The Library entrance leads to the Shaikh Family Welcome Gallery, featuring a wall mural by Indigenous artists Roland Rollinmud, Keegan Starlight, and Kalum Teke Dan. Head into the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, or visit Library Express.
Read more about "Level 1"Discover the Teen Centre, filled with cool activities just for teens, along with the CNOOC Digital Commons, where you can find computers and Chromebooks to use for free. The Idea Lab, services for new Canadians, and the Job Desk, are also on this level.
Read more about "Level 3"Our Strategic Plan for 2023 – 2026 is now available.
Read more about "Everyone Belongs at the Library"Calgary Expo Reading Challenge The Library and Calgary Expo are hosting a four-month reading contest together. From October 4 to December 10, kids and adults can complete reading and activity challenges, earn badges, explore fandoms, and be entered to win one of five prizes.EligibilityThe CALGARY EXPO Reading Challenge, henceforth referred to as the ‘Contest’, is open to all residents of Alberta who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence at the time of entry and have a valid email address (for underage participants, they must have a legal guardian meet these requirements). Employees and representatives of the Administrators, as well as their advertising and promotional agencies, affiliated corporations and other persons, firms or corporations involved in the development or execution of this Contest, are not eligible to win a prize in this Contest. This contest runs from October 4, 2021 to December 10, 2021 and is created in partnership between the CALGARY EXPO and the Calgary Public Library, henceforth referred to as the ‘Administrators’ of the Contest.Winner Selection ProcedurePotential winners will be selected by random draw starting on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 11 AM MST and notified via email no later than Monday, December 20, 2021.The potential winners will be notified via email. The winners’ name(s) and likeness may be used in future marketing and promotional materials (with written and/or verbal consent from the winner).If the prizes are not claimed ONE (1) week after a potential winner has been notified, a new potential winner MAY be drawn at random (based on the Administrators discretion). ODDS: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entrants during the Entry Period, as well as the number of valid entries submitted by each entrant. The PrizesPRIZES: Seven (7) prize packages (1 prize package per winner):One (1) Gold Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and four Weekend Passes to CALGARY EXPO '22.One (1) Silver Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and two Weekend Passes to CALGARY EXPO '22.One (1) Bronze Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and one Weekend Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Two (2) General Prize Packs including a $50 Indigo Gift Card and Friday Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Two (2) General Prize Packs including a $50 Indigo Gift Card and Sunday Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Additional prizes may be provided at the discretion of the Administrators.Entry ConditionsEntries must be the intellectual property of the entrant. Entrants who attempt to, or are suspected of, tampering with the rules and regulations of The Contest and will be disqualified from The Contest. By entering this Contest, each participant agrees to abide and be bound by these contest rules. All decisions of the Administrators shall be final and binding upon the participant. The prize shall be accepted as is and may not be exchanged or refunded for an amount of money, sold or transferred. No substitutions will be allowed. Any unused portion of a prize will be forfeited. If the prize cannot be awarded as described in these rules, the Administrators reserves the right to substitute a prize or prize component with another of comparable value, as determined in its sole discretion. Refusal to accept the prize releases the Contest Parties from any obligation toward the winner. By participating in the contest, the winner agrees to the possibility of their name, voice, or likeness being used in promotional material relating to this contest without additional financial or other compensation. All entrants agree to release the Administrators, their respective directors, officers and employees, from all liability for any damage or loss arising from participation in this Contest or from the awarding, acceptance or use of the prize. The Administrators reserve the right, exercisable in their discretion, to disqualify and ban any participant from this Contest if the participant is found or is believed to have been tampering with the entry process, or the operation of the Contest. The Administrators reserve the right to cancel, suspend, withdraw or amend this Contest in any way, without prior notice or obligation, in the event of an error, technical problem, computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Administrators that interferes with the proper conduct of this Contest as contemplated by these Contest Rules. By entering this Contest, each participant agrees that the Administrators will not be liable for any injury or damage from whatever cause associated with or in connection with this Contest. This Contest is subject to Canadian law and void where prohibited or restricted.PrivacyAny personal information gathered from contest entrants in connection with this Contest will be kept in a secure and confidential database and will not be rented or sold. Personal information of the contest entrants will be used for the administration of this Contest for the purposes of this contest only.
