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"Fast Facts The City of Calgary has been planning for a new Central Library since 2004, when it first devoted funds to study future library needs. Throughout 2012, more than 16,000 Calgarians participated in an extensive public engagement program to provide input into the function of Central Library and the role of the Library within the community. The building’s architects are Snøhetta, an international firm, and Calgary’s DIALOG, while CMLC leads the construction. The 240,000 square foot building has five levels that will contain about 600,000 items. Construction began in 2014 with a real feat of engineering: encapsulating the LRT. It was the first time in Calgary’s history an active LRT line was encapsulated and used as a foundation for a building above. The final steel beam of Central Library’s skeletal structure serves a dual-purpose; it’s a time capsule of steel. In March 2017, nearly 700 library lovers of all ages inscribed the massive beam with messages of congratulations and inspiration for future generations. Central Library is a fully-funded $245 million project, paid for by the City ($175 million) and CMLC ($70 million). The Calgary Public Library Foundation’s Add-In Campaign allowed donors to enhance collections, programs, and services across the entire Library system.
Read more about "Fast Facts"Flowers for My Ancestors: A Métis Story Sarah Houle Seton Library (2021) In this ceramic printing on glass, the artist honours the story of her great-grandparents. Floral motifs take the place of their features to represent the Métis as “the flower beadwork people.” A slideshow of digital art and photographs outlines their story with an accompanying soundtrack by Sarah's band, Cîpayak ᒌᐸᕀ. This artwork reflects on the journey of her ancestors and parallels Houle’s own story of setting down roots in Calgary, Mohkinstsis, with its existing rich Métis history. Louis Houle was a young man and about the best violin player in town. He played at all the dances. That is where I used to see him. I never really met him. He said to someone, ‘There's the girl I'm going to marry.’ Louis was a trapper and Emilie the mother of eight children.” — Excerpt from an article written by Emilie Houle, in the Athabasca newspaper About the Artist Sarah Houle is a multidisciplinary Métis artist based in Calgary, Mohkinstsis. She is from the Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement in Northern Alberta. Her work is autobiographical with an interest in technology, fantasy, and craft. Cultural identity in the age of digital technology is important in her work, as elements of physical and digital space come together to conjure nostalgic imagery. Modern-day fantastical legends express the artist’s social commentary on identity from the perspective of Métis culture and heritage. Centering on family, Houle’s work showcases the resiliency present in everyday Indigenous life.
Read more about "Flowers for My Ancestors: A Métis Story"Alice Kaquitts Alice Kaquitts’ Îethka Nakoda name is Yumotata Mani , which translates closely to Grizzly Walker in the English language. She resides on the Stoney Indian Reserve in Morley and is a member of the Goodstoney First Nation. She is a mother, grandmother, knowledge keeper, and interpreter/translator of the Îethka Nakoda language. She currently holds a Social Work Diploma from Mount Royal University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary. Alice has worked in a management capacity in her own community for decades, in addition to providing services to children in care. Alice was involved in the Indian Residential School hearings as an interpreter. She also serves as an elder advisory for the National Gathering of Elders. Over the years, she has been invited by numerous elder advisory groups and organizations to share her knowledge and expertise on the Iethka Nakoda perspective. Presently, her work consists of consulting, advising, course development, participating on panels, presenting on traditional parenting, history, culture, and the Nakoda language. She also co-hosts a radio talk show every week with Thomas Snow called Conversational Nakoda on CJWE FM 88.1. Alice is also in the process of developing an Îethka Nakoda dictionary with several community members.
Read more about "Alice Kaquitts"Access free Wi-Fi to finish assignments, or use free spaces to chill with friends.
Read more about "Teens"Join us at the TD Artist Pavilion where we'll be featuring live music performances throughout Chinook Blast, in partnership with Four Winds YYC and 10 at 10, in celebration of...
Read more about "Chinook Blast: TD Artist Pavilion - Music Performances"Kay Burns is a multidisciplinary artist and researcher who is exploring the Library’s map collection during her residency.
Read more about "Kay Burns"Get help planning lessons, or take your class on a trip to the Library.
