Each step of your learning is broken down into parts of language theory that are easy to digest. After each Core Lesson, which acts as an overview of what you’re about to learn, you will go into greater detail on Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking, depending on the lesson. Reasonable Teaching Times Larger lessons are broken down into smaller pieces, so you can progress towards your goals in a meaningful way whenever you have a spare moment. Lesson times vary from five to ten minutes each and are labelled so that you know how long each lesson will take before you begin, allowing you to squeeze in some learning any time. Phrasebook It can be hard to learn a language when you don’t know any other speakers to practice with. You can substitute that in-person interaction with Phrasebook. With this feature, hear native speakers of the language you’re learning pronounce common words and phrases so that you can get a feel for how the language works in real life, with real people. Stories The best way to learn a new skill is to practice it. After you’ve completed each Core Lesson, check out Stories for a chance to apply what you’ve learned in a more holistic way, by listening to and reading stories in the language you’re studying. This gives you a chance to identify and use the phrases you’ve learned in a more conversational environment than the simple sentences used in the Core Lessons. Accessible Anywhere Rosetta Stone doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity to deliver lessons. You can choose from plenty of pre-downloaded lessons within each learning unit — so you have time to brush up on your skills wherever you are. Download Rosetta Stone for iOS and Android.
Read more about "Stories Learn Languages Online for Free with Rosetta Stone"Join Elder Adrian as he shares an academic overview of the history of Indigenous science, medicine, and libraries before settler-colonial contact. There will be time for questions...
Read more about "Star Stories, Apothecaries and Libraries: Pre-Contact Americas with Elder Adrian"Four years ago, Henry Bastidas left his home in Venezuela and moved to Canada. Henry sought a safer place; he lived near the capital city Caracas, one of the most dangerous cities in the world.An engineer in Venezuela, Henry arrived in Calgary speaking only Spanish. He soon started an ESL program at the University of Calgary, where a friend recommended he also attend drop-in ESL classes at the Calgary Public Library. Eager to improve his English, he decided to check out the free newcomer programs.That little tip from a friend spurred Henry to get a Library card, instantly connecting him to his new city. “Back home, we don’t have libraries like this. There, a library is just storage for books,” Henry says. “Here, I love how dynamic the libraries are, all the activities they do. People are engaged and involved and I think that’s a very good thing.”The ESL classes at the Library helped Henry gain confidence in speaking English. Next, he tried out other free Library programs, including small business programs to work on his resumé and LinkedIn profile and technology programs to learn Excel and PowerPoint.Giving BackIn early 2015, less than a year after arriving in Canada, Henry applied to volunteer at Calgary Public Library. “The Library helped me a lot,” Henry says. “After I finished my courses, I decided to try to give back to this community that now I call home.”Henry began volunteering for kids’ math and coding programs, first at Central Library. “I just wanted to try and help kids a little bit with the things I know, like math,” he says. The experience helped him land his first job in Canada; with no work history here, he says the volunteer gig on his resumé was crucial.As Henry has moved throughout Calgary, he’s continued to volunteer at the Library closest to him, including Forest Lawn, Village Square, Fish Creek, and Sage Hill libraries.Today, Henry studies energy asset management at SAIT and works part-time. He continues to volunteer with Math Quest, helping students in Grades 1 to 6 use math to complete challenges throughout the Library. The after-school program makes numeracy fun — for the students, and for Henry.Energizing Experience“The kids get so excited every time they read a card and accomplish any of the quests,” he says. “I like how energetic they are. Every time I leave the Library, I feel like I did something good here. Instead of draining your energy, this gives you more energy.”“Henry’s strong commitment to helping students learn is a real gift to our youth volunteers that he mentors and to the children participating in our programs,” says Muneerah Vasanji, Volunteer Resources Coordinator at Calgary Public Library. “Henry stands out for his solid work ethic, patience, dedication, and leadership. Henry genuinely cares about making a tangible difference in our community and we are so fortunate to have him as an integral part of our volunteer team.”Henry had never volunteered before; it’s not really part of the norm in Venezuela, he says. “But here, I feel like it’s very important to do. Even though sometimes I have a very busy schedule, going to school and working, I always find when I make time to come volunteer I have fun.,” Henry says.Henry continues to be a dedicated Library member, recommending free programs to others and taking time to look around and pick up a new book. “The Library is my happy place,” he says. “There is always something going on, and you can find everything you are into.”We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘The Library is My Happy Place’ Henry Bastidas helps others learn as part of his Library Story"In Spring 2020, a new collection will be available for you to browse through the Calgary Public Library website. The Newcomer Stories Collection from the Centre for Newcomers is a digital archive of personal stories shared by new Canadians. This collection of videos offers a glimpse into each subject’s immigration experience, and sheds light on the trials and triumphs of moving to a different country.The videos in this collection were created by the Centre for Newcomers with the help of the Audio and Video Recording Studios located at Central Library. The project was part of the Centre’s Legacy Gift to the Community, celebrating their 30th anniversary, and was made possible with the support of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Canadian Heritage, and Alberta Culture and Tourism.The full collection, which includes over 300 personal accounts from new Canadians, will be available to the public in 2020 through Calgary Public Library’s Digital Library, but you can preview a few videos now.
