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
Heading down to Stampede Park? Enjoy special Indigenous Family Storytimes at Elbow River Camp. These storytimes are led by Library staff and local Treaty 7 authors, with oral stories, songs, and rhymes about Indigenous culture. Storytimes will be held at 11:00 am in the Otter Tipi on the following days:
Read more about "Visit us at Elbow River Camp"Requests may take four to six weeks to arrive. Please allow three weeks before checking the status of a request. For time-sensitive requests, consider using your TAL Card or ME card (available from your local library) for in-person access to post-secondary, public, and special libraries across the province.
Read more about "Requesting items"Lead one-hour tours of the Central Library. Tours occur weekday mornings and afternoons along with limited evening and weekend tours. Central Library Tours cover the stories, brief history, and services of the Central Library, as well as the architectural advances and features of the building.
Read more about "What will you do?"Every Saturday afternoon, Iris Ngo can be found at Judith Umbach Library, volunteering for Math Quest. The Library buzzes as kids complete numeracy challenges throughout the building, with assistance from family members, youth volunteers, and Team Leads like Iris.“I really like working with the younger children, and also getting to know young people in the community who volunteer,” says Iris, a University of Calgary student earning a master’s degree in biochemistry. “I meet new people every week through this program.”Iris started volunteering for Calgary Public Library eight years ago, when she was 15. “I was really shy, so it was difficult for me to converse with people, and I thought volunteering would be a good way for me to get to know other people,” Iris says.For three years, Iris volunteered with the Reading Buddies program, sharing books and literacy games with young students. Initially, she was a nervous new volunteer, but says she quickly felt comfortable and loved witnessing how much her “little buddies” learned over the program.When Iris was 18, she moved into an adult volunteer role. With Math Quest, she acts as Team Lead for the drop-in program’s youth volunteers and participants, a role she greatly enjoys.“Math was the first subject that got me really interested in a science and technology-based career. I like that Math Quest is trying to break down that stereotype that math is hard,” she says.Iris is known as a friendly and fantastic volunteer, always smiling and willing to help. She is skilled at finding ways to keep both students and other volunteers engaged.Iris credits volunteering with helping shape her into who she is today. The formerly shy teenager is hard to recognize now; she excitedly approaches kids and asks if they want to play a math game. “That would never have happened without volunteering,” she says.“You never know how big of an impact volunteering can have on your life, as well as the people around you.”If you’d like to join the Library’s team of youth or adult volunteers, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Iris Ngo Volunteering has impacted Iris' life in ways she didn't expect"Lynda.com, an eResource with thousands of professional learning videos at the click of your keyboard, just became better. LinkedIn retired Lynda.com and replaced it with LinkedIn Learning for Library. The site continues to provide great skill-building content, but now it is a more personalized learning experience. LinkedIn Learning combines Lynda.com’s courses with LinkedIn’s customization to recommend courses based on your interests, occupation, and skills.With your free Library card, you can access more than 16,000 self-paced courses in seven languages, hundreds of online resources to help reinforce new knowledge, and tutorials covering topics on business, technology, design, and more.LinkedIn Learning for Library is available through our Digital Library portal.What does this mean for Library members?Library members will continue to have free access to the same great courses from Lynda.com, but the upgraded experience is more user-friendly. All the existing Lynda.com content, features, and functionalities are still available in LinkedIn Learning for Library. Your course history from Lynda.com transferred to your new LinkedIn Learning for Library account under your existing Library card number.How can I access LinkedIn Learning for Library?It’s in our Digital Library. Members can sign in to LinkedIn Learning for Library using their Library card number and PIN. A LinkedIn profile is not required to access the site’s content through the Library. If you don’t have a Library membership, you can sign up for a free account online and start using your card immediately.What if I don’t remember my Library card number?If you’ve forgotten your Library card number or PIN, call the Library Hotline for further support. Please note that if you are issued a new Library card or account, you will no longer have access to your course history. More information on LinkedIn Learning for Library can be found here.