Read more about "Stories"Calgary Expo Reading Challenge The Library and Calgary Expo are hosting a four-month reading contest together. From October 4 to December 10, kids and adults can complete reading and activity challenges, earn badges, explore fandoms, and be entered to win one of five prizes.EligibilityThe CALGARY EXPO Reading Challenge, henceforth referred to as the ‘Contest’, is open to all residents of Alberta who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence at the time of entry and have a valid email address (for underage participants, they must have a legal guardian meet these requirements). Employees and representatives of the Administrators, as well as their advertising and promotional agencies, affiliated corporations and other persons, firms or corporations involved in the development or execution of this Contest, are not eligible to win a prize in this Contest. This contest runs from October 4, 2021 to December 10, 2021 and is created in partnership between the CALGARY EXPO and the Calgary Public Library, henceforth referred to as the ‘Administrators’ of the Contest.Winner Selection ProcedurePotential winners will be selected by random draw starting on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 11 AM MST and notified via email no later than Monday, December 20, 2021.The potential winners will be notified via email. The winners’ name(s) and likeness may be used in future marketing and promotional materials (with written and/or verbal consent from the winner).If the prizes are not claimed ONE (1) week after a potential winner has been notified, a new potential winner MAY be drawn at random (based on the Administrators discretion). ODDS: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entrants during the Entry Period, as well as the number of valid entries submitted by each entrant. The PrizesPRIZES: Seven (7) prize packages (1 prize package per winner):One (1) Gold Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and four Weekend Passes to CALGARY EXPO '22.One (1) Silver Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and two Weekend Passes to CALGARY EXPO '22.One (1) Bronze Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and one Weekend Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Two (2) General Prize Packs including a $50 Indigo Gift Card and Friday Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Two (2) General Prize Packs including a $50 Indigo Gift Card and Sunday Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Additional prizes may be provided at the discretion of the Administrators.Entry ConditionsEntries must be the intellectual property of the entrant. Entrants who attempt to, or are suspected of, tampering with the rules and regulations of The Contest and will be disqualified from The Contest. By entering this Contest, each participant agrees to abide and be bound by these contest rules. All decisions of the Administrators shall be final and binding upon the participant. The prize shall be accepted as is and may not be exchanged or refunded for an amount of money, sold or transferred. No substitutions will be allowed. Any unused portion of a prize will be forfeited. If the prize cannot be awarded as described in these rules, the Administrators reserves the right to substitute a prize or prize component with another of comparable value, as determined in its sole discretion. Refusal to accept the prize releases the Contest Parties from any obligation toward the winner. By participating in the contest, the winner agrees to the possibility of their name, voice, or likeness being used in promotional material relating to this contest without additional financial or other compensation. All entrants agree to release the Administrators, their respective directors, officers and employees, from all liability for any damage or loss arising from participation in this Contest or from the awarding, acceptance or use of the prize. The Administrators reserve the right, exercisable in their discretion, to disqualify and ban any participant from this Contest if the participant is found or is believed to have been tampering with the entry process, or the operation of the Contest. The Administrators reserve the right to cancel, suspend, withdraw or amend this Contest in any way, without prior notice or obligation, in the event of an error, technical problem, computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Administrators that interferes with the proper conduct of this Contest as contemplated by these Contest Rules. By entering this Contest, each participant agrees that the Administrators will not be liable for any injury or damage from whatever cause associated with or in connection with this Contest. This Contest is subject to Canadian law and void where prohibited or restricted.PrivacyAny personal information gathered from contest entrants in connection with this Contest will be kept in a secure and confidential database and will not be rented or sold. Personal information of the contest entrants will be used for the administration of this Contest for the purposes of this contest only.
