From July 8 – 17, join us at Central Library to enjoy free Stampede activities, including live music, performances, storytimes, film screenings, and more. There's something for the whole family to enjoy!Remember, road closures will take place throughout the East Village and downtown core on July 8 to facilitate festivities, including 3 Street (in front of the Library). We recommend taking transit to visit the Library throughout Stampede week.
Read more about "Yahoo! It's Stampede week at the Library"Everyone deserves to feel the love on Valentine's Day, but what about every book? We were wondering which materials in our collection might be feeling a little left out on this special day. One particular read, Cousin Bette by Honoré de Balzac, hadn’t been taken off the shelf in a long while. We couldn’t let this phenomenal read continue to gather dust, so we did what any bibliophile would do. We signed it out for the day and took it on a Valentine’s Day adventure it would never forget!Here's what we got up to on our date with our loneliest Library book.We signed out this read from Alberta’s oldest Library, Memorial Park. Initially, we could see why someone might be hesitant to take this book out on a date. A tale of catastrophe, hatred, and revenge, Cousin Bette doesn’t come across as the most compassionate companion. Could we trust this book to not break our hearts? Well, you know what they say — nothing ventured, nothing gained. We’ve been scorned by many a cliffhanger and plot twist in the past, but we couldn’t let our hopes be dashed and give up on finding our one true book love.We spent some time getting to know each other in the Create Space, checking out all the community crafts and engaging games together. Then we played a couple of board games – Bette’s big vocabulary came in handy when we brought out the Scrabble board.It turns out this classic tale is a fan of classical music, so we signed out a few of the available instruments in the Library’s music practice room and serenaded them.As a token of our affection, we offered Cousin Bette a rose. They promised to treasure it always, even though a rose is not a bookmark.We ended our day with a tour of Central Library, sipping on hot chocolate from the café on the second floor. We could have read Bette for hours in the cozy reading nooks throughout the building.But like all good dates, this too had to come to an end. We walked Cousin Bette to the Central Library book return, knowing Library staff would make sure they got back home to Memorial Park Library safely. They gave us their ISBN number in case we ever wanted to hang out again. Speaking for ourselves, we’d be into a second borrow.Want to romance a book of your own this Valentine’s Day? Search for your perfect match among staff-curated lists on Library shelves, and on Libby.
Read more about "Stories The Loneliest Library Book"As Central Library approaches its second birthday on November 1, 2020, six Central Library patrons, visitors, and staff share their stories of the space, and reflect on how the community has made it their own in the two years since opening. Want to share your own Library Story with us? Submit it here.John Warkentin “Central is important to me because I read a lot of fiction and it’s a convenient location for me. Going to a public place for free and finding knowledge or finding a quiet moment and rest — lots of people come here just for a quiet moment and that’s a beautiful thing.” Elizabeth Cheme “Central Library is a really nice location. I love the architecture and how they mixed wood at the entrance. This is great place for me to meet my clients because I don’t work out of an office. I have also used one of its recording studios to record a video for a client because he didn’t have a budget to pay for a professional videographer and studio, so we made the video using the resources here. "The Library is important to me because it made me feel like I was not alone. When I came to Canada five years ago, I was still learning English, but the Library felt welcoming and safe. I was able to meet new people and find new ways to be creative. I even took a small business program which inspired me to become an entrepreneur. Right now, I’m running my own business as a marketing consultant and I’m here today doing some marketing research through the Central Library. The Library provides you with the tools to improve yourself. I like to check out DVDs that cover topics like self-awareness and empowerment, especially for women. This is the best place to get involved and even learn about Canadian culture.” René Kamguem “I visited the first day that Central opened, or maybe a few days before the opening, because I was volunteering with the Library. The architecture is very good, I really like it. The new Library is bigger and there is more space for people. There are lots of activities and events for everyone.” Hailey Mckevitt “I didn’t know about Central Library until I started nannying and the need sort of came. I started looking for nearby libraries and which locations were near the train line. I visit with the kids to help them choose their books — it’s become a big part of our time together. The kids really enjoy it. Books are a huge part of their learning and of their life. It allows them to generate their imagination and it’s nice to be able to have a new selection of books for them to enjoy.” Yusra Said “My first visit was actually two weeks ago. Central Library is very beautiful, has a lot of open space and open light so it doesn’t feel crowded, especially during this pandemic. And I really like the services. It’s a really supportive environment. I don’t have a printer at home so that’s one of the main services I use here. The other thing I use the Library for is sitting in this open space — it’s a different environment from working from home online. It’s really nice to be in an open space with other people. And Central has this beautiful view of the city from inside the Library.” Mark Schultz “I’d say Central Library has improved a lot and we are always working on new programs and different ways to serve the public. There was a bit of an adjustment with the move but it’s a beautiful space and has good people. I love the people here; the staff members and the patrons are wonderful. And we have some lovely art pieces around the Library!”
Read more about "Stories Six Library Patrons Reflect on Central Library ahead of Second Birthday"Preparing for kindergarten is easy with the Library.
Read more about "Get ready for school with your Library!"Preparing for kindergarten is easy with the Library.
Read more about "Get ready for school with your Library!"Is there a title we should purchase? We want to make sure the books you're interested in are available on Library shelves. If you don't see an item you're looking for in our collection, let us know! Log in to your Library account and submit a suggestion using your Library card number and PIN. You can suggest up to five titles per month. Calgary Public Library reviews suggestions for purchase for books, eBooks and eAudiobooks in consideration of popularity, budget, availability, and currency.
Read more about "Is there a title we should purchase?"Sage Hill Library opened on June 16, 2017, at 19 Sage Hill Passage NW as a starter location for the quickly developing community of Sage Hill. At just 1,700 sq. ft. this Library is small but mighty.
Read more about "History of Sage Hill Library"Library loans for three weeks. You can keep books, magazines, CDs, and audiobooks for three weeks, and DVDs and Blu-rays for one week.
Read more about "Library loans for three weeks."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.
Read more about "The Calgary Public Library Foundation supports the Library through fundraising."Every year, Library staff are recognized by their peers for their kindness, dedication, and the skill they bring to their work with the Kudos Awards. Library staff can nominate their peers for awards in eight different categories.
Read more about "Kudos to our Library Staff"Forest Lawn Library was added to the Calgary Public Library system in 1962, when the village of Forest Lawn was annexed by the City of Calgary. Originally the Forest Lawn Association Library, it was started by a group of engaged citizens and first located in the Bow River School. At the time of annexation, the location had collected more than 152,000 volumes, had 45,000 dedicated borrowers, and an annual circulation of over 867,000!
Read more about "History of Forest Lawn Library"Visit the Library on a virtual field trip!
Read more about "Bring the Library into your classroom"'\n ', 'Learn to play a musical instrument at your own pace. ArtistWorks complements the musical instrument collection available at Memorial Park Library.', 'NEW! ArtistWorks has moved to the Libby app. Download the Libby app from the ', 'App Store', ' or ', 'Google Play ', '. Sign in with your Calgary Public Library card, then scroll to the "Extras" section on the home screen.', 'Or, if you already have the app, ', 'click here', '.', 'Not sure how to start? Watch the tutorial in Niche Academy: ', 'ArtistWorks', '\n '
Read more about "'Free online music classes from ArtistWorks on the Libby app'"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"History of Southwood Library 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. Southwood is home to many return patrons, who stop by daily to chat with staff they know by name. For this reason, staff recommendations are particularly popular here, and patrons are known to read through every title suggested by their favourite staff members. Since 2012, Southwood has also been the site of our first Library community garden. Photo: Calgary Public Library Archives, Our Story in Pictures
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