The 'Build a Book Bag' service is no longer available. You can find books and other Library materials by searching the catalogue. Ebooks and audiobooks are also available through the Libby app.
Celebrate National Library Month with these books by local authors and illustrators.
Read more about "Love Your Library"Check out books where the main character energy is just a bit....villainous.
Read more about "Welcome to our Villain Era"Visit the Welcome Kiosk to view Library events or book a meeting room. Drop your return items into the Bookscalator — a giant escalator just for books — and watch the conveyor belt travel up to the second floor. After hours, this space doubles as a space for community celebrations and special events.
Read more about "The donor-named Shaikh Family Welcome Gallery is both beautiful and versatile."Interested in fiction featuring LGBTQ+ characters and perspectives? Try these recommendations by selecting Fiction A to Z and then LGBTQIA Fiction.
Read more about "Novelist Plus"Travel through time with characters in these books to the past or to the future.
Read more about "Journey of time"100L, H, 4.6…OMG! Understanding Reading Levels Did you know that the children’s collection at Calgary Public Library includes thousands of books? With so many options, it can be intimidating to choose books for your growing reader.One way to choose reading material is based on a book’s reading level. Reading levels are common in a school setting but can be confusing for caregivers wondering how reading levels apply to their child’s learning-to-read journey.What are reading levels?Schools may use a variety of leveling systems to help guide the book choices children make when reading. “Leveled readers” allow students to be challenged enough by the book that they are growing as readers, but not so challenged that they have lost all meaning and enjoyment from it. Books organized by reading levels are a classroom tool, meant for schools and the school market. In some cases, leveled-readers series can only be purchased by schools and the rights are not available for public libraries.Using leveled readers is just one way for students to experience books and to support the learning-to-read journey. Reading levels do not always align with a child’s age or ensure that a reader at that level will be personally interested in the topic.“A level is a teacher’s tool, not a child’s label.” (Fountas and Pinnell) There are several reading level book series you may come across, including these common systems:Fountas and Pinnell is one of the most widely used leveled reader series in the classroom. This publisher assesses the text of a book on criteria including word count, high frequency words, and sentence complexity. There are 27 Fountas and Pinnell reading levels.The Accelerated Reader (or AR) program was developed by Renaissance Learning, Inc. and uses quizzes to assess a reader’s skill. Their system of leveling books is called the ATOS® reading formula, which evaluates the text of a book based on average sentence length, average word length, vocabulary grade level, and number of words in the book. ATOS levels are numerical — the lower the ATOS® score, the easier the text should be.The Lexile Framework measures both an individual’s reading ability and a text’s readability. The Lexile levels are based on reading comprehension tests taken by students across the United States. The Lexile ranges change when new test scores are reported. Generally, the lower the number, the simpler the text. The letters before the Lexile numbers are “Lexile codes,” two-letter designations to give more information about the book. For example, AD stands for Adult-Directed, which is for books meant to be read to children by an adult.Publisher leveled readers are usually a series of books with their own system of leveling that vary from publisher to publisher. These books can be purchased at a bookstore or found at the Library and may also be used in a classroom. At Calgary Public Library, these books are called “X Books” or “Easy Readers.” For example, HarperCollins produces the popular “I Can Read!” series, which has six levels. The title Batman: Dino Dilemma is a level 2 reader, which the publisher says is geared towards kids who can read on their own but still need a little help.Should I use reading levels at home?While it may be helpful to understand what reading levels mean, recent best practice in education and public libraries is to focus on fostering a love for reading first. Children learn to love reading when they are allowed to read what they want and families read together often in English and/or in their home language. Public libraries have books published in a wide range of world languages.Reading above or below the level that corresponds with the student’s grade or age is fine and often encouraged. A reader may be drawn to a challenging or “stretch” book if it’s about a particular topic that they enjoy. This is a great workout for their reading brain and an opportunity to share a good book together. A reader may also find it enjoyable and relaxing to read a book that is easier and familiar. Building positive associations with reading can help a child become a reader for life.Tip to Try When Choosing A New Book:Have your child choose a book that they will enjoy. Invite them to read the second page. Together, hold up a finger for each word they are not sure of or do not know. If there are five or more words they did not know, consider an easier book. If your child needs support to help them become a stronger reader, consult an education professional.Where should I start?The Library’s children’s collection complements kids that are learning to read and aims to support them by encouraging a love of reading. While the X Book or “Easy Reader” collection is targeted for kids learning to read, there are other collections that children enjoy, such as Z picture books, audio books, and nonfiction. Choose books with high interest characters, great illustrations, and humour to help keep readers engaged. An interested reader who is having fun is more likely to keep reading.The most important thing to do is to encourage any reading. All reading is good reading, whether fiction, nonfiction, comic books, chapter books, audio books, or picture books. Library staff are happy to help recommend amazing stories that are a great fit for your growing reader, whether in print or digital format. See a list of staff recommendations of Easy Readers for every reader.Easy readers and other collections are also available in digital format through OverDrive and TumbleBook Library, with audio options and accessibility features. Exploring a variety of formats helps children experience the joy of reading in different ways.Additional Resources:Reading Rockets Scholastic Family Literacy Brochure from the Calgary Board of Education This 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 Programs page to register for the next live online workshop in the series, coming up in January.
