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Read more about "Calgary Herald Online"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"Free Online Resources to Make Studying Easier Studying at home can be stressful, but these free online tools may help make it a little bit easier. From full theatre productions of Shakespeare plays to free online tutoring and practice tests, there’s a wide variety of quality digital resources to supplement your study sessions. We’ve highlighted a few major Alberta curriculum subject areas and some great digital resources to use along with them.French:Take the Learning French course from Kanopy's Great Courses collection, which includes a downloadable PDF workbook. Find photographs and articles about France in the National Geographic Virtual Library or read French magazines and newspapers on PressReader. L’encyclopedie Decouverte combines research with engaging activities to help beginners improve their French reading skills. Brush up on your French speaking and vocabulary with our free language learnings apps: Pronunciator, Transparent Language, and Rosetta Stone Library Solution. Science:Learn about famous scientists and research topics in applied sciences, biology, chemistry, earth science, energy, and astronomy with Science Reference Centre. Develop your scientific knowledge and skills with Learning Express, which has biology, chemistry, and earth science practice. Get Alberta curriculum-aligned online science tutoring with brainfuse HelpNow or access The Key practice tests and worksheets with SOLARO. Read teen science magazines like Brainspace for free on Flipster. Aboriginal Studies:Learn Indigenous languages such as Cree, Dakota, Oji-Cree, and Ojibwe from Transparent Language. Watch the documentary Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic from Kanopy's Great Courses collection and other international films about Indigenous topics, such as the classic Canadian film Nanook of the North. You can also watch films on Indigenous issues from the National Film Board of Canada on NFB Campus. Learn about Indigenous history, perspectives, cultures, and contemporary issues in the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. Study the colonial experience with Frontier Life, where you can find documents, maps, artwork, and photographs about settlers and Indigenous peoples of North America and beyond. Read SAY, a lifestyle magazine written about and for indigenous people and youth, on Flipster with any device. Math:Learning Express can help you improve your math skills with practice in algebra, data analysis, calculus, geometry, and more. Get Alberta curriculum-aligned online math tutoring with brainfuse HelpNow or access The Key practice tests and worksheets with SOLARO. Canada/Social Studies:Research Canada’s history and culture with articles from the Maclean’s Magazine Archive. The Canadian Encyclopedia lets you search for a specific topic on Canada’s history and culture or browse more than 30,000 multimedia items, including images, maps, games, audio, and video. Discover Canada’s historical figures with the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Search over 8,500 biographies of Canadians in history. With Early Canadiana Online you can search for information on major historical events, the development of institutions, genealogy, Canadian literature and politics, trades and tariffs, and more from the 16th to 20th century. Get Alberta curriculum-aligned online social studies tutoring with brainfuse HelpNow or access practice tests and worksheets with SOLARO. English Language Arts:Find full-text scholarly journals, literary magazines, biographies, criticisms, summaries, and more with Literature Resource Centre. Learning Express can help you improve reading comprehension, writing, spelling, and grammar with their high school resources. Watch theatre productions and critical analyses of Shakespeare plays and other literary masterpieces on Kanopy. LitFinder lets you explore full-text poems, short stories, novels, essays, speeches, plays, biographies, summaries, and more. Get Alberta curriculum-aligned online ELA tutoring with brainfuse HelpNow or access practice tests and worksheets with SOLARO. Music:Part of the school band? Supplement your musical skills with a variety of expert-led vocal and instrument lessons on ArtistWorks and LinkedIn Learning for Library. If you need some good studying tunes, enjoy currently unlimited, ad-free streaming on Freegal Music or relax with classical music from Naxos Music Library. General Research:Find articles, newspapers, and references books covering all subject areas with MasterFILE Premier. Academic Search Premier gives you access to full-text and peer-reviewed academic journals, magazines, trade publications, and newspapers on all major areas of research. Not yet a Library member? Sign up online for your free Library card to get access to the Digital Library and more of the Library’s online resources immediately.