Read more about "Stories Lynda.com is now LinkedIn Learning for Library. Here’s what you need to know."Last week, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.This national tragedy must be acknowledged.As noted in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the City of Calgary’s White Goose Flying Report, Calgary Public Library has an obligation to share the truth about residential schools and the ongoing, intergenerational trauma they caused.June is National Indigenous History Month, and the Library has planned a range of programs and events. In advance of our opening ceremony on Friday, June 4, we will be sharing information and resources about residential schools on our social media and website. I encourage you to read these materials, ask questions, and learn.We will also be sharing mental wellness and community resources to support those who have been personally impacted by residential schools.Learning the truth is an important first step to healing our community and we hope to honour all residential school victims and their families through this work.Sarah MeilleurInterim CEOLinks and ResourcesHonouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of CanadaPublished in 2015, this summary report from the Federal Truth and Reconcilation Commission includes details on the history and legacy of residential schools as well as 94 Calls to Action. White Goose Flying: A Report to Calgary City Council on the Indian Residential School Truth and ReconciliationThe Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee reviewed the 94 Calls to Action from the Federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission to determine which are actionable by Calgary's municipal government. The results are Calls to Action identified in this White Goose Flying report and include local context and alignments.Indigenous Peoples Atlas of CanadaThis digital resource has Indigenous perspectives shared through maps, artwork, history, and culture. You can find more information about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It was created for Grades 5 and up. Library BooklistsTitles recommended in these lists help continue the conversation around truth and reconciliation.Residential Schools: Books for ChildrenResidential Schools: Books for TeensResidential Schools: Books for AdultsOrange Shirt Day 2020Orange Shirt DayIndigenous Canadian HistorySupport systems and resourcesIndian Residential Schools Crisis Line This phone line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. Call 1-866-925-4419.Elbow River Healing LodgeThe Elbow River Healing Lodge offers a full range of primary care services and visiting specialists to First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit people and their families.
Read more about "Stories Truth and Reconciliation Resources A response to the discovery at the grounds of a previous Kamloops Indian Residential School"You know by Patricia Johnson’s ready smile and friendly tilt of the head that she is the kind of volunteer to put everyone at ease, a handy skill when working with Library patrons as they practise their English language skills.“Being a Library volunteer suits me,” says Patricia who works at the University of Calgary library. “I have a great day job, but volunteering is often the highlight of my week. I work alongside other great volunteers, helping people develop a skill they will use for the rest of their lives. What could be better!”The ESL Conversation Club is offered at 15 community libraries, supports 1,900+ patrons each year, and puts volunteers together with participants looking to improve their one-on-one conversation and group speaking abilities. Patricia has volunteered at a number of community libraries, but considers Louise Riley her home base.The program makes use of modules, but Patricia says that she and the other volunteers like to shake things up by really personalizing the program for the participants.“We make use of word searches and crossword puzzles, but getting the group to talk about events or issues relevant to them engages everyone in more meaningful ways,” she shared. “Stampede and Canada Day are great conversation starters and, recently, with three of our participants expecting, childrearing came up quite often.”It’s that personal approach and dedication that has Library staff describe Patricia as rock solid, dedicated, fun loving,and as someone with enormous energy. She brings all of these qualities to bear on her volunteer efforts at the Library.But for Patricia, volunteering at the Library is very personal. “I love helping others, making new friends, and being part of something bigger than myself. Volunteering at the Library gives me all that and more.”If you’d like to join the Library’s team of volunteers, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Patricia Johnson Patricia puts learners at ease when practicing their English language skills"Everyone has a story to tell, and effective storytelling provides a building block for all communication that everyone can learn. Join our Storyteller in Residence, Mary Hays, as...
Read more about "2022 Storyteller in Residence – YOU are a Storyteller"Prior experience with a culture influences how engaged we are by its' stories. Learning about the storyteller and their culture often makes it easier for children to connect to the material.
Read more about "Learn in advance."Browse digitized photographs and postcards showing historic scenes of Calgary and Southern Alberta.View the digitized Calgary's Story Map Collection in Biblioboard.
Read more about "A Treasure Trove of Southern Alberta History"Haley lives in Calgary and is originally from Piikani First Nation. She enjoys bucket art because it allows her to tell different and unique stories. In the future, she wants to be in child and youth care or be an elementary school teacher.
Read more about "Haley Long"Muthayya is a comedy/drama set in Chennuru, & tells the story of 70-year-old, Muthayya, who has had a life long dream of acting in movies. He shares all his joys & sorrows with...
Read more about "THIRD ACTion Film Festival: Muthayya"Join former Mossad officer (Israeli Secret Intelligence Service) and 'Operation Eichmann’ expert, Avner Avraham, as he takes us through the real insider story of the historic 1960...
Read more about "Calgary Jewish Federation Presents - Holocaust Series: Operation Finale - The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann"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"Recommended reads from the Storyteller in Residence In this booklist, you'll discover stories that delve into haunting and dark themes. Marie is drawn to tales featuring witches, mysterious forests, and the exploration of unsettling places. These are the kinds of titles she finds incredibly engaging to immerse herself in and share with others. See the list
Read more about "Recommended reads from the Storyteller in Residence"