Read more about "Stories"From artmaking techniques to teachings on the fabric of cultures and nations, these books have helped Claudia Chagoya develop throughout her artistic practice.
Read more about "Recommended reads from the Newcomer Artist in Residence"A selection of books for the Library's youngest members that celebrate Indigenous peoples, culture, and language.
Read more about "Acknowledging the Land"November hosts Financial Literacy Month. Pick up one of these books to explore and gain a better understanding of financial concepts.
Read more about "Financial Literacy Grades 7-12"Recorded program. Dr. Lia Daniels discusses reading motivation, tips, and book recommendations.
Read more about "Motivating Your Infrequent Reader"Read and listen to picture books in 65+ languages, including English, French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Punjabi, Tagalog, Arabic, German, and Russian.
Read more about "LOTE4Kids"Spring is a great time get outside and enjoy the joys of nature. Here are some great books to help you explore!
Read more about "All Things Spring!"Whether you’re looking to help develop your student’s literacy skills or simply foster a lifelong love of books, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our list of free eResources to help your child discover the magic of reading and writing as they learn new things, read about their interests, and follow the adventures of their favourite characters. Use your free Library membership to access these great apps and resources in the Digital Library. No Library card? No problem. Sign up for free online and start using it now. Beanstack Need some help finding great reading material? Beanstack has you covered. Get personalized reading recommendations for every member of the family, sent weekly to your inbox. eReading Room for Kids Visit the eReading Room for Kids to borrow children’s eBooks for free with your Library card. Read or listen to eBooks on your computer or take them with you on your mobile device with the free Libby app. Check out our One Week Loans for Beginning Readers. There’s no wait time, and you can have two early readers checked out at once. When you're done, just return them and check out two more. Bookflix Cuddle up and read with Bookflix! Find your favourite picture book classics paired with related non-fiction books for early readers. Read aloud together or watch and listen to an animated version of the picture book. Enhance reading comprehension with quizzes and puzzles after the story. Does your early reader love big trucks? Check out the Imagination section, where you can read or listen along to the picture book I Stink (about a smelly garbage truck) paired with a Mighty Machines book (about real garbage trucks). (Ages 6 – 8) Canadian Encyclopedia Read and learn about Canadian history and culture in the Canadian Encyclopedia. Search for a specific topic or browse more than 30,000 multimedia items, including images, maps, games, audio, and video. For help with essays on important Canadians, try reading the special collection on women in Canadian history in the Canadian Encyclopedia. These short articles tell the stories of Canadian women — including 47 Indigenous women — who paved the way in music, art, politics, sports, suffrage, and leadership. (Ages 9 – 12) Learning Express Learning Express is a database offering practice tests and tutorials for students in Grades 4 and up, including reading comprehension and math. There are also helpful career exploration resources for high school students considering their next steps after graduation. Kanopy Kids Kanopy is a free movie and TV streaming app with a section just for kids. Your child can watch their favourite cartoon characters and educational shows from any device. Love a good story? Visit the kids’ section of Kanopy to watch animated versions of your child’s favourite books with beloved characters like Pigeon, Scaredy Squirrel, and Curious George. (Ages 5–10) TumbleBook Library Listen and read along with animated story books for young children, their parents, and teachers in TumbleBook Library. Read-alongs are a wonderful way to help improve your child’s reading skills as they hear the story read to them and follow the text at the same time. Check out their cute and colourful read-alongs that are perfect for beginner readers. (Ages 5 – 7) Older kids can enjoy read-alongs too! Browse a selection of chapter books that your older child will love, or check out their collection of read-along children’s classics like Anne of Green Gables.