Read more about "Stories"When Susan Calder’s husband was transferred to Calgary for work in 1996, she was happy to make the move with her young family. But, unfamiliar with her new city, she struggled to find reasons to get out of the house.“I wasn’t working when we first moved here — I was just writing, and spending time with the kids. So I really needed something to keep me active, keep me social,” she says.Her solution came during a trip to Fish Creek Library, when she picked up a copy of the Library’s program guide and noticed a listing for a book club. “I’d never been in a book club before, but I’d always been interested in the concept. It seemed the logical thing to do as a book lover,” she says.Susan fell in love with the club immediately. Not only did it give her a way to make new friends in Calgary, but she discovered that the group was full of people who shared her interest in and love of stories. They offered her a different way of looking at the written word, which helped her to improve her craft as an aspiring author.“It’s been incredibly useful to me as a writer,” she says, “because it’s a look at writing from the reader’s perspective. I can see how almost no book is loved by everybody — no matter how well written. You start to understand that it's really all a matter of taste, and you feel a lot better when people don’t like your work.”At 23 years, Susan is one of the longest-attending members of the book club. While her book club has since become too popular to accept new members, the Library offers other book discussion groups. “What’s really nice about the group is that we often disagree heartily, but there’s never any ill-will about it,” she says of her tight-knit reading community. “We respect each other, and the divergence of opinions is quite lovely. People come away with a bit more of an appreciation for the book, and each other's point of view. You feel like you’ve stretched a bit, and grown, for having read outside of your comfort zone."A New Book Club MemberLittle did Susan realize that her passion for the club wasn’t going unnoticed. Although her husband was an avid reader, she never would have imagined him wanting to join a book club. It came as a total shock when, shortly after he retired in 2007, he asked her if he could tag along to a meeting. “I’d go out on book club day, come home and tell him about some of the discussions — the people, what they had to say. I didn’t really realize that all these years I had basically been selling the book club to him.” Unsure if her husband, who mostly read murder-mystery novels, would be on the same page as her literary-loving friends, Susan was hesitant to allow him to join her, but eventually, she gave in. Luckily for both Susan and her husband, her fears never materialized. Her husband has been a member of the club for over a decade now, even volunteering to lead discussions on the occasion that the group pursues a murder-mystery.“We don’t often talk about the books before the club meets, because we don’t want to influence each other’s opinions,” she says, “We’re able to approach it as individuals. But we do sometimes like to talk about them after, and it’s a social event as well, so it gives us something extra in common that we can do together.”More PossibilitiesThe Library is about much more than books for Susan and her family. “When we moved to Calgary, the opportunities just opened up. There were more possibilities for me to engage with the Library. There was more offered to me,” she says.Aside from attending her monthly book club, she also sharpens her writing skills with workshops and writing programs, attending several each month. She and her husband frequently borrow DVDs and CDs to watch movies and listen to music, and once attended Tech Mentors for three weeks in a row to get help fixing their computer.“Right now, we’re planning a trip to Italy,” she says, “so I’ve just taken out a series of audiobooks and things to try to learn a few essential words of Italian before we go.”Susan also likes to give back to the Library, and frequently shares her talents through panel discussions and readings of her work. Now an accomplished local author, Susan discussed her latest book, To Catch a Fox, in May at the Writing as Medicine program, and will discuss her contributions to the literary art exhibit Print(ed) Word: The Salon Series, which is displayed in the Central Library's TD Great Reading Room, in August.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 Opportunities Just Opened Up' A book club at the Library was the beginning of Susan Calder's Library Story"It’s a story that couldn’t have been scripted any better, according to the Library’s CEO Bill Ptacek.A search for a business to operate the café in Central Library led to two Calgary entrepreneurs seeking to do something iconic in their hometown. Gareth Lukes and Eric Hendry are partnering on LUKES, a 2,000-square-foot café opening in November 2018 that promises to be welcoming, collaborative, and responsive.Gareth Lukes is the third-generation owner of the popular Lukes Drug Mart. Eric Hendry, a former Model Milk chef who has worked around the globe, is back in Calgary at award-winning restaurant Bar Von Der Fels.Lukes and Hendry first partnered to bring soft-serve ice cream back to Lukes Drug Mart last summer. Their new collaboration is poised to be just as delicious.Operating within one of the city’s most important cultural gathering spaces is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Lukes, speaking at the Jan. 16 announcement for the new café.“Like the Library itself, which is inclusive and accessible, we believe food can serve to bring families and people together to fuel discussion and stimulate learning,” he said. At LUKES, visitors can expect an approachable and interesting menu with affordable prices, plus an emphasis on local, healthy, and sustainable choices, Hendry said. Councillor Druh Farrell, a member of the Calgary Public Library Board, described Lukes and Hendry as people who embody Calgary’s entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit. “It’s their commitment to Calgary that makes their partnership so special for the new Library,” Farrell said at the Jan. 16 announcement. “Together, their vision, experience, and local know-how will elevate the visitor experience at the Library.”Three Questions for Gareth Lukes and Eric HendryIf you could cook for any author, who would it be?Eric Hendry: Ernest Hemingway.What’s your favourite book?Eric Hendry: Probably 1984 by George Orwell. I think it has some relevance in this day and age, which I like about it now.Gareth Lukes: I’d say Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. I just like the bizarreness of that book.What role has Calgary Public Library played in your life?Gareth Lukes: I remember always going as a kid and checking out books. The Library is a great resource, and it’s just a great place.Eric Hendry: Fish Creek Library was iconic when I was growing up in the south. I love to read. For sure, the Library plays a role in community, and that’s what we want to do as well.