Read more about "Stories School Resources for Teens"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"Back in grade 3, Matthew Tse signed up for the Computer Buddies program through Calgary Public Library and the experience altered the course of his young life.“I remember when I was one of those small buddies, not knowing anything about computers,” says Matthew. “My big buddy taught me everything I wanted to know and more. It was probably one of the best things that had happened in those dreary elementary school days. And so, I like to share with all my 'little buddies' this awesome feeling that I had felt when I was their age.”Soon to start Grade 10 at Western Canada High School, Matthew has been volunteering with the library for three years in the Computer Buddies program.Along with his early positive foray into volunteer supported programs at the Library, his two older siblings spoke highly of their own experience as Library Volunteers. With his mom’s encouragement, Matthew filled out the Volunteer Application.“It’s fun. I meet new people, and I learn new things through coaching,” shares Matthew. “Kids are used to using iPhones, not computers, so it’s great to see their typing improve and to see them having fun learning.”With a love of math and science, Matthew feels that being able to volunteer in a program that matches his interests is more like an extension of his hobbies. While it can be a balancing act to make his schedule work, he believes that it’s not about finding time; it’s about planning ahead and enjoying what he does with every moment of his time.Matthew is not alone. Forty-five per cent of Library Volunteers are between the ages of 12-17. Together with their adult counterparts, they contribute 53,000+ volunteer hours annually and so much more. “I want to demonstrate values like love, patience, commitment, and determination. I show these by patiently coaching my little buddies, and helping them with any challenges they face."
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Matthew Tse From little buddy to big buddy, Matthew has a long history with the Computer Buddies program"At the opening ceremony for Central Library on November 1, five special members joined Library CEO Bill Ptacek and Mayor Naheed Nenshi on stage. Instead of a ribbon-cutting, these people were presented with the first five Library cards issued at the new building. The five members represent more than 670,000 active Library members across Calgary.Alex Grinwis is a 17-year-old Grade 11 student who has been using Calgary Public Library since a very young age. Alex loves reading, and is also passionate about music — playing piano, guitar, ukulele, and currently learning violin. When asked what they’re looking forward to about the new building, they said: “I’m just looking forward to having such a cool space to be able to go and do homework or find new books.”Nikki Brule is the proud owner of Yummy Yogis, a small business she helped develop and grow by using the Library. Nikki does a lot of research for her business at the Library, and often brings along her six-year-old daughter. As an entrepreneur who works from home, she enjoys having a space to come to, surrounded by books, where she can work and connect with others.Mirna Khaled arrived in Calgary from Lebanon in 2015, in search of better opportunities for her children: nine-year-old twins Jalal and Julia. Mirna appreciates the accessibility of the Library as Julia has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. In Calgary, Mirna and her children visit the Library two to three times a week; they like to read, play, and meet new friends. There’s even a book about Julia, written by Mirna and Julia’s aunt, on library shelves!Frank O’Keeffe is a longtime Library member who first got his Calgary Public Library card about 50 years ago. Frank, who is originally from Ireland, is a former teacher who has written and published eight young adult novels. He recently published his first adult novel that staff members at Shawnessy Library helped to review. Frank visits the Library several times a week and brings his wife — who has Alzheimer’s — to the ESL Coffee and Conversation program, for some chitchat and good company. “As an older patron, what I get out of the Library now is companionship,” he says.Felix McLeod Saunders is just two and a half years old and is ready for his first Calgary Public Library card! His mother Maranda is excited to have a new, public space in Calgary where she and her young children can connect with their Indigenous culture and learn together. Plus, Felix is really into books.Special thanks to these five members and to everyone who joined us for the opening ceremony of Central Library!
Read more about "Stories Introducing the new Central Library’s First Five Members"Find thousands of full-text poems, short stories, novels, essays, speeches, plays, biographies, summaries, glossaries and more.LitFinder is an interactive research database. You can translate articles to over 40 languages, have articles read aloud to you, highlight and add notes, generate citations, and email, save or download selections and full articles to read later.
Read more about "A wealth of literary works and secondary source materials"Become a Library expert Central Library Tours Lead one-hour tours of Central Library, sharing stories, a brief history, and information about spaces. Art and Community Circuit Guide community walking tours around Central and Memorial Park libraries, focused on civic art, history, or nature. Special Events Help greet guests, provide information, and complete other tasks for special events at the Library.
