From sloped walkways and street-level entry on the west side, to an elevator on the east side, the Library is accessible for all. The outside east elevator is staffed by intercom and available 24 hours a day, allowing for easy passage through the archway, connecting people between East Village and City Hall. On the west side, there is an intercom at the doors near the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall. Visitors with mobility challenges can use this intercom to contact security in order to use these doors. Or, continue up the sloped walkway to reach the main entrance. Once inside, there are elevators, sloped walkways, and stairways for visitors to move throughout the building. Elevators have braille buttons and an audible elevator signal, and stairs have tactile indicators on the railings, and on the floor at the top of the flight.
Read more about "From sloped walkways and street-level entry on the west side, to an elevator on the east side, the Library is accessible for all."Director, Corporate Services
Read more about "Paul Lane"As we launch our new 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan, it provides an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, lessons, and growth over 110 years of service. Today, Calgary Public Library is proud to be an internationally respected leader in library service and innovation, and we are just getting started.
Read more about "A Message from our CEO"We can allow free use of Library space under the following conditions:
Read more about "General Photography Rules"The Indie Author Project helps your book reach a wider audience, by sharing it with Calgary Public Library members, and other participating libraries.Need help formatting or publishing your book? Pressbooks can help you create and professionally format books, poetry, novels and any other written content into digital and print-ready formats.
Read more about "Have you always wanted to write a book?"Visit Central Library from July 7 – 16 to enjoy free activities and performances.
Read more about "Yahoo! It's Stampede!"Volunteers help Library patrons learn and practice computer skills in a one-on-one environment, including (but not limited to) the use of the Internet, software applications, coding, social media, and mobile devices. Learning looks different for every patron and may take place on Library PCs, Chromebooks, or the patron’s own personal devices.
Read more about "What will you do?"When it comes to learning the alphabet, preschoolers benefit from repeated exposure and varied practice with letters. If you’re looking for fun ways to incorporate the alphabet into your child’s day, these simple indoor games are easy to replicate at home and provide a variety of ways to engage with the alphabet.You’ll find both calm, quiet activities to keep them occupied, and more active games that will help them burn off energy. Ready? Let’s have fun with letters!Alphabet Connect-the-DotsThis simple activity promotes letter recognition and gets little bodies moving.What you’ll need: A long roll of art or butcher paper, or sheets of paper taped together, and crayons or markersWhat to do:To start, choose five or six letters to focus on (aim for a mix of letters they know well and letters that are more of a challenge). Using a long roll of paper and some crayons or markers, write the first letter you’ve chosen in random spots on the paper. Then move on to the next letter and do the same thing, until all the letters are written. Each letter should repeat about eight to ten times on the paper. Hand your preschooler a crayon and ask them to draw a line connecting the letters which are the same. For example, they may choose to start with the letter “G” and connect all of the “Gs” they see with their crayon. Source: Hands On As We Grow website Secret LettersWho doesn’t love receiving a secret message? This exciting activity combines the delight of revealing a hidden message with letter recognition practice. What you’ll need: White paper, white crayon, watercolour paint (or homemade paints made of jello powder or fruit juice), and a paintbrush What to do:Use a white crayon to write hidden letters or words on the paper. Hand the note to your child to paint over with watercolours. As they paint, the white wax of the crayon is revealed. See if they can read your message or tell you what letters they see appearing. Note: the message can be adapted to your child’s age and reading level. For toddlers, pictures and squiggles are fun to discover, while older children may be ready for words, phrases, or sentences.Source: Busy Toddler website At-Home Alphabet HuntLetters are everywhere: the cover of a book, a bottle of dish soap, the side of a box. This simple activity reminds little learners that there are letters all around them and promotes everyday reading. What you’ll need:Marker, pad of paper, pencil What to do: On a pad of paper, write out the entire alphabet with a marker in the style of a grocery list, with one letter on each line. Pass your little one the pad and pencil and go on a hunt around your house (or even your neighbourhood) together and have them check off the letters they find on their search. Can they find them all?Source: No Time for Flashcards website Fishing for LettersThis engaging activity fosters the imagination and helps preschoolers learn to recognize letters outside of their alphabetized order. What you’ll need: alphabet fridge magnets, extra magnet, string or yarn, cloth or fabric to act as “water," popsicle stick or wooden spoon, baking sheet (optional)What to do: Create a pretend fishing rod by tying an extra magnet to a piece of yarn at the end of a popsicle stick or wooden spoon, so that the magnet dangles like the hook on a fishing rod. Spread alphabet magnets over some cloth (using blue fabric is a fun touch to represent water) and go fishing for magnets! Tell your child to “stay on the shore” and pick up magnets without walking on the cloth. Each time they “catch” a letter, say the letter out loud together and put it on the fridge or a baking sheet. Once all the letters are caught, see if they can arrange them in order. Writing TrayWriting trays are a wonderful way to help children learn to write letters and practice fine motor skills.What you’ll need:Cookie sheet or a large, shallow container, flour or sprinkles, writing tool such as a spoon or cotton swab (optional)What to do:Spread a layer of flour or sprinkles over the tray and have your child write letters in the tray using either their fingers or a writing tool. Gently shake the tray to erase the letters and start again. This activity also works well for drawing shapes and numbers — or simply let them be creative and draw all kinds of pictures! Musical LettersThis activity is perfect for burning off energy while promoting gross motor co-ordination and quick letter recognition. Plus, who doesn’t love dancing to great music?What you’ll need:Painter’s tape, paper or card stock, marker, music your kids will dance toWhat to do:Using your painter’s tape, create letters on the floor in a random pattern. You don’t need to include every letter but can pick and choose which ones to focus on. Next write out the same letters individually on pieces of paper or card stock. To start, play the music (choose a song that will get your child dancing). As the music plays, let them move around the room and dance like crazy! Stop the music and hold up a letter. They must run to find the letter on the floor that matches the letter you’re holding up. Play the music again and repeat. Source: No Time for Flashcards website Have fun with these wonderful alphabet-learning games! Want even more great early literacy activities you can do at home? Be sure to check out our Library at Home section for more resources like these.Not yet a member? Sign up online for your free Library card to get access to the Library's online activities and Digital Library immediately.
Read more about "Stories Six Fun Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers"From performances to private functions, our event spaces have everything you need to make your gathering a success.
Read more about "Host your next event at Central Library."Share your skills with one of these programs Math, Science, and Technology 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. Teen Tech Lab Guide Help teens build their creative and technology skills through inquiry-based exploration. Career Coaching Work with Library patrons one-on-one to improve their job searching skills. Tech Mentors Help Library patrons one-on-one with basic computer questions. Literacy, Art, and Music Play Champions Help foster literacy in your community by sharing early literacy basics with parents and kids up to age five at the Library’s Early Learning Centres. Read With Me Help a struggling reader in Grade 1 to 6 discover the magic of reading by sharing fun books and literacy games.
Read more about "Share your skills with one of these programs Math, Science, and Technology Literacy, Art, and Music"Do you have a child starting Kindergarten this fall? Join Calgary Public Library in celebrating the exciting journey of starting school. Games, crafts and stories await as we...
Read more about "Kindergarten Family Event"Enjoy a live performance by singer-songwriter, Sidney May Weich. Part of Winter Wonderland at the Library.
Read more about "Winter Wonderland: Sidney May Weich Performs"Bring the whole family down for Harry Potter trivia at Memorial Park Library. Costumes encouraged.
Read more about "Harry Potter Trivia"