Read more about "Stories Meet the Duo Behind Central Library’s Café"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"When it comes to learning the alphabet, preschoolers benefit from repeated exposure and varied practice with letters. If you’re looking for fun ways to incorporate the alphabet into your child’s day, these simple indoor games are easy to replicate at home and provide a variety of ways to engage with the alphabet.You’ll find both calm, quiet activities to keep them occupied, and more active games that will help them burn off energy. Ready? Let’s have fun with letters!Alphabet Connect-the-DotsThis simple activity promotes letter recognition and gets little bodies moving.What you’ll need: A long roll of art or butcher paper, or sheets of paper taped together, and crayons or markersWhat to do:To start, choose five or six letters to focus on (aim for a mix of letters they know well and letters that are more of a challenge). Using a long roll of paper and some crayons or markers, write the first letter you’ve chosen in random spots on the paper. Then move on to the next letter and do the same thing, until all the letters are written. Each letter should repeat about eight to ten times on the paper. Hand your preschooler a crayon and ask them to draw a line connecting the letters which are the same. For example, they may choose to start with the letter “G” and connect all of the “Gs” they see with their crayon. Source: Hands On As We Grow website Secret LettersWho doesn’t love receiving a secret message? This exciting activity combines the delight of revealing a hidden message with letter recognition practice. What you’ll need: White paper, white crayon, watercolour paint (or homemade paints made of jello powder or fruit juice), and a paintbrush What to do:Use a white crayon to write hidden letters or words on the paper. Hand the note to your child to paint over with watercolours. As they paint, the white wax of the crayon is revealed. See if they can read your message or tell you what letters they see appearing. Note: the message can be adapted to your child’s age and reading level. For toddlers, pictures and squiggles are fun to discover, while older children may be ready for words, phrases, or sentences.Source: Busy Toddler website At-Home Alphabet HuntLetters are everywhere: the cover of a book, a bottle of dish soap, the side of a box. This simple activity reminds little learners that there are letters all around them and promotes everyday reading. What you’ll need:Marker, pad of paper, pencil What to do: On a pad of paper, write out the entire alphabet with a marker in the style of a grocery list, with one letter on each line. Pass your little one the pad and pencil and go on a hunt around your house (or even your neighbourhood) together and have them check off the letters they find on their search. Can they find them all?Source: No Time for Flashcards website Fishing for LettersThis engaging activity fosters the imagination and helps preschoolers learn to recognize letters outside of their alphabetized order. What you’ll need: alphabet fridge magnets, extra magnet, string or yarn, cloth or fabric to act as “water," popsicle stick or wooden spoon, baking sheet (optional)What to do: Create a pretend fishing rod by tying an extra magnet to a piece of yarn at the end of a popsicle stick or wooden spoon, so that the magnet dangles like the hook on a fishing rod. Spread alphabet magnets over some cloth (using blue fabric is a fun touch to represent water) and go fishing for magnets! Tell your child to “stay on the shore” and pick up magnets without walking on the cloth. Each time they “catch” a letter, say the letter out loud together and put it on the fridge or a baking sheet. Once all the letters are caught, see if they can arrange them in order. Writing TrayWriting trays are a wonderful way to help children learn to write letters and practice fine motor skills.What you’ll need:Cookie sheet or a large, shallow container, flour or sprinkles, writing tool such as a spoon or cotton swab (optional)What to do:Spread a layer of flour or sprinkles over the tray and have your child write letters in the tray using either their fingers or a writing tool. Gently shake the tray to erase the letters and start again. This activity also works well for drawing shapes and numbers — or simply let them be creative and draw all kinds of pictures! Musical LettersThis activity is perfect for burning off energy while promoting gross motor co-ordination and quick letter recognition. Plus, who doesn’t love dancing to great music?What you’ll need:Painter’s tape, paper or card stock, marker, music your kids will dance toWhat to do:Using your painter’s tape, create letters on the floor in a random pattern. You don’t need to include every letter but can pick and choose which ones to focus on. Next write out the same letters individually on pieces of paper or card stock. To start, play the music (choose a song that will get your child dancing). As the music plays, let them move around the room and dance like crazy! Stop the music and hold up a letter. They must run to find the letter on the floor that matches the letter you’re holding up. Play the music again and repeat. Source: No Time for Flashcards website Have fun with these wonderful alphabet-learning games! Want even more great early literacy activities you can do at home? Be sure to check out our Library at Home section for more resources like these.Not yet a member? Sign up online for your free Library card to get access to the Library's online activities and Digital Library immediately.
