Bring your family and friends to play fun tabletop games in a relaxed, social environment. We have a great mix of board and card games available; you can see the list at...
Read more about "Family Game Time"Southwood Library opened in 1966. The decision to build it came after a group of 1,000 determined residents signed a petition to have a Library added to their neighbourhood. The majority of the location’s champions at the time were children, who would grow up in this Library, and later bring their children and grandchildren to visit. Several neighbourhood families have been patrons of this location for three generations or more.
Read more about "History of Southwood Library"Celebrate National Library Month with these books by local authors and illustrators.
Read more about "Love Your Library"These terms apply to membership for Library services, borrowing services, and use of your Library account.
Read more about "Library Services Agreement"'\n ', 'We connect people and organizations who want to make a difference with the opportunity to improve our shared community. All donations cultivate innovation and bring the Library to those who need it most.', 'Since 2011, the Library Foundation has raised more than $60 million in support of the Calgary Public Library. Our 21,500 donors are helping to build a stronger Calgary.', '\n '
Read more about "'The Calgary Public Library Foundation supports the Library through fundraising.'"Learn about the role libraries play in your community This program is an opportunity for school classes in Calgary to visit the Library location nearest them to see how it is a learning space and resource in their community. L ibrary staff will share resources and expertise, and lead hands-on activities to support students in building awareness of the role of public libraries in their school community. Visits are 45 minutes long and are conducted for one class at a time (maximum 30 students per class). Bookings can be made for up to two classes ( larger groups possible at Crowfoot only ), with an option to extend your stay with a 25-minute activity. Book borrowing is not included in your visit, but you are welcome stay with your class afterwards to do so. Opportunities may vary depending on community Library location and size of group. If you would like to bring a non-school group to the Library for a tour, please call Library Hotline.
Read more about "Learn about the role libraries play in your community"History of Fish Creek Library Fish Creek Library opened June 1, 1985. This landmark “pyramid” library was built to replace the small Macleod location that opened in 1979 and had previously served the south end of the city. It was designed by architects Ian McDougall and Ken Hutchinson, who intended the design to resemble the Rocky Mountains. However, its iconic shape was frequently compared to a pyramid, and the nickname stuck. Calgary Herald columnist Patrick Tivy described it as follows: “This impressive piece of oil-boom architecture is the closest thing in Alberta to a pharaoh’s tomb.” Responses like this proved that the location accomplished the Library’s mission of making a statement. By 1994, the location had the highest item circulation in the system. Photo: Calgary Public Library Archives, Our Story in Pictures
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On July 1, 2020, the Library moved to a permanent Fine Free model to reduce barriers to service for our members. Under this policy, no late fines will accrue, and all existing fines built up prior to July 1, 2020 have been forgiven. In recent years, over 100 major libraries in North America have transitioned to a Fine Free model, representing a commitment to accessible service. Calgary Public Library is committed to providing equitable access for all patrons. Fines are barriers that often penalize the most vulnerable in our communities. As the Library continues to see increases in digital circulation – to which fines do not apply – fine revenue continues to decline, making it possible for the Library to make this necessary change. Here are more details on what this model means for you and how it works: Due dates Members are still responsible for the items they borrow. You will continue to receive reminders when items are due and cannot be renewed. Auto-renewal and automatic returns Auto-renewals are an added benefit for our members under our Fine Free policy. Items that have no holds and/or have not reached the maximum of four renewals will renew automatically, giving members more peace of mind as well as more time with Library materials. Auto-renewed items won’t be marked as lost while in use, which reduces the amount of staff work related to lost items. Lost items and replacement costs Items that are 35 days overdue will be considered lost. Members will be billed the replacement costs of lost items, and borrowing will be suspended after a $10 balance is reached on your Library account. Wait times We do not expect wait times to increase significantly for holds following this new policy. Many libraries that have gone fine free have seen an increase in the return rate of overdue materials, and we expect wait times to reduce as well. Our staff will continue to monitor, maintain, and balance the Library’s collection as required. If you notice an item you’re waiting for has a significant hold time, you can continue to request that we order additional copies using this form.
Read more about "Stories Calgary Public Library Fine Free Model"Listen and read-along to animated story books for young children.
Read more about "TumbleBook Library"Growing up, Stephanie Mok found the Library to be a “safe haven.”Stephanie, now 27, grew up in southeast Calgary and frequented Fish Creek Library and Southwood Library. She spent most of her time after school and on weekends, from the age of 8 until she was 14, at the Library. To Stephanie, this was “a pretty critical timeline” in her life.“Honestly, it was the spot that I would come to all the time. Things in my home life were not ideal so as opposed to hanging out in the neighbourhood, I found [the Library] was an enriching place, a safer spot and also a place where you could meet up with a friend from school and not feel embarrassed,” said Stephanie. “It was kind of my little secret place I would go.”Being an only child of a single mother, who worked long hours during the evenings and weekends as a nurse, Stephanie used the Library as a place to go instead of going home to an empty house. She said her mother was comforted to know that she was at the Library, doing homework or reading about unicorns — science fiction was her favourite genre. Sitting in the Fish Creek Library today brings back memories of Stephanie’s youth. Although some things have changed, she says the Library is still a stunning space. Stephanie remembers liking that the staff and other people who frequented the Library were happy to answer questions or let her use a computer to look up things she was interested in.“I was never uncomfortable, I was always happy,” Stephanie said with nostalgia.Over time, Stephanie’s connection to the Library has changed. She used to work for United Way, where she would find volunteers to help deliver tax clinics at libraries around the city.Stephanie now works as an organizer for the Calgary Folk Music Festival, while pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work at the University of Calgary. She is also the president of Otafest, an anime convention in Calgary. As the organization doesn’t have a physical location, they’re constantly looking for places to hold meetings. The Library’s free and bookable meeting rooms are an accessible place for the group to meet.Throughout her life, the Library has been — and continues to be — an important place. “I found a safe haven, which broadened my horizons and, I believe, saved my life.”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 Library Broadened My Horizons’ Stephanie Mok’s Library Story helped her through a difficult childhood"Indigenous Voices in Library Services Nations to Nations: Indigenous Voices at Library and Archives Canada is a free multimedia e-book featuring essays and images written and curated by Indigenous staff at Library and Archives Canada (LAC). These essays offer personal interpretations of Library collection items and reflect on the unique perspectives that First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation bring to libraries. Download your copy
Read more about "Indigenous Voices in Library Services"Stream this documentary about the Library’s experiences of meeting the challenges of COVID-19.
Read more about "The Library During COVID"Seton Library has lots of room — enough room for a helicopter to fit comfortably among the shelves of books and other Library services.When the under-construction Library opens, young children will have the opportunity to explore an Alouette III helicopter, one of 11 Early Learning Centres in the Library system. A partnership with the Hangar Flight Museum provided the decommissioned helicopter. Able to fly at higher altitudes and carry seven passengers, two stretchers, or small cargo loads, the Alouette III was the choice of those who worked in mountainous regions.The incredibly successful installation of Engine 23 at Central Library has inspired other creative spaces, like the Alouette III at Seton Library. Watch the video to get a sneak peek before the Library opens in early 2019.
Read more about "Stories Seton Library Home to Alouette III Helicopter"