Read more about "Educators"Students, teachers, and families can find everything they need to succeed this back to school season.
Read more about "Back to learning!"Description: Calgary's Best-selling author is back, and this time she is taking it on the road. Come talk to Lori Beattie about her book Calgary's Best Walks then do one of those...
Read more about "Calgary's Best Walks"Kay Burns is a multidisciplinary artist and researcher driven by perpetual curiosity.
Read more about "Meet Kay Burns"Get help with school projects and satisfy your curiosity. Use the search bar to find encyclopedia articles, maps, images, videos, and websites to learn about the topic you're researching. The Research & Resources tab has newspapers from around the world.
Read more about "World Book Online"Shelly McElroy is the curator of Pioneer Acres Museum in Irricana, Alberta.
Read more about "Shelly McElroy"Helping your child learn from home? Check out these free resources for help guiding their studies. These online options for young children and teens can all be easily accessed from the comfort of your home.BrainfuseThis online tutoring resource is aligned with the Alberta curriculum for students in Grade 2 to Grade 12. Get expert online help with your homework from 2 pm to 11 pm daily. Support for adult learners is also available.SolaroUse this online resource to access course lessons, reviews, and practice tests for students in Grade 3 to 12. Prepare for tests and final exams in Math, Science, Social Studies, and English, through study guides and practice questions aligned to the Alberta curriculum.Study BuddyStudy Buddy is perfect for kids ages six and up. It allows students to find eBooks and articles by searching multiple digital resources at once, including OverDrive for Kids, World Book Kids, National Geographic Kids, Flipster, and Gale Virtual Reference Library. Study Buddy also offers premade searches on popular topics, like Alberta history or nature.TumbleBookLibraryTumbleBooks offers unlimited access to a collection of eBooks for young children, their parents, and teachers, including more than 250 animated, talking picture books, Spanish and French books, read-along chapter books, non-fiction books, and games.Plus Much MoreAre you an adult who wants to learn from home? Check out our Digital Library for free access to learning resources like LinkedIn Learning for Library, Gale Courses, Rosetta Stone, and Pronunciator. Use your free Calgary Public Library card to access all these resources, plus more like eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers online for free.
Read more about "Stories 8 Resources to Help Students Learn from Home"Name Ceremony Takes Place at Crowfoot Library Following Consultation with Crowfoot Family On May 2, the Calgary Public Library hosted a private ceremony at Crowfoot Library to formally receive permission from the Crowfoot family for the use of the Crowfoot name. Elder Herman Yellow Old Woman led the ceremony, which was attended by Bert Crowfoot on behalf of the Crowfoot Family, Library staff, and Blackfoot Elders who work closely with the Library.“I would like to thank you for naming this lodge of knowledge in honour of our great-great-grandfather and Crowfoot ancestors,” said Bert Crowfoot, following the ceremony. “This morning we talked about how there are a lot of issues in the world right now due to ignorance, and places like this institution are going to help bridge that gap between different worlds and different societies.”Crowfoot Library is one of the Calgary Public Library’s busiest locations, receiving nearly 500,000 visits annually. As part of the Library’s ongoing work to become more culturally aware and to honour Truth and Reconciliation, the Library acknowledges that it failed to ask the permission of the Siksika Nation or the Crowfoot family for the use of the Crowfoot name when the Library opened in 2003.In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Calgary Public Library recognizes that traditional Blackfoot Protocol was not followed when the Crowfoot Library was named. Following consultation with the Crowfoot Family, the Library is honoured to have been given permission to use the name.“On behalf of the Calgary Public Library, I am very happy to be a part of this beautiful celebration that is long overdue,” said Bill Ptacek, CEO for Calgary Public Library. “As one of the busiest libraries in all of Canada, it is important for us to honour the history behind the Crowfoot name and I can assure you that going forward we will always think of Chief Crowfoot and his legacy when we visit this Library.”Learn more about Indigenous Programs and Services at the Calgary Public Library.
Read more about "Stories Crowfoot Library Hosts Name Ceremony"