Read more about "Stories Reading and Writing eResources for ages 5 – 12"Frank O’Keeffe has lived all over the world, but no matter where he travels one thing never changes — how close he stays to his local library.“I’ve always gone to the library wherever I’ve lived. They are invaluable places in our communities, and have always brought such joy to my family,” he says. “We went to live in Australia for a year when our daughter was two, we even had a library card there as well.”Frank signed up for his first Calgary Public Library card about 50 years ago. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Frank immigrated to Canada when he was 19 years old. Memorial Park Library provided him with a place to visit during the day on his way to and from work.When Frank began university, the library became a place to find free resources on the Canadian history he was studying. He eventually became a teacher, passing on the love of learning libraries instilled in him to students and his own family.“My daughter got her first Library card when she was just a little girl. She was always wanting us to take her to Memorial Park Library and read books — new books, more books,” he says. “And it was so convenient, because you could borrow as many books as you liked.”An Accomplished AuthorFrank is more than just a lover of libraries, though; he’s also an author with books on library shelves, including eight young adult novels. His ninth book is Woodbine, an adult historical fiction novel that follows a young girl and her father as they travel from Paris across Africa in the 1890s, eventually visiting Ireland as the First World War breaks out.Frank says this most recent novel, published in August 2018, could not have crossed the finish line without the help of staff at Shawnessy Library.“Three of the ladies at Shawnessy Library — Olga Tanailova, Kirsten Pedersen, and Nelli Boutchev — were instrumental in that last book being published. Those three read my last manuscript as I was writing it. They helped me research it. I even acknowledged them in the book. It couldn’t have happened without their help.”As a retired teacher and avid history buff, Frank says he enjoys the opportunity writing gives him to inject a bit of realistic humour into everyday life, “because the world can always use more of that.” His next book, The Grand Getaway, set to be published this spring, focuses heavily on that aspect.“It starts with an old folks’ home, and a homeless man. One of the patients at the home is living with dementia, and she wants to go see the Grand Canyon one last time, because she went there when she was young on the back of a motorcycle. And so, this homeless man is accidentally let into the home one day and ends up sort of hiding out there, and the two of them form a sort of unlikely friendship that leads to adventure.”‘Chitchat and Good Company’The characters explore themes that hit particularly close to home for Frank. His wife Patricia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 10 years ago. As the couple has grown older and their family’s needs have changed, how they use the Library has changed too.“I certainly used to read a lot, but I don’t have as much time for it now. I try to keep as active as I can, but my life involves a lot of worrying about my wife these days. Helping care for her is the most important thing,” Frank says.The Library has become a part of Patricia and Frank’s weekly routine. On Fridays, Frank takes Patricia out from the care facility where she lives and the pair go to the ESL Coffee and Conversation program at Shawnessy Library, for some “chitchat and good company.” Once a newcomer to Canada himself, Frank empathizes with the people who attend the program.“Many of the folks I meet at the Library are immigrants, just like me,” he says. “As an older patron, what I get out of the Library now is companionship. I’m still pretty active, and I don’t have any health problems, but it can be hard to meet new people. The Library is an important means of communication for me.”We want to know how the Library has made a difference in your life. Submit your own Library Story online.
Read more about "Stories ‘Invaluable Places in Our Communities’ Frank O'Keeffe has been writing his Library Story for over 50 years"Young revelers can join the celebration this Lunar New Year with these great books.
Read more about "Year of the Tiger"