Read more about "Become a Library expert"Back in grade 3, Matthew Tse signed up for the Computer Buddies program through Calgary Public Library and the experience altered the course of his young life.“I remember when I was one of those small buddies, not knowing anything about computers,” says Matthew. “My big buddy taught me everything I wanted to know and more. It was probably one of the best things that had happened in those dreary elementary school days. And so, I like to share with all my 'little buddies' this awesome feeling that I had felt when I was their age.”Soon to start Grade 10 at Western Canada High School, Matthew has been volunteering with the library for three years in the Computer Buddies program.Along with his early positive foray into volunteer supported programs at the Library, his two older siblings spoke highly of their own experience as Library Volunteers. With his mom’s encouragement, Matthew filled out the Volunteer Application.“It’s fun. I meet new people, and I learn new things through coaching,” shares Matthew. “Kids are used to using iPhones, not computers, so it’s great to see their typing improve and to see them having fun learning.”With a love of math and science, Matthew feels that being able to volunteer in a program that matches his interests is more like an extension of his hobbies. While it can be a balancing act to make his schedule work, he believes that it’s not about finding time; it’s about planning ahead and enjoying what he does with every moment of his time.Matthew is not alone. Forty-five per cent of Library Volunteers are between the ages of 12-17. Together with their adult counterparts, they contribute 53,000+ volunteer hours annually and so much more. “I want to demonstrate values like love, patience, commitment, and determination. I show these by patiently coaching my little buddies, and helping them with any challenges they face."
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Matthew Tse From little buddy to big buddy, Matthew has a long history with the Computer Buddies program"We’ve all been there. You’ve watched everything there is on Netflix, your eyes are tired from scrolling your newsfeed, and even TikTok can get old after the fifth hour in a row. If you’re out of ideas to keep you busy, you‘ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up a list of our favourite free boredom-crushing apps and resources to get you through even the longest day of nothing to do. All you need is a Library membership (which just so happens to be free too. Get it online and start trying these apps right away).Take free music lessonsAlways wanted to learn the guitar? Maybe you want to brush up on your piano-playing skills or learn to sing like Ari. ArtistWorks gives you access to a ton of free music lessons that you can do at your own pace and watch on your computer or smartphone wherever, whenever. Learn a new language Start preparing for that future vacation by learning a new language. Guess who gives you access to Rosetta Stone Library Edition for free? We do. Get started now and you’ll be speaking and reading in no time (maybe you can finally watch that anime without subtitles). Can't find a language you're interested in? Check out the new Transparent Language eResource for more options, including Indigenous languages such as Cree, Dakota, Denesuline, Gwich'in, Oji-Cree, Ojibwe, and more. Borrow a book without getting up from the couch Graphic novels, dystopian futures, high school romances — it's all on TeenBookCloud, and titles are always available with no holds. Now you can start reading or listening to that novel you’ve been meaning to get to without having to track down the physical book or worry about getting food stains on the pages. Do that thing you’ve always wanted to try Is “learn animation” on your bucket list? How about photography, creating YouTube content, or Python? We have an app for that too. Check an item off your dream to-do list by learning a new skill or hobby with LinkedIn Learning for Library. It’s got hundreds of expert-led video tutorials on all kinds of skills and topics (that you get access to for free, because we like learning). Listen to a good bookGive your tired eyes a break from screens and borrow an audiobook from Libby. Just download the free app to your smartphone or iPad and start listening to a book while you’re doing chores, making a snack, or winding down before bed. Find something new to watchSo you’ve already seen everything on Netflix and you’re running out of movie streaming ideas. Have you checked out Kanopy yet? Besides being free, it has tons of movies the other platforms don’t. From indie film festival favourites to popular Oscar-winners, we’re pretty sure you’ll discover a new gem. Start with our librarians’ recommendations of Must-See Movies About Growing Up or documentaries about video gaming and tech culture. Stream and download music for freeFind that perfect bop to dance or sing along to. Listen to ad-free music and download five free songs per week to your smartphone with Freegal Music. They have 15 million songs from over 40,000 labels, so you can grab your headphones and get lost in some good music. Want more free things to do at home? Be sure to check out our Library at Home section for other resources like these.Not yet a member? Sign up for your free Library card online and start using it immediately.
Read more about "Stories Seven Boredom-Crushing Ideas for Teens"More Indigenous language resources, as well as programming that preserves Indigenous culture and heritage, will soon be available at the Calgary Public Library. The Indigenous Languages Resource Centre will help protect, preserve, and promote Indigenous culture, thanks to $1 million in funding from the Government of Alberta.Located at Central Library, this will be the third centre of its kind in Canada, where anyone, with their free Library card, can access language learning, storytelling, elder guidance, and other materials.The project, which builds connections, supports lifelong learning and deepens understanding of community, is launching at the same time the United Nations declared 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages.“The Calgary Public Library is thrilled to acknowledge and support the United Nations’ 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages theme,” said Alayna Many Guns, Indigenous Service Design Lead for the Library. “Language nurtures identity, enhances spirit, and most importantly improves communication amongst families and communities.”More information about programming in the Indigenous Languages Resource Centre will be announced soon.