Read more about "Stories Six Fun Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers"Does your student like to know how things work? Let them explore the world of technology and engineering with this curated guide of digital resources for learning, building, and experimenting. Use your free Library membership to access these great apps and resources in our Digital Library. No Library card? No problem. Sign up for free online and start using it now. Gale Virtual Reference Library eBooks Online Find full-text eBooks for learners of all ages in the Gale Virtual Reference Library on subjects including coding, business, science, and travel. Help your kids learn the tech behind cyber scams to avoid phishing, smishing, identity theft, and other hacks with the eBook Coding for Digital Security by Patricia Harris. (Ages 10+) Data, logic, conditionals, and Raspberry Pi; learn coding and brush up on your computer skills with 36 always-available eBooks in the Coding for Youth section. (Ages 8 – 12) Kanopy Kanopy is a free video streaming app with more than just movies and TV – you'll find lots of courses and educational content for all ages as well. Bridges! Buildings! Cathedrals! Domes! Watch the 24-part series Understanding the World’s Greatest Structures to inspire your budding engineer or architect. (Ages 10 – 12) World Book Online for Kids World Book Online for Kids is an online learning platform developed for young users. Children can explore a variety of topics in easy-to-read articles, images, and videos. You can also solve puzzles while learning fun facts or try out experiments. Make your own aerofoil, vacuum, turbine, or find out how boats float with the science experiments in the Machinery category under Science Projects.
Read more about "Stories Technology/Engineering eResources for ages 8 – 12"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"Everyone deserves to feel the love on Valentine's Day, but what about every book? We were wondering which materials in our collection might be feeling a little left out on this special day. One particular read, Cousin Bette by Honoré de Balzac, hadn’t been taken off the shelf in a long while. We couldn’t let this phenomenal read continue to gather dust, so we did what any bibliophile would do. We signed it out for the day and took it on a Valentine’s Day adventure it would never forget!Here's what we got up to on our date with our loneliest Library book.We signed out this read from Alberta’s oldest Library, Memorial Park. Initially, we could see why someone might be hesitant to take this book out on a date. A tale of catastrophe, hatred, and revenge, Cousin Bette doesn’t come across as the most compassionate companion. Could we trust this book to not break our hearts? Well, you know what they say — nothing ventured, nothing gained. We’ve been scorned by many a cliffhanger and plot twist in the past, but we couldn’t let our hopes be dashed and give up on finding our one true book love.We spent some time getting to know each other in the Create Space, checking out all the community crafts and engaging games together. Then we played a couple of board games – Bette’s big vocabulary came in handy when we brought out the Scrabble board.It turns out this classic tale is a fan of classical music, so we signed out a few of the available instruments in the Library’s music practice room and serenaded them.As a token of our affection, we offered Cousin Bette a rose. They promised to treasure it always, even though a rose is not a bookmark.We ended our day with a tour of Central Library, sipping on hot chocolate from the café on the second floor. We could have read Bette for hours in the cozy reading nooks throughout the building.But like all good dates, this too had to come to an end. We walked Cousin Bette to the Central Library book return, knowing Library staff would make sure they got back home to Memorial Park Library safely. They gave us their ISBN number in case we ever wanted to hang out again. Speaking for ourselves, we’d be into a second borrow.Want to romance a book of your own this Valentine’s Day? Search for your perfect match among staff-curated lists on Library shelves, and on Libby.
