The Indie Author Project helps your book reach a wider audience, by sharing it with Calgary Public Library members, and other participating libraries.
Read more about "Have you always wanted to write a book?"Walk into Central Library on a Wednesday morning and you’re likely to be greeted with a warm smile from Jackie Portelance. In her role with the Library’s Early Literacy Volunteer Corps (ELVC), Portelance’s responsibilities include shepherding youngsters to storytime with a firefighter at Engine 23 (the Library’s fire truck exhibit), encouraging safe play, and sharing early learning principles with families.“Volunteering is an uplifting part of my day,” Portelance says. “I think it’s very fulfilling, and I think it’s something everybody should experience.” Jackie started volunteering at the Library in October 2016, after retiring from her job as a chartered accountant. “I never had the time to volunteer when I was working, and I knew I wanted to give back to the community when I retired,” she says.Her lifelong love of reading led her to the Library, and she now volunteers with the ELVC, Computer Technology Coaching, and Special Events. ELVC members volunteer in the Library’s Early Learning Centres, designed to engage children ages five and under in play-based learning.At Central Library, Portelance loves the wide-eyed look from children when they first see Engine 23—or a firefighter—in the library. It’s exhilarating to be around youngsters’ enthusiasm and imagination, Portelance says. “No matter the day, something happens that makes me smile and laugh.”If you’d like to join the Library’s team of volunteers, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Jackie Portelance Jackie enjoys the enthusiasm and imagination kids bring to her volunteer work"Healthy development in early childhood sets the course for a child’s future, leads to kindergarten readiness, and prepares children for lifelong learning success.Find all the tools you need to support your child's learning journey at the Library. Enjoy Early Learning Centres at 12 locations, free early literacy programs, and our extensive collection of books, movies and resources for each stage of a child’s early development.
Read more about "Supporting families as they help their children learn and grow."When Marian Erb moved to Calgary from Ireland 36 years ago, one of the first things she did was track down her community library.“As a newcomer, everything—from the architecture to the awesome expanse of Alberta skies—was new and overwhelming. The Library became a sanctuary for me, a home away from home,” says Marian.She recalls the welcoming smiles she received from Library staff on that first visit and the support given as she learned about the many resources the Library had to offer.“Staff are the Library’s most important resource,” she says. “They are the first point of contact for newcomers and ensure they have access to computers so that connections with family and friends back home is maintained as they acclimatize to their new surroundings.”While Marian shares a common language with native Calgarians, she can relate to that “lost” feeling common to the newcomer experience, when an accent can mark you as “different.” So, when she considered becoming a Library volunteer, she was drawn to working with people for whom English was foreign.“Newcomers often feel anxious in their new, unfamiliar surroundings. I remember that feeling and love to help people build confidence as they work to improve their spoken English. Volunteering in the Library’s Conversation Club allows me to reach out with friendship and find common ground…and then the words and stories start to flow.”Volunteering can be a daunting concept, but when asked what attributes aspiring Library volunteers should possess, Marian states that it’s really very simple: they need to love meeting new people, have patience, and be genuinely interested in the program they’ve chosen and the people they’re working alongside.“Volunteering at the Library allows me to do what I love, surrounded by beautiful, wonderful books in the company of friendly, like-minded people helping newcomers begin to feel like they’ve come home.”If you’d like to join the Library’s team of volunteers, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Marian Erb Marian's work with the ESL Conversation Club helps find common ground"Attend online programs with Claudia Chagoya during her residency. Join her as she discusses her artistic practice, teaches beading techniques, and more.
Read more about "Online programs with the Newcomer Artist in Residence"Teens can get inspired to make changes in their world and themselves with lessons from…
Read more about "The Heroes Program"Kids and teens can learn about food sustainability and agriculture with our friends at Calgary…
Read more about "Journey 2050"Track your reading time and titles in Beanstack to receive recommended reads via personalized weekly emails.
Read more about "Beanstack"Inside Central Library, a Listening Assistance system is available to help you enjoy performances, lectures, and tours. This system uses technology to communicate with Bluetooth-linked hearing aids. This system also allows multiple languages to be streamed if translation is required.
Read more about "Listening Assistance systems"Find over 1,000 fiction and non-fiction titles in English and French, available to read on the Cantook Station Platform. The Prairie Indigenous ebook Collection is also included in this catalogue. Courtesy of the Public Library Services Branch and the Book Publishers Association of Alberta.
Read more about "Audiobooks and eBooks from 24 Alberta-based publishers."St. Patrick’s Island
Read more about "Take a stroll down Music Mile."The Library entrance leads to the Shaikh Family Welcome Gallery, featuring a wall mural and buffalo sculpture by Indigenous artists. Head into the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, or visit Library Express.
Read more about "Level 1"Upgrade your skills, take up a new hobbies, or spend time learning with family and friends. Whatever you're into, we have a free program for every age and stage of life.
Read more about "Programs for everyone"