Read more about "Stories Introducing the Newcomer Stories Collection The Centre for Newcomers' 30th Anniversary Legacy Gift to the Community"Daniel Rankin and his daughter Christina stumbled across Memorial Park Library, and signing up for a Library card only brought them closer together.We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories Daniel & Christina Rankin’s Library Story A father and daughter bond in this Library Story"A group of misfits, artists, and drug users operates a renegade safe injection site in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Love in the Time of Fentanyl is an intimate portrait of a...
Read more about "Addictions Don't Discriminate: Love in the Time of Fentanyl Screening"Val Lawton is an illustrator who has worked on more than 30 books. Ever since she was a kid, she dreamed about becoming an artist — and credits Calgary Public Library with helping her get there.“I owe Calgary Public Library a great deal, as it was there that I did all my research, where I discovered who my favourite illustrators are, where I determined what my favourite illustration style is, and where I researched the business side of the children’s book publishing industry,” she says.That journey started in 2000, when Val was a stay-at-home mom of a toddler son and infant daughter. A friend of Val’s was secretly writing a book, which she sold to a New York City publisher. Val remembers feeling encouraged when her talented friend told her, “If I could draw like you, I’d be illustrating books.”It was the push she needed. Val decided to start pulling together an art portfolio and market herself as a children’s book illustrator. To do that, she spent hours and hours at the Giuffre Family Library (then known as the Alexander Calhoun Library), poring over the children’s book collection.Val took out books illustrated by Quentin Blake, Simon James, and Charlotte Voake, and used them for inspiration as she practiced her own art over and over again. (Quentin Blake, best known for illustrating books written by Roald Dahl, remains Val’s favourite illustrator.)During her kids’ naptime or after their bedtime, Val would draw. “You just have to slog away at it,” she says. “With those practice pieces, I would find some pieces that I thought were particularly good, and I’d put them in my portfolio. Then I learned how to start approaching publishers.”For that, she used the Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market book in the Library’s collection, a directory with hundreds of listings for publishers. “Slowly but surely, I got the odd job here, then something would snowball into something else,” she says.Val’s illustrations start with pencil outlines in scratchy, black India ink. She lets that sit overnight, then paints with watercolours. Val describes her style as whimsical but not saccharine. “I like not too much detail. Sometimes I’ll do faces that only have eyes. You have to sort of fill in the blank. It’s a relaxed kind of style, not too fussy.”That’s the style Val has long found herself drawn to in other books. “I like illustrations that aren’t too clean, aren’t too polished, leave a little bit up to the imagination,” she says. “I just found my kids seemed to gravitate to that style of illustration as well, so that’s always what’s appealed to me.”Val went on to work full-time as an illustrator, specializing in children’s books. Seeing her illustrations in published books feels “out of this world,” she says. “It’s very exciting.” Her work as an illustrator opened other doors, too, like working as an artist-educator in classrooms through the Royal Conservatory’s Learning Through the Arts program.As the publishing industry changes, Val increasingly works on self-published projects. She enjoys the connections it brings. “I get to work with the author, the person who has actually created the story, whereas in the traditional world of publishing I never meet the author,” she says.One of those self-publishing projects happened a few years ago, with the Calgary Food Bank. Val illustrated the book Emma and the Food Bank, of which proceeds support Calgary Food Bank services and programs. That led Val to her newest gig, a part-time role with the organization as Food Industry Coordinator. Val continues to illustrate part-time, and continues to be an avid and appreciative Library user.“I just think the public Library is the greatest resource on the planet,” she says. “It’s astounding what it does.”We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘The Greatest Resource on the Planet’ Val Lawton Library Story's helped her share her art with the world"Be mindful to not interrupt the Elder who is sharing until they give you the space to speak. This shows the Elder that you respect them and their teachings.