Read more about "Stories The Loneliest Library Book"Library Named for Pioneering Calgarian Judith Umbach MEDIA RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 26, 2015Calgary, AB — Judith Umbach is an unassuming Calgarian who has done a truly extraordinary thing.By making a seven-figure gift in her will to the Calgary Public Library Foundation, Umbach is paving the way for other Calgarians to give to the Library in a meaningful way.“It’s difficult for many of us who may not have cash on hand to say, ‘I’m giving something right now,’” said Umbach. “For many people this makes it possible to leave a legacy now.”“We call Judith a best friend of the Library,” said Paul McIntyre Royston, President & CEO, Calgary Public Library Foundation. “Calgary and the Library are part of her DNA – she grew up in Calgary, spending her free time at the Library. As an adult, Judith has taken up the Foundation’s bold, audacious vision to transform Calgary Public Library into the best library in the world for Calgarians.”Umbach chaired the Calgary Public Library Board for 8 years of her 12-year tenure and now sits on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Library Foundation and chairs its Council of Champions. She was honoured today with the Library’s announcement of the renaming of the Thorn-Hill Library to the Judith Umbach Library.The naming announcement was part of a grand re-opening celebration. Patrons from throughout the community, along with Mayor Naheed Nenshi, were on hand to witness the official ribbon cutting and tour the completely renovated library.Highlights of the renovation include: a lighter, more open interior; a colourful and inviting children's area, as well as a themed collection and display; shelving complete with dedicated lighting and new easier-to-navigate end panels; and, a new laptop loan program that will, at first augment and then replace, the fixed work stations – allowing patrons to be truly connected and comfortable during their visit.As patrons enter the Judith Umbach Library, they are welcomed by a distinctive wall that honours Judith, her gift, her Calgary-focused photography, and, of course, her favourite book, Jane Eyre.The 7,697-square-foot Judith Umbach Library is located in a multi-service building along a major transportation route and serves the 80,000+ Calgarians living in the communities of Beddington, Huntington Hills, and Thornhill.Judith Umbach is a Founding Partner for Add In, the Campaign for Calgary’s Library, a bold, audacious vision to take a great library system and transform it into the best in the world for Calgarians. The city-wide campaign will build capacity for each and every community library and will include projects with a strong impact for Library customers. For more information, visit www.addin.ca.The Calgary Public Library Foundation was created in 1999 to provide an opportunity for all Calgarians to participate in building a library system for today and future generations. Its vision is to enable the citizens of Calgary to have the best public library in the world.-30-
Read more about "Stories"Library Named for Pioneering Calgarian Judith Umbach MEDIA RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 26, 2015Calgary, AB — Judith Umbach is an unassuming Calgarian who has done a truly extraordinary thing.By making a seven-figure gift in her will to the Calgary Public Library Foundation, Umbach is paving the way for other Calgarians to give to the Library in a meaningful way.“It’s difficult for many of us who may not have cash on hand to say, ‘I’m giving something right now,’” said Umbach. “For many people this makes it possible to leave a legacy now.”“We call Judith a best friend of the Library,” said Paul McIntyre Royston, President & CEO, Calgary Public Library Foundation. “Calgary and the Library are part of her DNA – she grew up in Calgary, spending her free time at the Library. As an adult, Judith has taken up the Foundation’s bold, audacious vision to transform Calgary Public Library into the best library in the world for Calgarians.”Umbach chaired the Calgary Public Library Board for 8 years of her 12-year tenure and now sits on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Library Foundation and chairs its Council of Champions. She was honoured today with the Library’s announcement of the renaming of the Thorn-Hill Library to the Judith Umbach Library.The naming announcement was part of a grand re-opening celebration. Patrons from throughout the community, along with Mayor Naheed Nenshi, were on hand to witness the official ribbon cutting and tour the completely renovated library.Highlights of the renovation include: a lighter, more open interior; a colourful and inviting children's area, as well as a themed collection and display; shelving complete with dedicated lighting and new easier-to-navigate end panels; and, a new laptop loan program that will, at first augment and then replace, the fixed work stations – allowing patrons to be truly connected and comfortable during their visit.As patrons enter the Judith Umbach Library, they are welcomed by a distinctive wall that honours Judith, her gift, her Calgary-focused photography, and, of course, her favourite book, Jane Eyre.The 7,697-square-foot Judith Umbach Library is located in a multi-service building along a major transportation route and serves the 80,000+ Calgarians living in the communities of Beddington, Huntington Hills, and Thornhill.Judith Umbach is a Founding Partner for Add In, the Campaign for Calgary’s Library, a bold, audacious vision to take a great library system and transform it into the best in the world for Calgarians. The city-wide campaign will build capacity for each and every community library and will include projects with a strong impact for Library customers. For more information, visit www.addin.ca.The Calgary Public Library Foundation was created in 1999 to provide an opportunity for all Calgarians to participate in building a library system for today and future generations. Its vision is to enable the citizens of Calgary to have the best public library in the world.-30-
