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
If you were unwell and unable to speak for yourself, do the people close to you know your wishes for health care and personal decisions? Join us to learn more about Advance Care...
Read more about "Healthy Living: Planning for the Future – Health Decisions Matter"Forest Lawn Library was added to the Calgary Public Library system in 1962, when the village of Forest Lawn was annexed by the City of Calgary. Originally the Forest Lawn Association Library, it was started by a group of engaged citizens and first located in the Bow River School. At the time of annexation, the location had collected more than 152,000 volumes, had 45,000 dedicated borrowers, and an annual circulation of over 867,000!
Read more about "History of Forest Lawn Library"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"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"The more reading a student does (whether it’s over the summer or during the school year), the more opportunity they have to build and strengthen their comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking skills, background knowledge and efficiency. Research has shown that children without summer reading and learning support may lose one to three months of the reading skills they built in the previous school year. This, in addition to a disrupted and stressful school year, might leave families wondering, how can we keep reading and learning this summer, while still having fun?Join the Ultimate Summer ChallengeBlast off to free summer fun with the Ultimate Summer Challenge at Calgary Public Library. Kids ages 0 – 12 can reach reading milestones, complete activities, and attend free interactive online programs. Those ages 13 – 17 can join the Teen Takeover. Registration automatically enters you to win prizes that are out of this world! Tracking your progress online helps you earn badges and qualify for weekly prizes.Sign up for Ultimate Summer ChallengeRead aloudA great way to expose kids to books that are slightly outside their range is by reading more difficult books aloud. Generally, it is good for kids to read things at their independent level and be read to at a higher level because it helps to build vocabulary and helps makes the listener a better reader.Do something unexpectedRead in unexpected places and ways, like a tent or around the campfire. Switch roles and have kids read to you at their bedtime!ListenListening to audiobooks counts as reading too! Listening to books can be a great way to immerse yourself in a series and can make a long car trip fly by. Download kids audiobooks for free with your Library card in our Digital Library.Browse audiobooksRead before you watchRead the book before you watch the movie. Why not start a family book club this summer and invite grandparents who live far away to read the book too? Check out great online videos of Canadian author readings and illustrator demos from the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.Go to Canadian Children’s Book CentreShare through a book swapKids love to read recommendations from friends. This summer ask a group of friends to bring three to five titles over for a book swap. Kids will ask each other about the books and you'll naturally get the same kind of conversations that go on in the classroom.Get recommendations from the LibraryNeed new ideas? The Library is always a good place to start looking for children’s books. Check out our recommended reads for summer.See the listThis blog post is published as part of The Kitchen Table Classroom: A Series to Support Learning from Home, a partnership with Edmonton Public Library. Visit our website for information on the next live, online workshop in the series and for more tips and tools to support learning from home.
Read more about "Stories Top Tips for Reading and Learning All Summer Long The Kitchen Table Classroom: Slide into Summer"Major multinational publishers are placing restrictions on digital titles, and public libraries face excessively high prices and restrictive purchasing models for both digital audiobooks and eBooks. Libraries lend digital copies just like physical books — on a one-to-one basis — but the cost for digital copies is exponentially higher. This means you may find yourself waiting a very long time to borrow digital titles.
Read more about "eContent for Libraries"2020s 2020: For the first time in history, all Calgary Public Library locations are closed to visitors to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Innovative contactless and virtual services are implemented to ensure continued public access to essential Library resources. Closures took place from March to June 2020, December 2020 to March 2021, and April to June 2021. 2021: Sarah Meilleur is appointed the new CEO, becoming Calgary Public Library's very first female CEO.
Read more about "2020s"By day, Sean Brown is a software developer specializing in video game development. By night, he lends his expertise to the Calgary Public Library, volunteering for coding programs for kids and teens.It all started three years ago, when Sean graduated from university with a degree in Computer Science. He was looking to volunteer and knew the Library offered free coding programs. “It seemed like a really good fit,” he says.Sean, who had no previous volunteer experience, quickly settled into the new role. He’s now contributed more than 250 volunteer hours through different Library tech programs at Judith Umbach, Crowfoot, and Central.“I just like coming in and helping out,” Sean says. “It feels really good to go home from the end of a shift and think about all the people you helped.” Another benefit is meeting fellow volunteers, Sean says. “I’ve met a lot of really great friends from the programs.”At Central, Sean has helped two new tech programs get off to a strong start. He volunteered during the pilot for the VR Explorers program, where kids join an immersive journey with Google Expeditions using virtual reality headsets.He also volunteers every week as a Teen Tech Lab Guide for the new Open Lab program, where teens drop in and explore their interests through a range of technologies, from robots to sewing machines.Sean helps teens learn how to code using robots that can be programmed to complete actions — like somersaults and headstands — and respond to interactions. He also enjoys mentoring more experienced teen coders and sharing what it’s like to work in the tech industry.Maja Milavic, a volunteer coordinator at the Library, says Sean has excelled at each of the programs he’s volunteered with. He’s a reliable volunteer who is softspoken, kind, and easy to get along with.“He’s there for the fun, the camaraderie, for helping teens, and for supporting the Library,” she says.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: Sean Brown Sean found volunteering to be a good fit with his interests and expertise"Find full-text literary source materials to help your with your latest essay.
Read more about "LitFinder"A special literary presentation moderated by the creator of Kim’s Convenience, Ins Choi. Join authors Teresa Wong, Katrina Kwan, Terry Fong, and others for an engaging...
Read more about "FascinAsian Film Festival 2024: Discovering Asian Stories"What will you do? Help students in Grades 5 to 9 with their math homework and foster good study habits to inspire lifelong learning. Volunteers meet weekly with students in the Library to provide academic support. This is an adult and a youth volunteer opportunity. Program Length: One hour, ongoing throughout the academic year What’s in it for you? Meet new people and explore new opportunities Help individuals to develop their academic skills Have fun and contribute to your community Develop leadership, problem-solving, communication, and time management skills
Read more about "What will you do? What’s in it for you?"Open office hours with the Elders Elders are available for drop-in discussions at the Children's Lodge 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. Elder Adrian Wednesday, August 7: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 14: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 21: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 28: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Elder Clarence Thursday, August 8: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Thursday, August 29: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Read more about "Open office hours with the Elders"Interested in creating writing, but not sure where to start? Join us with a virtual community of other aspiring writers. Build a writing habit through activities and creative...
Read more about "Virtual Writers' Circle"It's important for all Canadians to learn the true history of Indigenous peoples. Libraries have a big role to play in helping our communities heal by providing resources about Truth and Reconciliation.June is National Indigenous History Month. It's a great time to start your learning journey. Learn with us this month, and all year long — and don't forget to join us in-person to celebrate the cultures and traditions of the Indigenous peoples of Treaty 7.
Read more about "Celebrating and honouring our shared history."