Read more about "Give your time and attention."Michelle Robinson inspires reconciliation with her Library Story
Read more about "Michelle Robinson’s Library Story"A book club at the Library was the beginning of Susan Calder's Library Story
Read more about "Susan Calder's Library Story"Growing up, Stephanie Mok found the Library to be a “safe haven.”Stephanie, now 27, grew up in southeast Calgary and frequented Fish Creek Library and Southwood Library. She spent most of her time after school and on weekends, from the age of 8 until she was 14, at the Library. To Stephanie, this was “a pretty critical timeline” in her life.“Honestly, it was the spot that I would come to all the time. Things in my home life were not ideal so as opposed to hanging out in the neighbourhood, I found [the Library] was an enriching place, a safer spot and also a place where you could meet up with a friend from school and not feel embarrassed,” said Stephanie. “It was kind of my little secret place I would go.”Being an only child of a single mother, who worked long hours during the evenings and weekends as a nurse, Stephanie used the Library as a place to go instead of going home to an empty house. She said her mother was comforted to know that she was at the Library, doing homework or reading about unicorns — science fiction was her favourite genre. Sitting in the Fish Creek Library today brings back memories of Stephanie’s youth. Although some things have changed, she says the Library is still a stunning space. Stephanie remembers liking that the staff and other people who frequented the Library were happy to answer questions or let her use a computer to look up things she was interested in.“I was never uncomfortable, I was always happy,” Stephanie said with nostalgia.Over time, Stephanie’s connection to the Library has changed. She used to work for United Way, where she would find volunteers to help deliver tax clinics at libraries around the city.Stephanie now works as an organizer for the Calgary Folk Music Festival, while pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work at the University of Calgary. She is also the president of Otafest, an anime convention in Calgary. As the organization doesn’t have a physical location, they’re constantly looking for places to hold meetings. The Library’s free and bookable meeting rooms are an accessible place for the group to meet.Throughout her life, the Library has been — and continues to be — an important place. “I found a safe haven, which broadened my horizons and, I believe, saved my life.”We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘The Library Broadened My Horizons’ Stephanie Mok’s Library Story helped her through a difficult childhood"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.
Read more about "Stories"Bonjour! ¿Cómo estás? Grazie! These phrases might look familiar, but learning a language goes beyond the basics. Get practical knowledge with Rosetta Stone — one of the world’s most respected language learning solutions. It offers lessons in over 30 languages and is available for free with your Library card. Whether you want to discuss in Dari, inform in Italian, or talk in Turkish, here are some of the features that set Rosetta Stone a step above the rest for language learning. Seek and Speak Turn your everyday environment into practical language practice using your phone or tablet camera. Just point and shoot within the app to pull up information about how the object of your choice is pronounced in the language you’re studying. Practical Lesson Topics Learning with this app is catered to your needs, and you can begin to learn the parts of the language you’re interested in right away. Learning a new language for your job? Focus on topics like Business and Industry, or Professions and Hobbies. Want to learn a new language with your classmates? Study up on Work and School — or maybe Friends and Social Life. Lesson Structure Each step of your learning is broken down into parts of language theory that are easy to digest. After each Core Lesson, which acts as an overview of what you’re about to learn, you will go into greater detail on Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking, depending on the lesson. Reasonable Teaching Times Larger lessons are broken down into smaller pieces, so you can progress towards your goals in a meaningful way whenever you have a spare moment. Lesson times vary from five to ten minutes each and are labelled so that you know how long each lesson will take before you begin, allowing you to squeeze in some learning any time. Phrasebook It can be hard to learn a language when you don’t know any other speakers to practice with. You can substitute that in-person interaction with Phrasebook. With this feature, hear native speakers of the language you’re learning pronounce common words and phrases so that you can get a feel for how the language works in real life, with real people. Stories The best way to learn a new skill is to practice it. After you’ve completed each Core Lesson, check out Stories for a chance to apply what you’ve learned in a more holistic way, by listening to and reading stories in the language you’re studying. This gives you a chance to identify and use the phrases you’ve learned in a more conversational environment than the simple sentences used in the Core Lessons. Accessible Anywhere Rosetta Stone doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity to deliver lessons. You can choose from plenty of pre-downloaded lessons within each learning unit — so you have time to brush up on your skills wherever you are. Download Rosetta Stone for iOS and Android.
Read more about "Stories Learn Languages Online for Free with Rosetta Stone"Calgary Public Library now has five mobile libraries that are rolling into communities around the city!Three vehicles are Book Trucks, bringing books, movies, and other Library services directly to the community. Our Book Trucks stop at regularly scheduled locations, and are also available to visit school or community events. Come aboard the Book Truck to get a free Library card, browse and borrow items, return items, or attend seasonal children’s programs.The fleet of libraries on wheels also includes two Story Trucks. These vehicles are designed to bring literacy activities directly to young children at day homes in select neighbourhoods. Library staff share stories, songs, and rhymes with children, through the Library Month at Your Day Home program.For our newest Story Truck, the Library worked with Mo Willems, children’s author and creator of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and many other beloved titles.“The fact that the Story Truck team is leaving the building and going directly to the kids means they rock that much more!” Mo Willems says.Want the Story Truck to visit your day home? Requests can be made via this form. You can also request a Book Truck visit for your community event or school.
Read more about "Stories Meet the Library’s Newest Story Truck"The Storyteller in Residence is a new residency that includes workshops, one-on-one consultations, and the gathering of stories from the community. Storytellers and listeners of all ages will find elements to enjoy during this residency.
Read more about "Connecting people to new ideas and stories "