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"Volunteer Resources can provide a certificate of hours or a reference letter upon request for volunteers who need a record of their Library volunteer contributions.If you need to complete community service hours, please let Volunteer Resources staff know before beginning the assignment so staff can confirm whether the request can be accommodated.Thank you for your interest in supporting the Library as a volunteer.
Read more about "Find the right volunteer opportunity for you."You’re a dyed-in-the-wool book lover. Imagine sitting down and talking books with the head of a university English department. Sounds like some kind of book lover’s dream, right?Now imagine if that English professor was just as eager to sit down with you and discuss, say, the latest book by Elizabeth Strout, creator of the literary characters Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton.Well, she is.Jacqueline Jenkins, Head, Department of English, at the University of Calgary, has joined the Calgary Public Library family of volunteers.“I love books. I love reading books. I love talking about reading books,” says Jenkins who began volunteering with the Library’s Book Discussion Group program in January of this year. “Working with the Library on something I love to do, but that is different from what I do every day, lets me meet an entirely new set of book lovers and engage with a whole new world of ideas and perspectives.”A confluence of events—including a talk by Mayor Nenshi during which he encouraged Calgarians to look for opportunities to do three things for Canada as part of the sesquicentennial, as well as working with two University staff as they developed program content for the Library—occurred at just the right time and gave Jacqueline the encouragement she needed to look into volunteer opportunities with the Library.“Calgary is a city of volunteers and, for me, volunteering with the Library provides a perfect way for me to give back to a city that has given me so much,” says Jenkins, an Ontario-born resident of Calgary for 20 years.Her tip to Calgarians looking to volunteer with Calgary Public Library? From the myriad opportunities available, find the thing that resonates with you and makes the best use of you. Then give what you can to make it meaningful to you and those around you.Jacqueline Jenkins has done just that.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Jacqueline Jenkins Jacqueline has found a whole new world of ideas and perspectives to engage with through volunteering"Library staff are big music lovers! Check out what we're listening to with these playlists you can stream for free on Freegal.
Read more about "Browse our latest playlists"The use of Calgary Public Library space is governed by a principle of free and open access to the public.
Read more about "Room Use Guidelines"Share your skills with one of these programs Coding Buddies & Code Club Help students in Grades 1 to 6 learn the basics of coding and to create their own game, or design a website. Math Quest Help students and their families as they complete numeracy quests throughout the Library. School Support: Math Help students in Grades 5 to 9 with their homework, and foster good study habits to inspire lifelong learning. Make it Messy: Science Help students ages six to 12, with hands-on STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities. Library staff lead the program which uses household items so children can re-create the activities at home and reinforce learning. Volunteers must be 15 years old and up. Make it Messy: Art Help children aged six to 12 conduct arts & crafts activities. Library staff leads the program including storytime and team games. This program is for volunteers ages 15 and up. Reading Buddies Provide one-on-one reading support and fun literacy activities for young readers in Grades 1 to 3. Creative Writing Club Foster a love of literacy with students ages eight to 14 by playing literacy games and working on creative writing projects and school writing assignments. Special Events Help greet guests, provide information, and complete other tasks at special events at the Library.
Read more about "Share your skills with one of these programs"Rozsa Arts at the Library features emerging artists for virtual or in-person performances as restrictions allow.
Read more about "Call for Performing Artists"Join the Library’s new Musical Artist in Residence, Emma Harding, as she introduces you to the basics of voice and how to healthily and confidently get the most from your...
Read more about "Musical Artist in Residence 2022: Beginner Singing"Find book recommendations, tips for hosting, discussion questions to get you started, and more from the American Library Association.
Read more about "ALA Resource Guide"The Library provides tools and spaces for those engaged with intellectual freedom and the exchange of ideas to receive insight and create connections to move forward.
Read more about "Priorities"Back in grade 3, Matthew Tse signed up for the Computer Buddies program through Calgary Public Library and the experience altered the course of his young life.“I remember when I was one of those small buddies, not knowing anything about computers,” says Matthew. “My big buddy taught me everything I wanted to know and more. It was probably one of the best things that had happened in those dreary elementary school days. And so, I like to share with all my 'little buddies' this awesome feeling that I had felt when I was their age.”Soon to start Grade 10 at Western Canada High School, Matthew has been volunteering with the library for three years in the Computer Buddies program.Along with his early positive foray into volunteer supported programs at the Library, his two older siblings spoke highly of their own experience as Library Volunteers. With his mom’s encouragement, Matthew filled out the Volunteer Application.“It’s fun. I meet new people, and I learn new things through coaching,” shares Matthew. “Kids are used to using iPhones, not computers, so it’s great to see their typing improve and to see them having fun learning.”With a love of math and science, Matthew feels that being able to volunteer in a program that matches his interests is more like an extension of his hobbies. While it can be a balancing act to make his schedule work, he believes that it’s not about finding time; it’s about planning ahead and enjoying what he does with every moment of his time.Matthew is not alone. Forty-five per cent of Library Volunteers are between the ages of 12-17. Together with their adult counterparts, they contribute 53,000+ volunteer hours annually and so much more. “I want to demonstrate values like love, patience, commitment, and determination. I show these by patiently coaching my little buddies, and helping them with any challenges they face."
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Matthew Tse From little buddy to big buddy, Matthew has a long history with the Computer Buddies program"Preference will be given to posters that: Are educational, cultural, or recreational in nature, or supply non-partisan information. Are pertinent to the city or local community. Are professional, error-free, and appropriately sized for bulletin boards. Represent organizations that do not pay to advertise or promote the event or activity elsewhere. The Library cannot accept posters that include: Fundraising or volunteer recruitment material of any kind. Programs, classes, events, or activities that parallel the Library’s programming. Advertisements for commercial products or services, including free events designed to generate future profits or create customer lists. Political or spiritual/religious material of any kind, including material that advocates action on behalf of a political or spiritual/religious organization. Formats such as periodicals or newsletters. Material that violates the Library’s standards.
Read more about "Preference will be given to posters that:"Whether you’re interested in learning more about the signing of Treaty 7, Calgary’s boom-and-bust past, exploring your house’s history, who Deerfoot Trail was named after, or what Calgary looked like at the turn of the century, you’ll find the answers in this collection of community heritage and family history resources.Visit Calgary's Story, presented by Walt and Irene DeBoni, on Level 4 of Central Library.
Read more about "Bringing the city’s history and heritage to life."Sensory play lays an important foundation for your child's learning. These activities from our librarians and staff, which can all be done with materials found around your house, encourage brain development, open-ended thinking, fine motor skill building, and even language learning.
Read more about "Kickstart your child's love of reading"Your items will automatically renew the morning of their due date, up to four times. If you receive email notifications from the Library, an email will be sent on the due date to let you know whether the auto-renewal was successful.
Read more about "Your items automatically renew."