Read more about "Stories"Calgary Expo Reading Challenge The Library and Calgary Expo are hosting a four-month reading contest together. From October 4 to December 10, kids and adults can complete reading and activity challenges, earn badges, explore fandoms, and be entered to win one of five prizes.EligibilityThe CALGARY EXPO Reading Challenge, henceforth referred to as the ‘Contest’, is open to all residents of Alberta who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence at the time of entry and have a valid email address (for underage participants, they must have a legal guardian meet these requirements). Employees and representatives of the Administrators, as well as their advertising and promotional agencies, affiliated corporations and other persons, firms or corporations involved in the development or execution of this Contest, are not eligible to win a prize in this Contest. This contest runs from October 4, 2021 to December 10, 2021 and is created in partnership between the CALGARY EXPO and the Calgary Public Library, henceforth referred to as the ‘Administrators’ of the Contest.Winner Selection ProcedurePotential winners will be selected by random draw starting on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 11 AM MST and notified via email no later than Monday, December 20, 2021.The potential winners will be notified via email. The winners’ name(s) and likeness may be used in future marketing and promotional materials (with written and/or verbal consent from the winner).If the prizes are not claimed ONE (1) week after a potential winner has been notified, a new potential winner MAY be drawn at random (based on the Administrators discretion). ODDS: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entrants during the Entry Period, as well as the number of valid entries submitted by each entrant. The PrizesPRIZES: Seven (7) prize packages (1 prize package per winner):One (1) Gold Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and four Weekend Passes to CALGARY EXPO '22.One (1) Silver Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and two Weekend Passes to CALGARY EXPO '22.One (1) Bronze Prize Pack consisting of one $100 Indigo Gift Card and one Weekend Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Two (2) General Prize Packs including a $50 Indigo Gift Card and Friday Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Two (2) General Prize Packs including a $50 Indigo Gift Card and Sunday Pass to CALGARY EXPO '22.Additional prizes may be provided at the discretion of the Administrators.Entry ConditionsEntries must be the intellectual property of the entrant. Entrants who attempt to, or are suspected of, tampering with the rules and regulations of The Contest and will be disqualified from The Contest. By entering this Contest, each participant agrees to abide and be bound by these contest rules. All decisions of the Administrators shall be final and binding upon the participant. The prize shall be accepted as is and may not be exchanged or refunded for an amount of money, sold or transferred. No substitutions will be allowed. Any unused portion of a prize will be forfeited. If the prize cannot be awarded as described in these rules, the Administrators reserves the right to substitute a prize or prize component with another of comparable value, as determined in its sole discretion. Refusal to accept the prize releases the Contest Parties from any obligation toward the winner. By participating in the contest, the winner agrees to the possibility of their name, voice, or likeness being used in promotional material relating to this contest without additional financial or other compensation. All entrants agree to release the Administrators, their respective directors, officers and employees, from all liability for any damage or loss arising from participation in this Contest or from the awarding, acceptance or use of the prize. The Administrators reserve the right, exercisable in their discretion, to disqualify and ban any participant from this Contest if the participant is found or is believed to have been tampering with the entry process, or the operation of the Contest. The Administrators reserve the right to cancel, suspend, withdraw or amend this Contest in any way, without prior notice or obligation, in the event of an error, technical problem, computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Administrators that interferes with the proper conduct of this Contest as contemplated by these Contest Rules. By entering this Contest, each participant agrees that the Administrators will not be liable for any injury or damage from whatever cause associated with or in connection with this Contest. This Contest is subject to Canadian law and void where prohibited or restricted.PrivacyAny personal information gathered from contest entrants in connection with this Contest will be kept in a secure and confidential database and will not be rented or sold. Personal information of the contest entrants will be used for the administration of this Contest for the purposes of this contest only.
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