Read more about "Stories Indigenous Languages Resource Centre to be created at Central Library"Rosemary Griebel, Design Lead for Readers’ Services at the Calgary Public Library, started writing poetry as soon as she could start forming letters on a page. She started practising poetry more seriously 15 years ago, when she took a course with Richard Harrison, a Calgary poet and professor. Harrison won this year’s Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry.Rosemary’s favourite kinds of poetry are music, spoken word, and form poetry. However, she most often reads lyrical and free verse. Rosemary has advice for aspiring poets: “Read, read more, and keep on reading!”“I really believe that if you don’t have a passion for reading you won’t have the right passion for writing,” she said.One of her poetry mentors, Patrick Lane, said it is important to learn from the masters, and the only way you can learn from the masters is by reading them.If you’re an aspiring poet, follow Rosemary’s top five tips to start writing:Just breatheIn the Inuit language Inuktitut, the words “to breathe” and “to make a poem” are the same. Rosemary thinks of this often as it provides her the freedom to just sit down and write and see what appears, without worrying about meaning or listening to her inner critic. You must start somewhere, and it starts with that first word or sentence. Welcome what comes. The poems choosing you are the ones that need to be written.Commit to a regular time to writeFor Rosemary, it is early morning when her mind is clear and the world is quiet. But for many, it is late at night when the rest of the house is sleeping.Take inspiration from the world around youSometimes we forget that what is most miraculous is the ordinary. What poetry does best, is to make us see the familiar with awe.Be proud of your voiceAlways remember that what you write only you can write. Use of language and experiences are unique, so be proud of your authentic voice and experience. Find your method and voice, and then sing loud.Be patientBe patient and don’t be afraid of failure. It takes a lifetime to learn a craft and failure is part of the journey.
Read more about "Stories Poetic Advice from Rosemary Griebel, Local Poet and Longtime Writer"The opera house doors are open, and you’re invited! In this opera discovery session you’ll learn about opera as an artform, the story behind Calgary Opera’s next show, as well as...
Read more about "Opera 212: Unpacking Opera - Marriage of Figaro"LinkedIn Learning for Library is a free website and app that you can use to learn on the go and at home. It’s a great resource for people looking to try something new or expand on existing skills. Courses are sorted into popular topics. Not sure which interest to pursue first? Try some of these categories of study. Business You’re just a few courses away from taking that next step in your career with free business courses on LinkedIn Learning for Library. Because you get a certificate of achievement for every course you complete in this app, you can add the experience you gain to your resume, which can help impress employers. This app has courses on project management, marketing, team building, and improving your skills with Microsoft Office. Photography Learn tips and tricks for improving your photography skills. Want to take a better family photo? Know your camera equipment inside and out after studying tech tutorials, or learn how to take your photography on the go with tips for shooting with your mobile device. If you want to turn this hobby into some extra cash, then pick up some pointers for earning money shooting stock photography. Filmmaking Are you the next Steven Spielberg? Get the skills you need to break into the world of filmmaking. Begin by learning the latest advancements in programs like Adobe Premiere Pro CC and After Effects, and work your way up to creating your first short film. Music Make sweet music with lessons for every skill level in instruments from jazz piano to banjo. Let your songwriter dreams soar with vocal lessons and tips on writing and reading sheet music. Learn to polish your product by unlocking professional music production secrets. Then, once you’ve got your act together, find out how to make money from your gigs and merch sales by taking advantage of tax and accounting tips for musicians. Art and Animation Learn how to bring your story to life on the page with classes in art and animation. Figure out how to create your own concept art for your projects, gain valuable tips and tricks from the field of animation, and learn to block out scenes with animated assets. Web Development Become a full-stack web developer with tutorials on back-end and front-end technologies. Learn to incorporate principles of accessible web design in all of your projects, or, if you’re just starting out, learn the essential ins and outs of HTML. Download LinkedIn Learning for Library today for iOS or Android.
Read more about "Stories Five New Skills You Can Learn with Lynda"When Mike& Gord Downie heard the story of Chanie Wenjack, it was like an arrow shot through their heart. They vowed to find a way to tell it to the world. Mike will explore this...
Read more about "National Indigenous History Month: The Secret Path with Mike Downie"