Calgary Public Library locations are open. Calgary Public Library locations are open, in addition to offering a wide range of virtual and contactless services . The health and safety of our employees and visitors remain our top priority, and we are committed to providing as much service as safely possible.
Read more about "Calgary Public Library locations are open."Classes can visit the Library nearest them to discover resources to support their education.
Read more about "Community Library School Tour"Borrow a Computer lets you take home a Library Chromebook or laptop for up to eight weeks. Whether you want to work on a project, take an online course, meet virtually with friends, or search the web for information, our Chromebooks and laptops can help you get it done. All you need is a valid Library membership and an internet connection at home.
Read more about "Need a Computer? Borrow one from the Library! "You can have up to five active loan requests at one time. Holds are counted against the general 50-item hold limit for Calgary Public Library members.
Read more about "Borrowing items"As part of its contribution to the Calgary community, the Library provides use of its program rooms and the Central Library’s Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall to
Read more about "The use of Calgary Public Library space is governed by a principle of free and open access to the public."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?"In honour of former Calgary Public Library CEO Bill Ptacek, who passed away earlier this year, the Calgary Public Library and Calgary Public Library Foundation are starting The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation. The Fund, created in consultation with the Ptacek Family, will support the growth of bold new ideas and initiatives at the Library in memory of this imaginative and passionate leader.Bill Ptacek (1950-2019) was a visionary who pushed libraries to evolve and respond to community needs. He believed that libraries should be vibrant, active community spaces that inspire people from all backgrounds and improve their quality of life. Bill dreamed big, bringing us striking projects like the New Adventures of Engine 23, and the Alouette III Helicopter at Seton Library. The funds in The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation will be used to support similarly remarkable ideas that honour Bill’s adventurous spirit and would have made him smile.The Fund will remain until all assets from it have been disbursed. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation can do so through donations to the Calgary Public Library Foundation.In keeping with Bill and his family’s wishes, there will not be a public memorial or formal celebration of life. Those that wish to remember Bill and celebrate his legacy can choose to walk, run and raise funds for The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation as part of the 2020 Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Charity Challenge on May 31, 2020. Bill enjoyed an active lifestyle and was an avid walker and cyclist. To honour Bill and his infectious energy, Library staff will be taking part in the marathon this year in his memory. All funds raised by our team will go towards The Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation. To donate a portion of your registration fee to the Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation, choose the Calgary Public Library Foundation as your donation of choice when you register for the marathon.Calgary Public Library Foundation is an official charity partner for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge Program. To donate a portion of your registration fee to the Calgary Public Library Foundation's Bill Ptacek Fund for Innovation, please register online.For more details on how to register and support the fund, please visit BillPtacekFund.ca
Read more about "Stories BILL PTACEK FUND FOR INNOVATION Remembering our former CEO with a new Library initiative"Large Print and Talking Books Large print book collections include best sellers, mysteries, non-fiction, and some languages other than English. These books are complete, unabridged texts with clear type in at least 13-point font. All Library locations and Libraries in Residence have some of these books as part of their collection. A selection of over 14,000 titles available as talking books, including fiction, history, and biographies. Full-length recordings of fiction and non-fiction titles are available on MP3. These materials are only available to patrons with a Special Services card.
Read more about "Large Print and Talking Books"Learn a new language or improve your English skills with interactive lessons.
Read more about "Rosetta Stone Library Solution"Marje Wing was working as manager of Memorial Park and Giuffre Family Library (then known as Alexander Calhoun Library) back in 2014, when architects first shared the plans for Calgary’s new Central Library building. Standing at the back of the room, where Calgarians had gathered for the unveiling, Marje remembers feeling blown away by the plans.Fast forward four years and Marje — who is now retired — will start leading patrons through the stunning new Library this November, as a volunteer guide for architecture tours. “I’m very excited,” she says.It’s just the latest volunteer endeavour for Marje, who retired from a nearly 35-year career at Calgary Public Library in 2015. About a year later she began volunteering at the Library.“I really believe in the Library. I love what the Library stands for,” Marje says. “This is my way of continuing to contribute to the Library.”Marje has volunteered with a variety of programs, including ESL programs, Special Events, and Colossal Playdates. “There’s such a huge range of things that you can do as a volunteer. You can find a fit with whatever your interests are,” Marje says.The same reasons that drew Marje to Calgary Public Library as an employee — that it’s a democratic institution, open to everyone — continue to inspire her as a volunteer. Plus, her new gig is a lot of fun.“I get on the floor with the babies at the playdates. I work one-on-one with an ESL student. I get to do things that are so different from when I was working,” she says. “Every time I do a shift at the Library, I come away with a bounce in my step.”Azmin Poonja, Manager, Volunteer Resources, describes Marje as a passionate and committed volunteer. “She is professional, accountable, and a natural leader. Marje is a great asset to our team of volunteers,” Azmin says.Calgary Public Library is recruiting volunteers for all libraries. If you would like to join the Library's team of volunteers, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Marje Wing Marje continues a 35-year involvement with the Library by volunteering"Stop by the Living History: Glimpses of Our Past installation to see a collection of the area’s history in a digital display.
Read more about "Imagine going to school for a week at the Library!"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Bill Ptacek passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15.Bill was a visionary who came to Calgary to bring the new Central Library to life but left his mark in ways we are still counting. He played a pivotal role in re-imagining how Calgarians connect and use libraries and he will be deeply missed.We will remember Bill for the incredible energy and vigor he brought into libraries by creating spaces that are lively, spark discussion, and are welcoming community hubs. But mostly, we will miss his infectious personality and his ability to inspire greatness in all of us.In the coming days and weeks we will determine how to best celebrate Bill’s legacy at the Calgary Public Library and his impact on our community.Our thoughts are with Bill’s family and friends.BiographyBill Ptacek joined the Calgary Public Library as its CEO in early 2014. Previously, Bill was the Director of the King County Library System in western Washington State, where he led King County to become the Library Journal's "Library of the Year" in 2011.During his time at Calgary Public Library he worked hard on developing relationships for the Library with government and community groups, and partnerships with the school boards. He also led multiple new initiatives, including a full rebranding, a new catalogue and website, a focus on safety at the Central Library, free library cards for all, the growth of the Library’s Foundation, and a refresh in the design and collections at all libraries in the system.He was passionate about early literacy initiatives, including building 12 early learning centres across Calgary and actively grew the reach of the Library through two new locations and the opening of the new Central Library on November 1, 2018.Recently, the City of Calgary named Bill as its 2018 Citizen of the Year and the Urban Libraries Council presented him with the 2019 ULC Executive Board Award.
Read more about "Stories Remembering Bill Ptacek"Drop in to the Library to get support from newcomer-serving organizations. Meet with staff for needs assessment and referrals, language training, child support, education and skills training, employment, community connections and more.
Read more about "Central Library Hours"'\n ', 'Get on the path to find a job, build your own website, start a business, improve your English, write your book, brush up on your computer skills, prepare for college, and more.\xa0', 'Cardholders have free access to courses with their Library card. Once registered, the Library is unable to drop or transfer you from a course. Please read the course requirements carefully prior to registering for a course.', 'Not sure how to start? Watch the tutorial in Niche Academy:\xa0', 'Gale Courses tutorial', '\n '
Read more about "'Free, interactive, instructor-led online courses. '"Join Elder Adrian as he shares an academic overview of the history of Indigenous science, medicine, and libraries before settler-colonial contact. There will be time for questions...
Read more about "Star Stories, Apothecaries and Libraries: Pre-Contact Americas with Elder Adrian"